Think about Spending Over $60K For a 2026 Honda Prelude Simply To Go 0-60 In Over 8 Seconds

The 2026 Honda Prelude revival has been a rollercoaster of feelings for automotive fans, and never the enjoyable variety. What Honda promised as an “exhilarating” return of an iconic nameplate has as a substitute turn out to be a lightning rod for frustration — and now, new efficiency knowledge is including gasoline to the hearth.

For months, driving fans have been side-eyeing the Prelude’s specs with skepticism, particularly after listening to its value level. Now, a YouTube video displaying the primary American purchaser’s 0-60 mph run has confirmed their worst fears: the game coupe took 8.28 seconds to hit freeway pace. To place that in perspective, a contemporary Honda Accord can do it sooner. A lot for “thrilling but environment friendly.”

Sure, Honda truly described its efficiency this manner…

However right here’s the place issues get much more painful: some consumers are paying over $60,000 for this expertise.

2026 Honda Prelude Backlash Continues

A YouTuber going by AeroflowDynamics determined to publish his 2026 Honda Prelude’s 0-60 run and it induced mass mayhem within the automotive neighborhood. Within the video, he reveals how a lot he spent (over $59,000 MSRP) after which offers drivers a (boring) first-person view of what it’s wish to drive the 2026 Honda Prelude. The timer confirmed the automotive reaching 60 mph in 8.28 seconds.

“2.3 seconds slower than my household station wagon. Spectacular!” stated one hater on Reddit. 

Added one other: “My fats, sluggish 2024 Kia Sportage does it in like 9 seconds.”

Some drivers tried to level out that perhaps there are some Prelude followers on the market that aren’t on the lookout for a formidable 0-60 time when buying a automobile. The problem? The unique Prelude was meant to be an reasonably priced efficiency automotive. Positive, it wasn’t going to beat a sports activities automotive at a purple gentle, nevertheless it was meant to be enjoyable and classy for a cheaper price level.

What’s the purpose of reviving a automotive neighborhood favourite if you happen to aren’t going to remain true to what made folks love the automotive within the first place? Who’s the 2026 Honda Prelude for? Clearly not for anybody on a funds.

The Markup Insanity

Honda set the Prelude’s MSRP at an affordable $43,195. It’s positioned as a single-trim mannequin with minimal choices — choose your paint coloration, select your wheels, and also you’re mainly achieved. Easy, easy, and pretty priced for what you get.

Besides that’s not what’s occurring at sure dealerships throughout the nation.

Social media posts reveal that some Honda sellers are slapping huge markups on the revived coupe, with costs hovering previous $60,000. One Reddit consumer shared a window sticker totaling $61,714, which included a $10,000 supplier markup alongside add-ons like paint safety, wheel locks, and — anticipate it — a $395 display screen protector for the infotainment show. One other Fb itemizing from a California dealership confirmed a Prelude priced at $63,850, marketed as one in every of solely 60 within the state.

That’s practically a 40 p.c improve over MSRP. For a automotive that takes over eight seconds to achieve 60 mph.

Honda Isn’t Pleased Both

To Honda’s credit score, the automaker has publicly discouraged these practices. In an announcement, the corporate acknowledged the excessive demand however emphasised their advice that sellers give attention to constructing long-term buyer relationships moderately than chasing short-term income by means of markups.

Nonetheless, Honda additionally famous the fact of the scenario: dealerships are unbiased companies working in a free market, they usually in the end set their very own costs.

Translation: there’s not a lot Honda can truly do to cease it.

Ought to You Wait It Out?

Right here’s the excellent news (if you happen to nonetheless need this automotive for some cause): Honda hasn’t introduced any manufacturing limits on the Prelude. Which means dealerships making an attempt to create synthetic shortage by advertising and marketing their automobiles as “restricted” or “unique” received’t be capable to keep that phantasm for lengthy.

Should you’re genuinely within the new Prelude (once more, for some cause), endurance may be your finest technique. As extra models arrive and the preliminary hype fades, these marked-up fashions will doubtless sit on showroom flooring whereas wise consumers go to sellers charging MSRP.

The 2026 Honda Prelude may be a stable automotive at its supposed value level. Strong, however not something particular. Nonetheless, at $60,000-plus for 8-second acceleration? That’s a tough move for many fans. And judging by the net response, Honda sellers banking on FOMO would possibly wish to rethink their pricing technique earlier than they’re caught with stock that no one needs at these costs.

In any case, paying a premium to go sluggish isn’t precisely the joys experience anybody signed up for.