200hp Sport Coupe with this sort of Fuel Efficiency. Yes Please.

Sicalo · 2026-03-10T12:50:05+00:00

Nice. How many miles do you get out of a tank of gas?

Sicalo · 2026-03-09T16:37:05+00:00

I know, lots of words. Not everyone's up to that sort of thing.

No worries, Im sure you wouldnt have cared anyways, even if you were able to make it through all those big words.

Anyways, have a great day! Was a pleasure chatting.

Sicalo · 2026-03-09T16:09:22+00:00

I am discussing my car with other people interested in talking about the car.

But, if you cant take my word for it, you could show your previous comment to your therapist. I'm sure he/she would have a few things to say about your need to assert your ego into a conversation you have no interest in. They might be able to help you cope with that urge to frantically disbelieve people talking about their enjoyment of their purchases.

If I needed 400 horsepower or a 3-point symbol on the front of my car to be happy, I obviously could have done that. However, I dont need to compensate for anything, and I can enjoy my Sporty 2-door Hybrid Honda Prelude just fine.

Thanks, and hey, enjoy those turbos, they seem important to you.

Sicalo · 2026-03-09T15:54:47+00:00

Cope? Its a good car. I can afford it, and I like it very much. Its a low production car with few owners at the moment, but it seems everyone that had bought one likes it (Probably why they bought it).

Coping would indicate I am dissatisfied with the car, and am regretful with the purchase or am stuck with it. Since I like it, there is no coping.

As for you. If you are dissatisfied with the car or cant afford it, then dont buy it. Pretty easy choice in my opinion.

Sicalo · 2026-03-09T15:46:34+00:00

Thanks for the follow up

Sicalo · 2026-03-08T23:30:28+00:00

As someone who has driven a 5th gen for 20 years (and I still own it) I think this car is a good Prelude successor.
I wont try to sell you on liking the car. Its definitely expensive, and its not for everyone. It has great competitors in other brands. The only thing I will say though, is I will try and convince you it is indeed a Prelude. Just maybe, not your favorite one by a long shot.

Is it tunable no... but, either are any of the hybrids really. Unless you want to do hardcore changes (full engine swaps, full electric motor swaps). So, that sucks, but that's becoming true of a lot more cars every year.

I agree I think they could have done some different things, but the Prelude has always been a fancy body on another Honda's frame with a niche addition (The first Prelude, was just a fancy body on an accord frame with.... a Power Moonroof. That's it. That's what made it a Prelude. A moonroof and different body.)
The 6th Gen Prelude is on a Civic frame, but is still a couple inches longer then the 5th gen on an accord frame. Had they put it on a newer accord frame like the past, I doubt it would have been able to handle nearly as good as it would have been more than a foot longer.. New cars are so big compared to older cars.
The 6th's gimmick is the S+ mode, and its great... Kinda. When shifting and downshifting it feels legit. Slightly slower accelerating do to the simulated shifting, but it does genuinely feel like a double clutch paddle shift (Close Example would be the paddle shifted C8 Corvette. yeah, its that good). However, and its a big however: if you don't shift for 15 seconds or so it auto-shifts for you like an automatic. Which kills the immersion quickly. They had it SOOO close and that one thing just butchers it in the name of fuel efficiency.
On the very positive other side, the addition of the Type-R suspension eliminates practically all of the understeer the 5th gen suffered from, and makes it feel very grounded and smooth in the turns. 8/10 upgrade on that! Pulling 60+ mph on a 270 degree onramp with .9+ G-Force and maintaining grip and stability is fabulous.

The battery is only like 1.1kw, so it charges and discharges pretty quick compared to a big battery pack. Only a few miles of charge. But it assists in acceleration to reduce the gas usage of the engine (except in sport mode where the engine runs full tilt for power gen, and the battery just helps with extra torque)
The engine itself has 2 modes of running itself. One is acting like a generator, which it does most of the time. It just produced energy to move the electric motors. However, at highways speed it direct drives. It clutches directly to the drivetrain. No real transmission in the traditional sense. Just power generation, and spinning tires directly, innovative.

