Honda's April sales climbed as the Accord surged and the Prelude posted its strongest month since returning to showrooms

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I really hate articles that are “prelude not selling” or “prelude selling better” where they completely ignore how few preludes are even being made in the first place. I work at a Honda dealership and since the new prelude came out, we have been given a total of… 3 preludes. We get less than one per month. These articles would have some meaning if we had a bunch sitting on lot just simply waiting for a buyer, but in reality they are just tracking how many are produced but confusing it with sales.

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ggtsu_00@reddit

They are being trickled into dealerships, and the dealerships are sitting on them with over 10K markups.

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plaugedoctrwithradar@reddit

Not to sound like a villain bragging about his evil deeds… but we sold each of the 3 preludes within a week of them finishing PDI. And that was after we marked them up $20,000 and refused to negotiate. And we still have multiple people contacting us to try and buy the next prelude we get, even after we told them that we will be marking it up $20,000. Old people are going feral over these things and I don’t think they are going to change their minds anytime soon.

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TemporaryHeron3939@reddit

Yep Honda played them quite well by making a car nostalgic to them and charge them heavily. Fuck boomers.

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itsnottommy@reddit

Yeah, none of these articles mention that Honda is targeting about 300 Preludes sold per month. The so-called weak sales are actually right on track. I doubt they even have the capacity to build many more Preludes.

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lurpeli@reddit

Why even design a car it you're planning to sell so few.

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itsnottommy@reddit

It’s all about seeing how you can make a hybrid fun to drive. Partially a fun challenge for the engineers, and partially a “prelude” to future sporty Hondas. Having driven one for a couple months now, IMO it’s a first draft of a very good idea.

The Civic Type R is gonna have to go hybrid eventually if they want to sell it in global markets. It’s inevitable. Better to do the first draft in a niche car for weirdos than to put untested stuff into the legendary Type R right away.

If they can get a hybrid system making closer to 300hp and work on S+ a bit more, I think it’ll make for a good CTR in the hybrid era. Obviously that will piss off the Type R purists and the “save the manuals” crowd. But hybrids are becoming a necessary move and the manual transmission is unfortunately going the way of the dodo. If this Prelude helps make the hybrid Type R as good as it possibly can be, it’s worth the investment.

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lurpeli@reddit

Yeah and they really didn't do that. Taking an inherently not sport powertrain you already have and just slapping better suspension on it isn't a recipe for making a good, sporty, hybrid.

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plaugedoctrwithradar@reddit

It isn’t, but with where emissions regulations are heading, manufactures might not have a choice. A lot of people think Honda has “fallen behind” because the SI and Type R hasn’t gained any power, and we got rid of the V6 and 2.0T accords. But in reality we are being squeezed by emissions regulations. Every country has different requirements, but the only consistent thing is that they are very strict on car emissions, but more “laid back” on truck and SUV emissions.

From some of the conversations I’ve had with the engineers, half the reasons we made the prelude was because we can’t sell the Type R in Europe anymore, so they needed some way to offer a car that had that same suspension and brake setup. If we can’t even sell a turbo 4 cylinder hatch because “it doesn’t pass emissions”, then the only option is to make a “boring car” but with better chassis, suspension, and brakes.

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itsnottommy@reddit

It is legitimately fun to drive in a “slow car fast” way, even if this first implementation of the idea isn’t on Type R level yet. It’ll be even better with more power and a revised S+ mode.

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MumpsyDaisy@reddit

Presumably it's at least partly an experiment and jumping off point for further development - as emissions regulations tighten worldwide, it becomes harder to meet targets while still selling fun cars. So the question of "can you make a fun hybrid car?" is worth exploring.

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cookingboy@reddit

I see your flair.

What made you buy it, given everything else that’s on the market? I’m genuinely curious.

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itsnottommy@reddit

My ideal two car garage would be a small sports car like a BRZ and an economical hybrid like a Prius. Owning two cars isn’t in the cards for me right now, so I wanted the best of both worlds. That was a completely unrealistic idea before the Prelude came out.

