Fun-to-drive coupes have been on the wane in the past few decades, which makes it worth paying attention when a new one shows up. The Honda Prelude returns after a 26-year hiatus for 2026, and its got some interesting elements to it. It comes standard with a frugal hybrid powertrain which you wouldnt necessarily associate with a performance coupe combined with a specialized suspension and braking system to enhance the cars handling and stopping.
The new Prelude faces off against a small collection of two-door rivals that includes the Toyota GR86 , a car that follows the classic formula of rear-wheel drive, an available manual transmission and a low price tag. Which of these two-doors is the better buy? Edmunds auto experts tested both to find out.
Driving experience
This is where the GR86 makes its strongest case. At Edmunds test track, a manual transmission-equipped GR86 accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds. This isnt outrageously quick, but the GR86s 228-horsepower four-cylinder engine has enough power to have some fun on highway entrance ramps or when powering out of corners. Toyota also offers an automatic transmission; that slows the cars acceleration by about a second.
The Preludes 200-horsepower four-cylinder hybrid powertrain simply doesnt hit as hard as the GR86s. Edmunds test Prelude needed 7.2 seconds to get to 60 mph. Hondas hybrid system doesnt have a transmission or gears in the traditional sense. Its smooth and great for congested traffic, but you dont get the same level of engagement that you do from revving out the GR86s engine.
The GR86 also draws praise for excellent steering feel and balance that Edmunds identifies as its best traits. The same goes for the Prelude. Its undeniably front-wheel-drive in character, which some drivers prefer less than the GR86s classic rear-wheel-drive merits. But the Prelude is an excellent front-driver with class-leading handling grip.
Its a close call, but the GR86s extra character gives it the win here.
Winner: Toyota GR86
Comfort and features
Away from the backroads, the Prelude pulls ahead. Its cabin is more comfortable, with supportive front seats, high-quality materials, and a straightforward control layout carried over from the Civic. The 9-inch touchscreen uses a Google-based operating system, is quick and easy to navigate, and both Apple Carplay and Android Auto connect wirelessly. Edmunds editors also like the Preludes adaptive suspension that allows for a smooth ride on daily commutes.
The GR86 leans harder into its sporting mission, which does nothing for its everyday livability. The cabin is noisy at speed, and the infotainment system feels dated with wired-only phone mirroring. Getting in and out requires some effort because of the cars low stance. Its not uncomfortable, but the Toyota clearly favors the driving experience over ease of use.
Winner: Honda Prelude
Cargo and practicality
The Preludes hatchback-style trunk holds 15.1 cubic feet, a genuinely useful figure for a small coupe and far more than most rivals offer. The GR86, in contrast, manages just 6.3 cubic feet. And its shallow trunk and small opening severely limit what cargo actually fits, even though the rear seats fold down to swallow a spare set of its own wheels and tires, which adds practicality for track days. But for road trips or even a grocery run, the Prelude has a clear edge.
Winner: Honda Prelude
Fuel economy
Theres no contest here. The Preludes hybrid powertrain returns an EPA-estimated 44 mpg in combined city/highway driving, a number the Edmunds team matched in real-world driving. The GR86 earns an estimated 22 mpg with a manual transmission and 24 mpg with the automatic, numbers that reflect the lower efficiency of its traditional gas engine. Plan to spend a lot more for fuel if you choose a GR86.
Winner: Honda Prelude
Pricing and value
This is where the GR86 comes roaring back. With its base trim level starting at $32,795, including destination fees, the 2027 GR86 is impressively affordable for a new performance car. In its midgrade $35,695 Premium trim, the GR86 comes stocked with features such as heated front seats, an upgraded stereo, traffic-adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning.
The 2027 Prelude comes in only one trim level priced at $43,595. It has a few comfort features the GR86 lacks, such as the adaptive suspension, full leather upholstery and lane keeping assistance, but its hard to ignore that the entry cost is almost $10,000 more than a GR86.
Winner: Toyota GR86
Edmunds says
The Prelude has a lot going for it. Its the more comfortable, more efficient and more practical of the two, with tech and cargo space that makes it far easier to live with every day. For these reasons, it edges out the GR86 in Edmunds rankings of affordable coupes. Still, the GR86 shouldnt be dismissed if youre seeking a more connected driving experience.
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This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds . Josh Jacquot is a contributor at Edmunds.