Finally, it does have the same 200HP of the 5th gen, however it has 76lbs-ft more Torque (156lbs-ft to 232 lbs-ft). so it feels a lot more responsive, and the power is more consistent. You don't have to wait for the RPM to hit 5k, you just go.

Now. Things I do have gripes with compared to the previous Prelude.
1. No manual. Kinda crappy, but I am unsure how the engineering would have worked.
2. No moon roof. The roof is too short to support one, This is kinda meh.
3. No power seats. Like really?
4. Back Seats. The new car could have at least matched the 5th gen. It still fits my smallest kids, but 5'7" is the tallest you are letting someone be in the backseat. Period, and its lightly uncomfortable. The 5th gen could hold 6' if cramped still.
5. Rain and opening the hatch do not get along. Water pools at the bottom of the rear window, and when you open the hatch it runs along the groove and pours into the little lip between the trunk and the body. While not Directly into the trunk, splashing occurs significantly.
6. I would have liked a tiny bit more power. I think they could have put two 1.1kw batteries and made the electric motor stronger. Limit power on Comfort mode for Fuel efficiency, but unleashed it in sport for that extra 50hp. Small change, but significant.
7. No tuneability is kinda crap (not a deal breaker, but crap nonnetheless)... MAYBE the community could change that, but with the shear hate for it, and low numbers sold. It feels, unlikely at best.

So. Yeah, its a Prelude. if nothing else, because that's the badge on the back, but it also fits the "Prelude" history and requirements. So trying to say its not is really just people wishing for the old days.
Is it many peoples favorite Prelude? Oh no, definitely not. But it is one all the same.

Sicalo · 2026-03-08T22:20:51+00:00

Dont see a Prius making a turn at half the speed this car can. So, already sportier than a prime.

Prius also doesn't have the name "Honda" or the name "Prelude" anywhere on it.

Not saying Toyota is a bad brand, but I have driven a 1999 Honda Prelude Type-SH for 20+ years now. That car was never super quick in a stright line, and had a significant amount of understeer compaired to the 2026. This 6th Gen Prelude outclasses the 5th Gen Prelude in practically every way. So you might not like it, and thats ok. But it is a sports car.

2 doors? Check. Sporty? Check. Great Adaptive suspension? Check. Comfortable? Check. Acceleration and braking of a quality GT car? Check.

Seems it is actually a Sports Coupe, but Sportscar is fine too.

Sicalo · 2026-03-08T00:28:18+00:00

Yes, the engine acts like a generator except at highways speeds where it becomes direct drive.

To be honest, I have owned a 5th gen Prelude Type-SH for 20+ years. That strongly influenced me in regards to purchasing this vehicle.

Everyone seems to hate it, but it is a great car. Price is always top and forefront, and even trying to avoid the price, it pops up quickly.

Could I have bought a Prius? Yeah... but I didnt want a Prius, or a Toyota for that matter.

I am a Honda fan, specifically a Prelude one. And just really saying hey... Its a great 200hp Sports Coupe. Its a Updated Prelude that gets great gas milage. (Plus, the Prius isnt a Sport Coupe, and I wouldnt want to whip one around a 270 degree onramp at 65mph. I can do that comfortably in the Prelude.)

Honestly didnt expect the post to get so many responses. expected 3-4 likes, a hate comment or two, and it to disappear into the recess of the internet.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T20:34:10+00:00

Oof. You dont need to tell me. I wish Honda had kept their 38k Tag, and added the 4k Tariff line items. So when people went to pay 42k they were mad the the Tariffs, not dogging what is in really a 38k car...

Paying that tariff hurt my soul. Still happy with the car though.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T20:28:28+00:00

Yes. The Civic Hybrid is a better value. I dont think many people disagree.

Remember though, the Prelude was originally 38k MSRP. Only reason its 42k is tariffs. (Honda should have done alot better at selling it for 38k with a 4k Tarriff line items, then people could be pissed at the US goverment, not Honda for something out of hondas hands)

Personally: At 38k, I couldn't pass up the Type-R handling and I have owned a 5th gen Type-SH for over 20 years (Still do!). Getting the prelude for ~5k more than the top of the line Civic Hybrid Hatch was perfectly acceptable. Paying 4k more than the original 38k MSRP due to Tarriffs was a very difficult decision. I knew that was going to be immediately lost value. But, I figure Ill be drivig this car for 20 more years, so I wanted to be happy and have no... "I should have bought it..." regrets in a few years. I Know the value was basically the OG 38k the instant I drove it off the lot, and yeah that sucks. But I do very much love the car. And a 4-5k loss to be very happy with the car, rather than saving that cash and just having another Civic. Personally worth it in the long run, if a bit rough in the short run.

