MELBOURNE JUNE 29: Honda Australia has added two more awards to a raft of recent accolades from Australian media, with the all-new Honda Prelude named the Chasing Cars 2026 Car of the Year in addition to Chasing Cars’ Best Sports Car 2026.
- All-new Prelude awarded 2026 Car of the Year in addition to Best Sports Car
- Design, ride and handling, and ownership costs all praised
- Prelude topped sports car sales charts in its first month on sale
The awards acknowledge Prelude’s unique place in the market and reward Honda’s commitment to delivering on its brief to build a modern hybrid coupe grand tourer, injecting fun and innovation onto roads filled with SUVs.
Honda Australia Director, Robert Thorp said: “Prelude is such an iconic nameplate, and this sixth generation will go down as one of the best. To be acknowledged by the experienced Chasing Cars team with Chasing Cars’ Car of the Year award less than two months after going on sale is incredibly satisfying,” said Mr. Thorp.
“Prelude has always been a platform for innovation and this award-winning sixth generation is no different. Prelude debuts Honda’s S+ Shift technology which, combined with our responsive and engaging e:HEV hybrid, injects fun back into driving and paves the way for sports cars in the electrified era.
Chasing Cars said: “The Prelude is a car that nails its niche appeal with an abundance of X-factor.
It’s very much a sports car for our times – a sports car that will put a grin on your face without punishing you at the bowser.”
Prelude’s eye-catching design is inspired by the aerodynamic efficiency of a glider and is coupled with performance chassis components found on the Civic Type R, all carefully crafted to deliver a confidence-inspiring drive and the ultimate connection between human and machine.
Headlining the new technology rollout is Honda’s innovative S+ Shift technology, which adds to the joy of the drive by simulating the sound and feel of quick automatic gear changes through an evocative engine note and a throttle response able to deliver a‘kick’ and rev-matching throttle ‘blip’ felt during gear changes and engine braking. All at the push of a button.
Priced at $65,000 DA, Prelude is on sale at Honda Centres nationwide and comes with the Honda Road Ahead Guarantee which provides 5 Year Unlimited KM Warranty, 5 Year Premium Roadside Assist as well as Honda’s 5 Low Price Scheduled Services at only $199 per service.