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2027 Honda Prelude: The Hybrid Coupe Has Returned

Honda Prelude Hybrid riding in a road surrounded by mountains.

2027 Honda Prelude: The Hybrid Coupe Has Returned 

The 2027 Honda Prelude is back, which is good news for anyone who remembers when 2-door coupes were a normal part of the automotive landscape instead of something you explained to younger relatives. Honda has revived the name as a hybrid sport coupe producing 200 total system hp while returning an EPA-estimated 44 mpg combined. For drivers around Germantown, MD, the interesting part isn't simply that the Prelude has returned.  

It Looks Like a Coupe Because It Is One 

At 178.4 inches long, 74.0 inches wide, and only 53.4 inches tall, the Prelude has the low, wide proportions you'd expect from a sport coupe. Standard 19-inch Berlina Black alloy wheels wear 235/40 R19 all-season tires, while flush-mounted door handles and LED lighting keep the exterior clean. Inside are leather-trimmed front sport seats with blue accent stitching, heated front seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, sport pedals, and dual-zone automatic climate control. There's even a practical side to all this: the rear seat folds 60/40, and the cargo area provides 15.1 cubic feet of space for luggage, groceries, or all the things people claim coupes can't carry. 

The Hybrid System Has 200 Total System HP 

A 2.0L Atkinson-cycle 4-cylinder works with Honda's two-motor hybrid system to produce 200 total system hp through the front wheels. The gasoline engine develops 141 hp and 134 lbs. ft. of torque, while the electric drive motor generates 181 hp and 232 lbs. ft. of torque. Yet the Prelude still manages EPA estimates of 46 mpg city, 41 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined. In other words, Honda has created a sport coupe that can pass a lot of gas stations, which isn't traditionally the first skill listed on the sport-coupe résumé. 

The Chassis Hardware Is Where Things Get Serious 

Honda could have stopped with the coupe body and hybrid powertrain, but it didn't. The Prelude receives a dual-axis MacPherson-strut front suspension design shared with the Civic Type R, paired with a multi-link rear suspension and Adaptive Damper System. Brembo® 4-piston aluminum front brake calipers clamp 13.8-inch front brake discs, while variable-ratio electric power steering is designed to sharpen response. Comfort, GT, Sport, and Individual drive modes allow drivers to alter vehicle characteristics. That's a significant collection of hardware for a car capable of returning 44 mpg combined, and it shows that the Prelude's performance credentials extend well beyond its styling. 

S+ Shift Gives the Hybrid Something to Shift 

The Prelude's direct-drive hybrid arrangement doesn't operate like a conventional multispeed transmission, so Honda created S+ Shift to simulate the sensation and response of gear changes through steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Activate the system and the power meter becomes a tachometer while simulated upshifts and downshifts add another layer of interaction. GT and Sport modes further alter powertrain response and sound. Is it necessary? No. Neither are paddle shifters, sport pedals, or most of the things that make driving more entertaining, which is precisely why people enjoy them. 

The Cabin Technology Comes Fully Loaded 

A 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and 9-inch touchscreen are standard, along with Google built-in, Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Autoâ„¢, wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and an 8-speaker Bose® premium audio system with a subwoofer. Honda Sensing® is also standard, including Collision Mitigation Braking Systemâ„¢, Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Blind Spot Information System, and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor. There's no need to climb through a complicated trim ladder to obtain the core technology. 

Meet the 2027 Prelude at Criswell Honda 

Drivers around Germantown, MD, can visit Criswell Honda to explore the 2027 Prelude, compare its Hybrid and Hybrid Two-Tone configurations, and take a closer look at the suspension and braking hardware behind Honda's revived coupe. Browse available Honda inventory and schedule a test drive online to experience its 200 total system hp, S+ Shift system, and Adaptive Damper System from the driver's seat. 


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