A surprisingly high level of interest in Honda's reborn Prelude has surfaced from those who remember it from their childhood.
Early demand for the reborn Honda Prelude sports car in Japan has exceeded expectations – despite a price in its home market similar to the faster and more practical Civic Type R hot hatch – clocking up 2400 orders in its first month.
And – as with many sports cars, but contrary to popular belief – it is "customers in their 50s and 60s" who represent the top buyer demographic for the Prelude, according to Honda Japan.
The tally of 2400 orders is eight times the brand's "monthly sales target", though how it translates to wait times – and if they now stretch well into 2026 – is unclear.
Whether this demand in Japan – so fervent that some showrooms have currently suspended orders – will have an impact on the Prelude's planned mid-2026 arrival in Australia is also unclear.
Honda said it will “take measures, including increasing production, to allow as many customers as possible to place orders”.
Japanese order data shows that buyers are looking at a Prelude as a second or weekend car.
The majority of customers thus far have opted for Moonlit White Pearl paint (63 per cent), followed by Meteoroid Grey Metallic (16 per cent), Crystal Black Pearl (11 per cent), and Flame Red (10 per cent). The blue finish shown above is not sold in Japan.
The Prelude, due in Australia mid-next year, will be powered by the same hybrid system as the Civic e:HEV, pairing a 2.0-litre engine with two electric motors for a combined output of 135kW/315Nm.
However, while the Prelude will not receive a performance boost, it will be aided by brakes and suspension componentry borrowed from the Civic Type R.
Pricing for Australia has yet to be announced.
Ilana is a Melbourne-based journalist who was previously a copywriter in the Big Apple. Having moved to Melbourne for her Master of Journalism, she has written articles about food, farm machinery, fashion, and now the fast and furious. Her dream car has been a Mini Cooper since the fifth grade, eyeing its style and petite size.
