Honda's New Prelude Recorded 0 To 62 Times Slower Than a Base Corolla, But Is This Accurate? | Carscoops

      While it was widely anticipated that the Prelude would not be the quickest model, a test conducted in Japan allegedly showed it taking over nine seconds to accelerate to 62 mph.

      A Japanese tester reportedly recorded the Prelude's time at more than 9 seconds to reach 62 mph.

      The hybrid coupe is considerably heavier and less powerful than the Toyota GR86.

      A launch in the US is scheduled for late fall, but crucial details are still not disclosed.

      The Honda Prelude is making a comeback and is set to hit US dealerships later this fall. However, customers may find that its sporty design does not translate into noteworthy performance.

      According to a recent video from Japan, the car reportedly accelerates from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in 9.08 seconds, with another run in Sport mode recording 9.10 seconds.

      The Launch Control Uncertainty

      It remains uncertain whether the Prelude features a launch control mechanism, whether through a dedicated mode or a specific pedal sequence (refer to the Civic hybrid video below), or if it was utilized during these tests. Without this context, it's hard to evaluate how typical these numbers truly are. We've contacted Honda and will update this story once we receive a response.

      In comparison, this time positions the new Prelude over a second slower than the 180 hp (134 kW / 182 PS) European Honda Civic Hybrid e:HEV, which claims a 0–62 mph time of 7.8 seconds.

      For further context, Car and Driver recorded a time of 6.2 seconds to reach 60 mph in the 2026 Civic Sport Touring Hybrid, which produces 200 hp, while the non-hybrid Civic Sport sedan, with 150 hp, achieved 8.9 seconds. Even Toyota’s base Corolla hatchback completed a quicker 0–60 mph run in 8.3 seconds during similar tests.

      It’s worth noting that there is usually only a slight difference of about 0.2 seconds between 0–60 and 0–62 mph times, which can vary slightly based on gearing.

      Considering Car and Driver's 0–60 time for the 200 hp Civic Hybrid and the comparable weight between that model and the Prelude, it is reasonable to approach this result with some skepticism, expecting the new coupe to achieve a similar sprint time as its sedan counterpart.

      Regardless, the Prelude does not appear to be a groundbreaking sports car. In fact, it features a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a two-motor hybrid system, resulting in a combined output of 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS) for the front-wheel drive coupe.

      The Japanese version starts at ¥6,179,800 ($40,585) and weighs 3,219 lbs (1,460 kg), meaning it has 28 hp (21 kW / 28 PS) less than the Toyota GR86 and is 408 lbs (185 kg) heavier than its lightest variant. On a positive note, the Prelude has a WLTC fuel consumption rating of 23.6 km/L (55.5 mpg).

      Emphasis on Handling Over Power

      While the Prelude may not be particularly fast, Honda emphasized its handling qualities. Notably, the car is equipped with adaptive dampers and a dual-axis strut front suspension adapted from the Civic Type R. It also features four-piston Brembo front brakes, which are shared with the performance hatchback.

      We can expect more information in the upcoming weeks, although some are already attributing the unremarkable performance to the Prelude’s S+ Shift system.

      This system aims to replicate a conventional eight-speed transmission “through seamless coordination between the engine and high-power motor, inclusive of downshift blips, rev matching, and gear holding.”