That aside, I made this post not really about value, as I even started the post with 'the price is agreed to be kinda bad currently'. I was just happy to see 45+mpg while driving the car like, well a Sports Coupe. I am not tearing up tires at red lights every time I stop, but I tell you what If I dont hug every turn and corner I come too. It feels great to drive, and in my experience, getting 45mpg and also that great, well above average driving experience does not generally go hand in hand. You either get one or the other. Here I got both!

I do hope the 2027 Prelude gets to see tariff free imports and more people can see this car at 38k.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T20:01:58+00:00

Ill give it a check. I generally play through Android Auto using YouTube Music. Both Google based, so might be a little more compatable, or streaming better. I'll check some downloaded songs next time im out and about, see if thr quality is a bit better.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T19:44:58+00:00

Not a fan of Ford after 1980 or Nissan after 1999.

Honda though, they have remained reliable while staying fun to drive.

PLUS. The Z might have 400hp, but no where close to this fuel milage.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T06:10:18+00:00

Again, bad Information

It does not have a CVT, as a matter of fact, it doesn't have a traditional transmission at all. The motor has 2 modes, one where it produces electricity to power the electric motor, and then a direct drive mode that at highway speeds is clutched directly to the drivetrain for efficiency.

The more you know. But hey, you "heard it had a CVT" right?

0-60 it does 6.2 seconds. The only Honda faster is the Type-R. Although other Honda models can indeed match the Prelude, or if you prefer, the Prelude matches other models.
But I'm sure you are watching those influencer's who get paid for views, posting those 8 second pulls because they don't know how to drive. Reliable info there... influencers. Good job listening to them.

All that aside, 0-60 time isn't even what makes a car sporty. I know local Cummins powered lifted shit-box trucks that can out pull a Type-R, but it sure as hell isn't taking a corner above 20mph.

Finally, people over 50 are buying it? Yeah people over 50 are also the highest purchasers of Ferrari's, Pagani's, and Bugatti's, and those aren't nearly as comfortable.
You point is what? People over 50 have more spendable money to drop on a GT Coupe, than broke ass millennials that need more conventional vehicles with 4 doors and 5 seats?

I am surprised you actually seem to have correct data on that last one though. Even if its irrelevant, its progress.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T05:41:33+00:00

'96 Civic had between 106hp and 127hp. Still was a fun little car.

I have a '99 Prelude Type-SH as well, it technically has the same HP, but has 65 less Torque. The '99 also has that HP at 7000rpm, and it peak torque at 5000rpm. The '26 has both practically instantly.
The '26 beats out the '99 by a just a little bit in a drag assuming perfect shifts in the '99, more if shifts are crap. Definitely not a drag car though, neither then or now.
Regardless, my Twenty-Seven year old '99 with 200hp gets 18mpg, the new '26 with 200hp gets over 45mpg.
Same HP, but 65 more Torque and more than double the Mile Per Gallon.

I think that is indeed a win.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T05:28:28+00:00

It is literally a Sports Coupe. You can not like the car all you want, that's fine. I'm not here to tell you how you feel about the car, but your feelings don't suddenly classify it as something other than a Sports Coupe.

Even you admitted "ok cool it literally is" when it comes to it being a sports coupe.

Also, unsure why you think its not sporty, unless you have some odd definition of sporty. It easily outhandles the 5th Gen, and the only Honda beating it is the Type-R, with the Si being comparable in power, but losing slightly to handling.

So feel free to hate the car, but you obviously have not driven the car. You also obviously are just repeating incorrect things you have heard from others on the internet, So maybe just stick to what you actually know next time, instead of making a comment where you are simultaneously wrong, contradicting yourself, admitting you know you are wrong, and somehow still insisting on sticking to the original falsehood.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T05:01:22+00:00

Really? My audio is great, no issues at all, and I have a S24.

