2026 Honda Prelude First Drive: Sporty Handling, Lacking Power?

First Drive Impressions of the 2026 Honda Prelude

• 🚗 The 2026 Honda Prelude is presented as a sport coupe, with a focus on its handling capabilities on twisty roads.
• ⚡ While the car offers instant torque from a dead stop, it lacks sufficient power coming out of corners, which is a key differentiator from a true sports car.

Performance and Handling Dynamics

• 🏎️ The Prelude features a simulated 8-speed automatic transmission with sport plus shift mode, which performs the simulated shifts automatically and effectively.
• 💡 A lower center of gravity, due to the lithium-ion battery pack located under the passenger seat, contributes to its sublime handling.
• ⛰️ The car utilizes Continental Extreme Contact tires and Brembo brakes up front, providing excellent grip and braking performance.
• ⚠️ A notable drawback is the lack of torque when accelerating out of higher-speed corners, making it feel sluggish in those situations.

Driving Experience and Comparisons

• 🛣️ The Prelude's suspension, derived from the Civic Type R, effectively combats body roll and nose dive, offering a well-controlled ride.
• 💬 Despite its impressive handling, the reviewer explicitly states it is not a sports car, wishing it had more power, perhaps around 350 horsepower, to be a knockout.
• 💰 Compared to other sports cars like the Nissan Z or Toyota Supra, the Prelude is positioned at a lower price point ($42,000) but doesn't offer the same level of performance.
• ⛽ On highways or straight roads, the Prelude is a comfortable car with great MPGs, but its true identity is not that of a sports car.

Final Thoughts and Community Engagement

• 🤔 The reviewer encourages viewers to share their thoughts on whether handling alone is sufficient to define a sports car and what they would like to see improved in the Prelude.
• 🤝 The video thanks Steven Flood for his videography and for enduring the twisty road action from the back seat.