What Was Honda Thinking? New Honda Prelude vs. Ford Mustang vs. Subaru BRZ vs. Mazda Miata

Is the new 2026 Honda Prelude Hybrid the stylish sports car we've been waiting for, or just a Civic in a fancy suit? We pit it against the Mustang, BRZ and Miata to find out. Appraisal Tool - https://www.edmunds.com/appraisal/ Car Listings - https://www.edmunds.com/new-cars-for-sale/ Ratings and Reviews - https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/ Honda Prelude Edmunds review — https://www.edmunds.com/honda/prelude/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description Ford Mustang Edmunds review — https://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description Mazda Miata Edmunds review — https://www.edmunds.com/mazda/mx-5-miata/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description Ford Mustang Edmunds review — https://www.edmunds.com/ford/mustang/?utm_source=youtube&utm_campaign=youtube_description 00:00 Intro 01:18 The Numbers 05:54 Driving Impressions 12:10 Interior, Tech, & Comfort 15:58 Value 17:19 Edmunds' Take The Honda Prelude is back after a 25-year hiatus, but it’s not exactly what enthusiasts might expect. Now arriving as the 2026 Honda Prelude Hybrid, this coupe shares its powertrain with the Civic Hybrid but adds the sophisticated front suspension of a Civic Type R. In our Honda Prelude review, we found that while the Prelude's horsepower might seem modest, its real-world performance is more nuanced. During testing, the Honda Prelude 0-60 time clocked in at 7.2 seconds in Sport mode — quicker than a standard Civic Hybrid but trailing significantly behind the Ford Mustang, Subaru BRZ and Mazda Miata. However, the Prelude shone on the skidpad, pulling a massive 1.02 g, proving it has serious grip. On the track, the 2026 Honda Prelude feels more like a front-wheel-drive grand tourer than a hardcore sports car, offering simulated gear shifts that add engagement to its hybrid car efficiency. While the 2026 Subaru BRZ remains the best pure driver's car and the 2026 Mazda Miata is a delight for those who don't need space, the 2026 Ford Mustang EcoBoost struggles without its performance package. The Prelude’s biggest hurdle is its price; at over $43,000, it’s the most expensive and slowest car in this group. Yet, with an EPA-estimated 44 mpg combined, it offers a level of everyday practicality and efficiency that no other rival can touch. More Edmunds comparison videos - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLsSQoIGhBLpRF_BW_zhGiXp1kgeRQ23zK If this kind of video is helpful to you and you want to support us making more work like this in the future, hitting the like, subscribe, and notification bell buttons goes a long way. Disclaimer: This video's description was generated with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy by the Edmunds editorial team. The video itself was created entirely without the use of artificial intelligence. https://www.instagram.com/edmundscars/?hl=en https://www.facebook.com/edmunds https://www.tiktok.com/@edmunds https://twitter.com/edmunds https://www.reddit.com/user/edmundscars/ #HondaPrelude #FordMustang #MazdaMiata #SubaruBRZ #Edmunds