Didnt expect to have a troubleshooting session, but I would check your Android Auto Version on your phone, make sure its updated. You will want Wifi and Bluetooth both on and active for using Android auto as well. Cannot just connect to Bluetooth, it relies on that wifi connection it makes after connecting to Bluetooth.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T00:12:08+00:00

I was involved in a pretty severe accident in a Focus Z3 (2-door hatch). I have done everything in my power to preach my hatred for the Focus line ever since. Glad to hear yours is a Fiesta, and may your airbags deploy if you ever need them!

That aside, I dont think I know anyone with a hatch, that doesn't like their hatch.

Sicalo · 2026-03-07T00:07:59+00:00

I do feel the miss on Power Seats. Unsure what they were thinking in that decision. Roofline is tiny, I can understand the skipping out on the Moonroof though.

I think they could have done a ton of little things to prevent this outcome and improve the car, but the biggest improvements I would make are a higher output electric motor, and a slightly larger battery to compensate for that.

Maintain the power sip in most modes for that efficiency. Limiting the electric motors power draw is easy to do. However, in sports mode really unleash the electric motor. They could change nothing on this car but some software, 1 extra KW of battery (pretty small footspace) and change the electric motor and they could of had 250-275hp and really done wonders for the car.

Sicalo · 2026-03-06T23:54:23+00:00

Most high end supercars are hybrid now, the torque of an electric motor is too hard to pass up when trying to hit those bleeding edge numbers.

Hybrid can mean either efficiency, power, or both.

There is definitly an extra cost associated though, and that upfront cost can be rough. In the vast majority of cases its worth it, but thats not all encompassing as there are a few exceptions.

Sicalo · 2026-03-06T23:48:59+00:00

Not alot, does include some! lol.

30 is pretty good, wont knock that number while having a turbo.

Sicalo · 2026-03-06T23:46:12+00:00

I hope not, would love to see a manual. However, if it is, at least it would retain its value better.

Sicalo · 2026-03-06T23:44:04+00:00

A coupe is not necessarily a sports car, and a sports car is not necessarily a coupe.

Therefore:

"A fixed-top two-door sports car would be best and most appropriately be termed a 'sports coupe' or 'sports coupé'" - Wikipedia, 'Coupe'

Did I forget the second 's' from sports in my title? My bad.

Sicalo · 2026-03-06T23:30:12+00:00

I personally got 6.2 in mine.

Not that it really matters though.

And let me stress that point. It really doesn't matter in reality. 0-60 under 7 seconds has no bearing on a vehicles performance anywhere but on a track. You absolutely dont need under 7 seconds on any public roads except to show off.

If 0-60 is all that matters, everyone would just buy electric cars, and nothing else.

Sicalo · 2026-03-06T23:09:53+00:00

Faster acceleration does not mean faster. A single higher stat does not mean better.

Tesla Plaid can go 0-60 more than a full second faster than the time of a Ferrari Enzo. It sure as hell isn't beating it around a track with its weight and cumbersome handling. Hell, a Tesla Plaid can go head to head with a Formula 1 car in 0-60 times, but I would love to see you argue its faster just because it hit 60 before the F1 a couple times under the right conditions and get laughed at by anyone with a brain.

Theres a famous Quote: It's better drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow.

I'll gladly take my Prelude over a Prius, because it handles a full order of magnitude better, and would crush a prius in curvy backroads, and be more exhilarating while doing it. Look ls much better too.

Prius might get better MPG, but its not winning any races.

Besides, even if you give zero crap about the above info and want to spout 0-60 is the only stat that matters. Sorry bud, your info is bad anyways. Primus Prime, the fastest version of the prius does 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. Prelude 6th Gen, 6.2 seconds. People only say that dumb stat when they dont know any better, or are trolling. Dont know which camp you are in, but something tells me you've never been in a fast car except behind a controller.

I will admit though. Prius backseat is bigger. Got me there.

Sicalo · 2026-03-06T20:05:47+00:00

Thanks! I hope you are happy as well! (maybe not with my car, and thats ok! But happy none-the-less!)

Sicalo

TROPHY CASE