IMO the Prelude does a really good job of splitting the difference between a BRZ and a Prius without making major compromises. It’s a coupe with great handling, decent power, and beautiful design, with the practicality and efficiency of a hybrid liftback. The interior is light years ahead of the BRZ and Prius in every way (as it should be for the price). I also think it looks better than anything else in either segment, but that’s completely subjective.

That being said, it’s definitely not for everyone. The lack of a manual transmission is obviously a dealbreaker for plenty of people. Acceleration feels better than it sounds on paper, but a bit more power couldn’t hurt. I’m 100% satisfied with my Prelude but I totally get why this weird car only really appeals to a small group of people.

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NetworkStatic@reddit

I sorta get it. Ever since I got my first Audi TTS more than a decade ago I tend to always want a liftback. For the footprint of the car I can put so much stuff in there. Having that sort of car allows me to have it as the biggest (cargo space-wise) I own.

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itsnottommy@reddit

Agreed. I took my Prelude to IKEA the other day and I was honestly surprised at just how much cargo space it has.

It’s sort of a modern TT in the sense that it’s a FWD liftback coupe based on a compact hatch. Here’s hoping for an AWD performance variant at some point.

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ericcitaro@reddit

AWD version unlikely to coming consider how small the market is, but a little hope is no harm.

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_galaga_@reddit

I’m not drawing a direct comparison here but ages ago I owned a first gen Ford Probe (FWD 2 door liftback). With the rear seats down it could hold so much! Lift over sucked, tho.

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itsnottommy@reddit

Honestly lift over kinda sucks on the Prelude too, but it's not nearly as bad as that Probe.

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ggtsu_00@reddit

It's so rare to see someone on this sub with such a reasonable and rational perspective.

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cookingboy@reddit

Thanks for the perspective. It makes a lot of sense actually, since it’s extremely hard to find premium *small* cars these days, let alone small premium hybrids.

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itsnottommy@reddit

Hopefully some other brands are noticing Honda hitting their sales targets with a weird little premium car. Maybe I’m too optimistic, but I hope the Prelude will make other brands a bit more open to testing new ideas in smaller segments.

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plaugedoctrwithradar@reddit

Exactly. From what I’ve heard from the few Honda corporate people I’ve talked too, the main hold up in prelude production is the parts that it shares with the type R. Honda is producing exactly as many type R’s are they want too, so when they needed more type R parts to put on the prelude, the manufacturing couldn’t ramp production enough. They are working to further expand production, but until they do, preludes are going to be just as rare if not more than the Type R is.

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tlminh@reddit

This was the same reporting issues with the MKV supra, saying it was a sales failure

No, it wasn't a sales failure. They just didnt make any

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plaugedoctrwithradar@reddit

Exactly, most people don’t realize that manufactures don’t want to sell 100k of every single model. Most of the sports cars either exist for advertising purposes, or to use customers as a guinea pigs to do long term testing on a certain piece of new technology.

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EngagedGroomsPodcast@reddit

Honda/Acura need to update their SUVs with hybrids like yesterday. A hybrid powertrain for the Pilot/Odyssey/Ridgeline would make all of those top of their class and sell gangbusters. Too bad all their money went to EVs.

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driftking428@reddit

Damn they sold two Preludes this month?

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cilantno@reddit

Outsold the BRZ

This sub in shambles.

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Nero_Wolff@reddit

Im still yet to see one here in the Bay Area

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ChargeFinal925@reddit

Saw one in San Jose

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FrozenUruguayBallbac@reddit

I have seen plenty new Zs, someone in my area has a Nismo but havent seen a single prelude here in SJ

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jk147@reddit

I have seen way more Ferraris than Prelude at this point.

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cilantno@reddit

More Ferraris exist than 6th preludes. By a large margin.

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GMOrgasm@reddit

ive got one lol but mostly bike place so its usually parked at my house lol

saw another one on stanford campus while biking to work recently too

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cilantno@reddit

That’s crazy, they’ve been out since 2013!

I didn’t see a new Z until last year and I live in a very large city. Barely over 1,000 new preludes exist in the country, I’m not surprised they haven’t been seen by many.

