Honda Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI) has opened reservations for the MY26 Honda Prelude today, February 27, 2026, marking the local return of the storied nameplate as an electrified sports coupe after its discontinuation in other markets in 2001. The model is being positioned as a modern bridge between nostalgia and contemporary, market-ready technology.
The new Prelude was developed around the concept of ‘Unlimited Glide’, with an emphasis on comfort for long drives. A low ride height, light proportions, and clean outward visibility are meant to make it easy to place on the road, while its touring-focused chassis is backed by suspension components derived from the Civic Type R to balance ride comfort with sharper, more precise handling.
Headlining the car’s tech debut is S+ Shift, a new feature aimed at making hybrid driving feel more interactive. Unlike the usual paddle operation on hybrid models that primarily adjusts regenerative braking levels, S+ Shift enables virtual gear changes, reinforced by coordinated visual, audio, and tactile cues including meter display transitions, virtual engine sounds, and seat vibrations.
Despite its coupe profile, the Prelude is framed as more than a ‘weekender’, with practicality pitched as a core part of the package. The cabin and cargo area are described as accommodating everyday errands and leisure gear, with space cited for groceries, two (2) golf bags, and even two (2) surfboards. Power comes from Honda’s e:HEV full hybrid system, and the car carries a combined fuel economy rating of 25.6 km/LGe based on DOE certification.
For the Philippine market, the Prelude is expected in a single variant, the 2.0 e:HEV E-CVT. Color choices include Moonlit White Pearl, Rallye Red, Racing Blue Pearl, Meteoroid Gray Metallic, and Crystal Black Pearl, with Moonlit White Pearl noted as new and exclusive to the Prelude. Pricing is still not official, though it is being floated at an unconfirmed P2,498,000.
