Honda’s latest Prelude revival has taken Japan by surprise, easily surpassing early forecasts. Figures released on Honda’s Japanese media site, later cited by Motor1, show interest far beyond expectations. Instead of reaching 300 monthly sales, demand shot up to around 2,400 orders between September and October. Most of those came from buyers in their 50s and 60s—drivers who remember the original Prelude’s mix of sport and style.
For many in that age group, the Prelude name carries memories of a time when Honda’s coupes ruled the streets. With more disposable income and a taste for nostalgia, they’re eager to reconnect with a car that defined their younger years. A similar pattern could appear in the U.S., where early-50s buyers lead new vehicle purchases. In Japan, though, color trends lean conservative—63 percent white, 16 percent gray.
Soaring demand has Honda ramping up production in Japan to keep deliveries on schedule. American buyers will wait until fall to see it arrive, with a starting price expected near $42,000. Sharing its bones with the Civic but borrowing suspension and chassis tuning from the Civic Type R, the Prelude aims for balance and precision. Still, the lack of a manual gearbox may keep some longtime Honda fans craving that old-school connection.