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Nero_Wolff@reddit

Sorry i meant to say to the prelude

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UndercoverGTR@reddit

Somone at my work has one, it's actually pretty slick

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swampfox94@reddit

With gas prices these day this might end up being the most perfectly timed release for a mid car lol

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cilantno@reddit

Iran was a Honda job?

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endlessnamelesskat@reddit

I dunno about that, all those Tacomas used as machine gun platforms tells me there’s a different company to point my finger at while I adjust my tinfoil hat

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tiagojpg@reddit

Honda and Toyota can be playing both sides! Money talks, people!

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withsexyresults@reddit

The $7/gal sports car

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Slideways@reddit

Mustang II is still the champ.

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Clover-kun@reddit

How did it do compared to the GR86? (BRZ except you can actually buy one)

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cilantno@reddit

I’d assume the 86 has a much higher sales count, but the article specifically calls out the BRZ

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Vhozite@reddit

The only thing I’m in shambles about is the paltry amount of sales all these cars do.

In the time it took me to type this post Honda probably sold more CRV’s or HRV’s than the Prelude and Twins combined. It’s disheartening.

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cilantno@reddit

Based on what I’ve read Honda is selling every prelude they make. Their goal is 4000 units a year and they’re ahead of that target.
Sports cars and sports coupes are not volume cars, and that is (or should be) well known.

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Possible_Head_1269@reddit

gotta wait like a year to see whether this is a cybertruck situation or not

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StableManticorePilot@reddit

The prelude is such a weird thing rn. It's a beautiful car in person and I'd wager that's like 70% of what's selling it. But man Ota just meh to actually drive.

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ggtsu_00@reddit

Seriously the Reddit reality distortion field is so real. Just further proves how out of touch this sub is with reality..

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SomeJayForToday@reddit

B-but… this sub said it would be dead on arrival…

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crunchynibbas@reddit

The BRZ sells 200 units in a good month. Not really company you want to be compared to.

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Vhozite@reddit

Outselling a car in its 4th model year that has the majority of its production taken up by its badge swapped twin is not a flex lol

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jondes99@reddit

Wait until you hear how it did compared o the Jag F-Pace.

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cloudofevil@reddit

I saw one a couple weeks ago. I couldn't believe it at first.

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rx-pulse@reddit

Lol same, it was some high school kid that had one. He lowered it and had carbon canards and diffusers on the rear and front. I had to double take and audibly said to myself "someone bought one!"

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tiagojpg@reddit

There’s gotta be an instagram handle plastered on that car!

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Rabo_McDongleberry@reddit

I don't even believe you!

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RiftHunter4@reddit

Even the Prelude had a (relatively) banner month as the company moved 357 of them. That’s 77 more than in March and is the Prelude’s best result to date.

Not a bad number for this kind of product.

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2008CRVGUY@reddit

Honda's styling, while not nearly as bad as Subaru or Toyota, isnt helping them. On top of that, the persistent removal of content from lower trim levels is pushing buyers to Toyota etc. For example, my daughter recently bought a new 2025 Civix EX-L only to discover that it doesn't come with the silly sunglasses holder in the overhead console. You have to buy the top of the line Touring model to get that.

Seriously Honda?? A fucking sunglasses holder is too much to have in all trims??

Ive had several Honda's over the past 20 yrs, most in the EX-L range and every single one had that feature standard.

Its just such a petty and ridiculous feature to omit.

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sta7ic@reddit

Honda's competitor from Toyota is the Corolla which doesn't have a sunglass holder either. The Accord has it in its base trim.

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CompetitionFalse3620@reddit

I sell Hondas and I have literally had 1 customer ask me about the Prelude.

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PFD_2@reddit

Someone in this thread said the prelude had decent power, and I’m now understanding who the target market for this car is lmao

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by_a_pyre_light@reddit

Right?? I was shocked none of the replies checked him/her on that point.

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itsnottommy@reddit

Curious to see how long the Prelude’s sales momentum lasts. I’ve been loving mine so far but it’s definitely a niche product. I wonder if they’ll finally release a base model once the small handful of people who want a Prelude at this price point have already bought one.