过去几十年来，富有驾驶乐趣的双门轿跑逐渐式微，因此当一款新车问世时便值得关注。本田**Prelude**在停产26年后将于2026年回归，并带来诸多亮点。该车标配节能混合动力系统——这种配置通常不会与性能轿跑挂钩——同时搭配专业调校的悬挂与制动系统，以提升车辆的操控性和制动表现。
全新Prelude的竞争对手寥寥无几，其中包括丰田GR86——这款车延续了后轮驱动、可选手动变速箱和亲民价格的经典组合。在这两款双门轿跑中，哪款更值得购买？埃德蒙兹汽车专家通过对比测试给出了答案。
驾驶体验
这正是GR86最具说服力的优势所在。在Edmunds的测试赛道上，配备手动变速箱的GR86从静止加速至60英里/小时仅需6.0秒。虽然这个成绩并非极致迅猛，但其228马力的四缸发动机足以让你在高速公路匝道或出弯加速时享受驾驶乐趣。丰田还提供自动变速箱版本，但会使车辆加速性能降低约1秒。
Prelude搭载的200马力四缸混合动力系统，其爆发力明显不及GR86。据Edmunds测试，Prelude需7.2秒完成0-60英里/小时加速。本田这套混动系统并未采用传统意义上的变速箱或齿轮结构，在拥堵路况下运行平顺表现出色，但无法提供GR86引擎高转速时那种人车合一的驾驭体验。
GR86还因其出色的转向手感和平衡性而备受赞誉，埃德蒙兹（Edmunds）认为这是其最佳特质。Prelude同样如此。不可否认，Prelude具有前轮驱动的特性，部分驾驶者对其的偏好不及GR86经典的后轮驱动优势。但Prelude是一款卓越的前驱车型，拥有同级领先的操控抓地力。
胜负仅在毫厘之间，但GR86凭借其独特的个性在此略胜一筹。
冠军：丰田GR86
舒适性与功能特性
在远离乡间小道的路况下，本田Prelude展现出了领先优势。其座舱更为舒适，配备了支撑性良好的前排座椅、高品质材质，以及源自思域的简洁操控布局。9英寸触控屏搭载基于谷歌的操作系统，响应迅捷且操作直观，同时支持苹果CarPlay和安卓Auto无线连接。埃德蒙兹的编辑们还赞赏Prelude的自适应悬挂系统，它能确保日常通勤时的平稳驾乘体验。
GR86更专注于其运动使命，这对其日常实用性毫无助益。行驶时车厢内噪音明显，且仅支持有线连接的车机镜像功能让娱乐系统显得过时。由于车身低矮，上下车需费些力气。虽不算难受，但丰田显然更偏重驾驶体验而非使用便利性。
获奖车型：本田Prelude
载货能力与实用性
本田Prelude的掀背式后备箱容积达15.1立方英尺（约428升），对于一款小型轿跑而言堪称实用，远超多数竞品。相比之下，丰田GR86仅有6.3立方英尺（约178升）的储物空间。即便GR86的后排座椅可放平以容纳备用轮毂轮胎组合（这提升了赛道日的实用性），但其浅层后备箱和狭窄开口仍严重限制了实际载物能力。无论是长途旅行还是日常采买，Prelude都展现出明显优势。
获奖车型：本田序曲（Honda Prelude）
燃油经济性
胜负毫无悬念。本田Prelude的混合动力系统在EPA综合工况（城市/高速）下油耗表现为44英里/加仑，这一数据与Edmunds团队实际路测结果一致。而GR86手动挡车型油耗约为22英里/加仑，自动挡为24英里/加仑，这反映出其传统燃油发动机效率较低。若选择GR86，需做好燃油开支大幅增加的准备。
获胜者：本田序曲（Honda Prelude）
定价与价值
这正是GR86强势回归的舞台。2027款GR86起售价32,795美元（含运费），对于一款全新性能车而言堪称性价比惊人。其中配Premium版售价35,695美元，标配前排座椅加热、升级音响系统、全速域自适应巡航及盲点监测等配置。
2027款Prelude仅提供一种配置版本，售价为43,595美元。该车型配备了GR86所不具备的几项舒适性配置，例如自适应悬架、全真皮内饰以及车道保持辅助系统。然而不可忽视的是，其入门价格比GR86高出近10,000美元。
冠军：丰田GR86
埃德蒙兹表示
本田Prelude拥有诸多优势。在这两款车中，它更舒适、更高效且更实用，其科技配置与储物空间令日常使用更为便捷。正因如此，它在Edmunds平价跑车排行榜上超越了GR86。但若您追求更具人车合一感的驾驶体验，GR86仍是不容忽视的选择。
本文由汽车网站Edmunds提供给美联社，撰稿人为Edmunds特约作者乔希·雅科（Josh Jacquot）。
