Prelude’s Slow Start
The new Honda Prelude has generated plenty of buzz, yet one of its first real-world outings raised an eyebrow among performance-minded readers. In Japan, an owner ran the car from 0-62 mph in about 9.2 seconds. That’s a lot slower than one might expect from a machine built around a hybrid powertrain similar to the Civic Hybrid.
What makes this more puzzling is the tech behind the setup: a 2.0-litre engine paired with a two-motor hybrid system, producing around 200 hp, driving the front wheels, and weighing roughly 3,200 lbs. Under the skin, there’s also the front suspension borrowed from the Civic Type R. So on paper, the recipe looks better than the nine-second run suggested.
But here’s the kicker: Honda deliberately did not equip the Prelude with a dedicated launch control system. That means owners had to rely on pedal-coordination tricks previously seen in the Civic Hybrids to get off to the best start.
Actually Quicker Without S+ Shift
The story doesn’t end at the slow launch. The same Japanese owner returned with a follow-up test, this time applying the brake-and-throttle technique to mimic launch behaviour and disabling the S+ Shift in Sport mode. The result: a time of 7.2 seconds for a 0-62 mph sprint. The two-second improvement pointed to something deeper than raw power.
It turns out the difference may stem from the car’s new S+ Shift mode. Honda designed this to recreate a performance-driving feel in its hybrid architecture – paddle shifters, rev-matching, “gear” holds, down-shift blips, the lot.
Yet here’s the paradox: the system that’s meant to heighten engagement appears to hamper straight-line performance when left fully active. The owner’s method effectively disabled or sidestepped parts of that system, freeing the car to accelerate more aggressively.
In short, the Prelude can sprint quicker, but only if you override what was meant to enhance the experience.
Still Behind But Closing In
Even at 7.2 seconds to roughly 0-62 mph, the Prelude doesn’t yet match the sprint figure posted by the 2026 Civic Sport Touring Hybrid – recorded at 6.2 seconds to 60 mph by Car & Driver. Of note, this is owner-test territory, not Honda’s official claim, so there’s room for variability depending on surface, temperature, battery state, and driver skill.
From the perspective of performance purists, yes, the Prelude trails. But from a broader view, this test shows the margin is narrower than it first appeared – provided you know how to drive it.