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PopPopUpHeadlights@reddit

IMO Prelude is a poor concept and Honda shouldn't have revived it at its price point. If it was way cheaper then maybe. But as someone who owns a FL5 CTR and AP2 S2000, they should have revived the S2000 line. The Miata market is ripe for the picking and Honda definitely could build another lightweight roadster to rival the Miata. Prelude market is very niche and it's a weird concept given the options (GR86, CTR, Miata, GRC) in the market at that price point which are easily the better driver's car and has way better aftermarket support.

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itsnottommy@reddit

I’d absolutely love to see an S2000 revival too, but that car was much more expensive than a Miata and I’d expect the revival would be too. Just keeping up with inflation, a new S2000 would start somewhere around $60,000 today.

The Prelude isn’t really trying to be a GR86, Civic Type R, Miata, or GR Corolla. It’s a different car for a different customer. I like it, I get why some people don’t. Probably a questionable choice in terms of Honda’s business, but I’m glad they made it. For its intended purpose I think it’ll make its niche group of buyers very happy.

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aprtur@reddit

In my opinion, it needs to go the other way - they need to go all in on a new "Prelude Si" with some variant of the Type R's drivetrain. The car is already pretty basic, so I don't know that you'd strip out of it to make a base model, and everyone's complaint is that it is basically the same performance as a BB6 Prelude, when the rest of the market has gotten considerably more competent, even under Honda's own badge.

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itsnottommy@reddit

The interior is really nice in the existing model. The only noticeable cost cutting measures are the backseats (which nobody really uses) and the manual front seats. All of the materials are great, build quality is phenomenal, and there are a bunch of special little touches. Tons of room to cut costs.

I’ve actually kind of given a lot of thought to what an expanded Prelude lineup might look like.

I think there should be a new base model just called the Prelude. Maybe Prelude Sport. Give it Civic Si suspension/brakes, fabric seat inserts, and less features (no Bose stereo, etc). The real cost issue with the Prelude is the Type R suspension and brakes, so the interior cost cutting might not have to be too severe once you remove those.

The existing model should stick around and be called the Prelude GT. Maybe add power front seats. Nicer than the base model, handles far better, but you still have the same powertrain.

Take the existing model, drop in the Type R powertrain, give it a big ass wing, and call it the Prelude Type R. Red exterior accents instead of blue, and a bright red interior with carbon fiber trim. It’s such a no brainer that I find it hard to believe Honda doesn’t have something like this in the works.

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aprtur@reddit

That's an interesting take - an expanded lineup would definitely be something I could see working in the car's favor, but I just don't see how de-contenting it would help it. Running with your idea, though, it would be interesting to utilize the old Accord variant of the Type R 2.0T to fulfill that mission - leave the current car, minus Bose, as a Hybrid trim, but then have the Accord 2.0T spiced up abit in two forms to slide just below Type R spec - a 10AT Touring trim with leather, Bose and power seats with ventilation, and then a 6MT Si trim (Honda had never done a Prelude Type R, and I think there's a reason for it) that utilizes some of the Type R's trick electronic programming, the Type R Racing Black seats, and a more aggressive aero package. It would give a lot more depth to the model while utilizing a tried and tested drivetrain that already has production tooling.

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itsnottommy@reddit

I think the de-contented version would just aim to attack the higher-end BRZ and GR86 trim levels more directly. Not quite as engaging to drive as those are, but also much more comfortable and practical. I think there’s a customer for that, but then again I don’t work at Honda so I don’t know what their market research has told them.

I actually had a 2.0T Accord before my Prelude. Absolutely phenomenal powertrain. It might need a bit more power to differentiate itself from the hybrid Prelude and justify the horrible gas mileage, but I definitely see your vision for a Prelude Si sort of thing with that engine. That would be an awesome car.

