Sorry: A Cheaper Honda Prelude Probably Isn't Happening

Honda says a cheaper Prelude isn’t happening right now, but that the company is 'listening to reactions.'

2026 Honda Prelude

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Jan 27, at 11:00am ET

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the breakdown

Honda says the price of the Prelude is 'set right.'
The company suggests that a cheaper version isn't in the works.
But, Honda is reportedly 'listening to reactions.'

There’s no two ways around it: the 2026 Honda Prelude is expensive. While we’re quite fond of Honda’s new hybrid coupe, a starting price of $43,195 for just 200 horsepower is a tough sell for most buyers. And unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that price is coming down anytime soon.

In an interview with The Drive, Prelude development manager Tomoyuki Yamagami acknowledged concerns surrounding the car’s cost. That said, Yamagami-san also maintained that Honda believes the pricing is appropriate for the market.

"Initially, we got a similar reaction from the media [in Japan], mostly saying, 'it’s very pricey,'" Yamagami-san said. "We heard that comment a lot. But the actual consumer response was that we sold five times more than we expected."

2026 Honda Prelude First Drive Review

2026 Honda Prelude

Photo by: Jeff Perez / Motor1

To be fair, Honda never planned to sell the Prelude in huge numbers. The company is targeting roughly 2,000 units per year, and in Japan, all 2,000 cars were spoken for in the model’s first year. In the US, Honda sold 174 units during the Prelude’s first full month on sale (November)—a figure the company admits exceeded expectations.

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Still, there may be a small glimmer of hope for a more affordable Prelude down the line. According to Yamagami-san, Honda is "listening to reactions" and "thinking about the next step." Here's hoping.

2026 Honda Prelude First Drive Review

Source: Jeff Perez / Motor1

Motor1's Take: The new Prelude is a genuinely good car, but its price puts it out of reach for many buyers. If Honda truly wants to increase production and broaden its appeal, a cheaper version would make a lot of sense—though it could take years, if it happens at all.

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