One of the initial American Preludes reaches 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, but don't overinterpret this information | Carscoops

      Honda's initial American Prelude accelerated to 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, but early evaluations indicate there's more depth to the performance narrative.

      The 2026 Honda Prelude recorded a time of 0-62 mph in 8.28 seconds during tests.

      In terms of initial acceleration, it outperformed the Civic Hybrid and the 1993 Prelude, but it remains uncertain whether the driver utilized brake boosting to enhance the launch.

      Honda has commenced customer deliveries of the 2026 Prelude in the U.S., and surprisingly, some buyers are paying not only the MSRP but even more than $10,000 above it. Scarcity and the appeal of being an early purchaser appear to have a strong impact in showrooms.

      One of the new owners recently attempted to determine just how quickly the new vehicle can accelerate, and previous tests indicate that the experience of driving the new Prelude lacks excitement.

      This particular white Prelude was acquired by the AeroflowDynamics team, which offers aero kits for various Japanese models, for a staggering $59,345. Adding to the shock of the $42,000 MSRP, many dealers have been adding significant markups to the front-wheel drive sports coupe.

      In this instance, the buyer had to pay an additional $14,995 for the ‘2T Protection Package & Market Adjustment.’ This ‘package’ contains wheel locks, a cargo tray, splash guards, paint protection glaze, and window tint. By bundling the market adjustment with this package, the dealership has sidestepped the requirement to disclose the premium.

      Sporty Appearance, Lacking Performance

      The surprising aspects of the new Prelude extend beyond its price to its seemingly slow performance. With only 66 miles on the odometer, the owner, testing the car in a straight line, timed a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) run at 8.28 seconds.

      To make matters worse, this timing relied on the speedometer, and had a proper GPS timer been utilized, the time may have been even slower than 8.28 seconds.

      Regrettably, Honda has not incorporated a launch control system in the Prelude to facilitate rapid starts. However, earlier tests indicated that by pressing the brake and throttle pedals simultaneously before releasing the brake, it’s possible to achieve a “brake boost” for extra acceleration. It's uncertain if this owner employed that technique, but we suspect they did not.

      A similar incident occurred with a private owner in Japan, who initially logged a rather disappointing 9.2-second run from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph). After attempting the launch control method, their time improved dramatically to 7.2 seconds, matching the performance observed from the mechanically similar Civic Hybrid.

      It's also important to highlight that this Prelude was tested in S+ mode with the artificial shifting system activated. While this feature enhances driver engagement, it may negatively impact acceleration.

      Testing Considerations

      As with all performance tests, there are multiple factors to consider beyond just how the driver launches the car. Variables such as temperature, surface grip, altitude, and tire temperature all affect performance. Cool air can enhance engine efficiency, but cold tires may reduce traction; high altitudes diminish power, especially in naturally aspirated engines. Uneven or slippery surfaces can hinder launches, and even wind or humidity can skew results.

      Another significant aspect is that when it comes to acceleration, mileage can influence performance in both directions. A brand-new vehicle with only 66 miles, like this Prelude, hasn't had sufficient time for its engine and drivetrain to fully break in, which often results in slower acceleration times in the early stages.

      On the other hand, vehicles with higher mileage may also lose some performance edge as components wear and compression slightly decreases, though this usually occurs over years, not weeks.

      John Halas contributed to this article.