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aprtur@reddit

The first point about going against the GR86/BRZ is interesting, but the lack of being involved in the driving experience to the same degree immediately hurts the Prelude as a competitor, regardless of the price and content level. I know people harp on about "manual elitist jerks", but the fact is, the twins are one of only two options for a RWD manual car in that price bracket (the other being Miata), and it seems like that's a big reason people seek them out. I think you could forgive the lack of engagement on the Prelude if it were significantly faster for the money, but even that fades quickly, as proven by how competent but ignored the Mustang Ecoboost is now that they made it 10AT only. That brings me back to the powertrain - and I think people could forgive the Prelude more if it was a "Type R Lite" in a coupe package, for about $2-3000 more than the existing car. That would put it at a sticker ~$3-4000 less than a Type R, but give you the 10AT/6MT options with more power in addition to the existing Hybrid option. I bet you'd capture the old Accord V6 Coupe customers with that car, whereas the hybrid feels like the CR-Z - a competent, intriguing, and fun car with a very limited audience.

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itsnottommy@reddit

Good point. I agree that the weight, FWD, and no manual would definitely limit its chances against the twins if the Type R suspension was removed.

Maybe its best chance in my imaginary base configuration would be targeting the Mini Cooper crowd (plus former Fiat 500 and VW Beetle buyers) who want something cute and stylish but don't care much about how it drives as long as it's somewhat "zippy." In which case, might as well just give it the standard Civic suspension/brakes to cut costs further and throw in a bunch of cute interior and exterior colors. That strays further from the historical ethos of the Prelude, but it's an easy marketing campaign.

Agreed on the Type R Lite (Prelude Si? SiR?) as a higher-end performance variant if Honda doesn't want to do a real Type R. Sort of the JCW to the base model's standard Cooper.

Pricing is difficult here, even as an owner I agree that the actual Prelude is a few grand overpriced. If it could magically be knocked down to the pre-tariff price of $38k, I think there's room for a style-focused model below that and a Type R lite above that.

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aprtur@reddit

I'm just hoping Honda takes the opportunity that's staring them in the face and runs with it. I know this is a tough segment to do it with, but who knows how much longer they'll actually have the opportunity to build something like this, especially with factory equipment that's already fully amortized on a drivetrain that's compliant in the largest markets it's sold in. We're being denied the opportunity of the Super-N/Super-ONE, so getting a full-fat Prelude would at least be some compensation for that.

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itsnottommy@reddit

100% agreed. It's a beautiful car on a great chassis with an enormous parts bin. I love it how it is now, but they have so many ways to make this car appeal to more buyers by dropping in existing parts. I think they'd be stupid not to expand the lineup.

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GMOrgasm@reddit

The only noticeable cost cutting measures are the backseats (which nobody really uses) and the manual front seats

the manual trunk is annoying too but i get it

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ggtsu_00@reddit

The car is perfect as-is, just needs to be a bit cheaper. Type-R engine would increase its cost and would tank the fuel efficiency which is its main advantage over other coupes with similar power.

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itsnottommy@reddit

IIRC the Type R engine is actually quite a bit cheaper to build than the hybrid. Of course Honda would charge you more for a Prelude with that engine, so that just sounds like an easy way for them to make a bunch of money on this car.

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aprtur@reddit

There was a detuned version of the engine that's in the Type R that was in the Accord, so they could definitely manage it without raising costs too much. Combined fuel efficiency wouldn't be dramatically different either - the Prelude is rated for 35 combined, and the Accord with the 2.0T and manual trans was 28 - which would presumedly get better in something as light as a Prelude without traction batteries. It also addresses the last part of your statement - when buying a coupe, who is considering fuel efficiency as the primary driving factor to purchase the car? I'd wager that's almost nobody, because coupes are predominantly an emotional purchase, and the fuel efficiency is just a nice bonus.

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Fatigue-Error@reddit

Isn’t a base model Prelude just the Civic Hybrid?

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itsnottommy@reddit

Essentially, yeah.

They’d have to replace the standard Type R suspension parts with Civic Si parts to cut costs. Probably eliminate the unique interior stitching and materials, cut the Bose stereo, and give it a smaller screen just so you know you’re in the cheaper one.

It wouldn’t be quite as nice to drive, but all of the Civics punch above their weight in terms of handling. I think there’s a customer for a hybrid Civic Si wrapped in a gorgeous coupe body for somewhere in the mid-30s.

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Gryphon234@reddit

And? I'd love a 2 Door Civic Hybrid

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit (OP)

Honda only plans on selling around 4000 annually. I imagine they can reach that goal pretty easily

Once it loses momentum, I personally think they'll cut the price, give it a mid cycle refresh and rename it the Civic Coup

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itsnottommy@reddit

I think they’ll definitely hit their sales targets for the first year or two. It’s a great car and I think more people will be open to it once they can actually get behind the wheel.

I doubt they’ll rename it since the Prelude name holds so much value. I do agree though that they’ll probably find a way to cut the price, likely by adding a more affordable base model in addition to the current fully loaded model.

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit (OP)

Once the RDX is gone, Acura will be a one model company

like Chrysler 😢

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KeyboardGunner@reddit

I don't understand Acura at all. Where are the hybrid models? They make an extremely popular Civic Hybrid. why don't they have an equivalent Integra Hybrid?

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thisisjustascreename@reddit

I don't think Honda understands Acura either.

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endlessnamelesskat@reddit

To me Acura was the last of the in between brands, similar to Mercury. It wasn’t full on luxury, it just felt like you’re getting a higher trim level civic when you buy the integra.

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ZetaM3@reddit

The mismanagement of Acura will be a Harvard case study in a decade.

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IThatAsianGuyI@reddit

All they had to do was literally body swap the Civic Hybrid and HRV hybrid into being the Integra Hybrid, ADX Hybrid, and RDX hybrid as they worked on their full EV platform.

Could have even used the Prelude as the Integra Coupe or renaming the RSX CUV into something else and using the RSX for the Acura-fied Prelude.

Hold you over until you can get a working hybrid for the MDX tier and subsidize your EV development with great hybrid offerings. Instead, they handed the entire "entry-luxury hybrid" segment to Lexus while their EV development got nuked because upper management is clueless.

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maxgeek@reddit

And ADX

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Redeemed_Expert9694@reddit (OP)

Oh yeah, completely forgot about the HR-V Touring Elite as well

Ngl, aside from the MDX, most of the current lineup is pretty forgettable. The TLX was nice, but that's been away for awhile now I think

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Bismi44@reddit

At least a year I think

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Barson_Crandt@reddit

And the HR-V Touring Elite 👍

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cubs223425@reddit

How can the Accord's sales surge when I'm constantly told no one wants sedans?

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Alive_Internet@reddit

The economy isn’t doing great, and gas prices are really high, so some people who want SUVs can’t afford them right now. Cars like the Civic hybrid and Accord hybrid offer affordable and efficient alternatives to SUVs.

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NitroLada@reddit

Accord is not cheap and if economy was not doing well, if wouldn't sell. it's Rav4 pricing and arguably the RAV4 has more utility.

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absolute_imperial@reddit

Yes. It is this. The Camry is it's direct competitor and it is about $3,000 less for the lowest trim hybrid

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absolute_imperial@reddit

fleet sales.

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PJKenobi@reddit

My wife just bought a Honda Passport. They had a Prelude in the showroom. Price was almost 60k before tax, tag and title. 6.4k more than what we got our fully loaded Trailsport Elite with the adventure package out the door for. Bonkers.

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OprahFtwphrey@reddit

I just got a new TSE as well. How do you like it?

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PJKenobi@reddit

My wife seem to like it a lot. We had a issue with it getting stuck in cylinder deactivation mode that it needed to go back to the dealer for a few times, but seems to be fixed now.

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Fatigue-Error@reddit

I could buy a new and a used Miata for that price.

I might have an addiction to Miatas.

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ericcitaro@reddit

I ain't blame you.

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-Suzuka-@reddit

Prelude sold 357 units in April.

It is CR-Z all over again. 😢

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duncan345@reddit

I know a guy that's been a Honda sales manager for about 15 years. He says the Accord and Civic sales spike whenever there's a significant increase in gas prices. If gas prices go down the sales numbers shrink. It's crazy that people are committing to long term car payments in such a reactionary way.

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braytag@reddit

Wait the prelude is out? I haven't seen a single one.

Same for the 350z on the other hand.

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