New Honda Prelude S+ Shift Review 2025 : A Hybrid Sports Comeback

The New Honda Prelude’s S+ Shift isn’t just a name. It’s a feeling. A throwback to the days when cars had heartbeats. Honda is bringing the Prelude back after nearly two decades, and it’s doing it with something bold the S+ Shift system. A mix of old-school thrill and new-age hybrid brains. In a world full of electric silence, this thing talks back. It’s sharp, emotional, and surprisingly human. When you drive it, you’ll know what I mean it feels alive. Let’s dive into what makes it special and why the Prelude S+ Shift might just reignite our love for driving again.

Honda Prelude S+ Shift – Quick Highlights Table

Interior & Features

Inside, the New Honda Prelude S+ Shift feels simple, yet special. You sit low, the dash hugs you, and everything falls right where it should. The steering feels tight and natural, not overdone. Honda has kept it clean physical buttons for climate, digital cluster that changes color in S+ mode. Small touch, big effect. Seats are sporty but soft, perfect for both long drives and lazy evenings. The infotainment system supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless of course. There’s ambient lighting too, subtle and calm. Nothing screams luxury here, but it feels right. You can sense the old Honda soul inside humble, honest, but built with love. I could sit there for hours, engine off, just soaking it in.

Engine, Power & Performance

Under the hood, the Honda Prelude S+ Shift mixes a petrol engine with an electric motor — about 200 horses in total. Not wild numbers, but real enough to make your pulse quicken. The star of the show, though, is the S+ Shift. It’s not a gimmick. It mimics manual gear changes — each paddle click feels raw, timed, emotional. You hear a simulated shift sound, your right foot responds, and for a moment, it’s just you and the car. The throttle gets sharper, steering stiffens, and the Prelude feels alive. Like a dancer reacting to music. It’s the kind of feedback modern automatics forgot to give. Honestly, it reminds you that driving isn’t just transport it’s therapy.
 

Design & Exterior

The New Honda Prelude S+ Shift looks like it’s moving even when it’s parked. Long bonnet. Tight curves. Those sleek LED eyes stare right through you. It’s smooth but confident the kind of design that whispers instead of shouting. You see touches of the old Prelude here, but sharper, leaner, more athletic. The rear light bar stretches across the tail, glowing like a heartbeat at night. Even the wheels seem to slice the air. It’s clean design done with purpose, not drama. Every line feels drawn by someone who loves cars, not computers. I looked at it once and caught myself smiling that’s when I knew, Honda still gets it.

Safety & Technology

Honda doesn’t mess around with safety. The Honda Prelude S+ Shift gets all the smart stuff adaptive cruise, lane assist, collision braking, and blind spot alerts. The car almost feels like it’s watching your back. The hybrid tech adds stability too; when you slow down, regenerative braking kicks in smoothly. It’s smart, almost intuitive. Even the body feels sturdy built to take a hit and protect you. You don’t think about safety when you’re driving it, but you feel it quietly working. That’s how it should be. Technology that stays invisible until it’s needed. It’s calm confidence on four wheels.
 

Price & Launch Date in India

The Honda Prelude S+ Shift is set to launch globally in 2025, starting with Japan and the U.S. For India, expect it around early 2026 as a premium import. The price might hover near ₹45–50 lakh (ex-showroom). Expensive? Maybe. But honestly, this isn’t about money. It’s about passion. A car like this isn’t for everyone it’s for the ones who still love a Sunday drive, windows down, music up. Honda knows that audience, and they’re speaking directly to them. For India, it’ll be a statement that driving can still feel emotional, even in a hybrid world.
 

Rival Comparison

The Honda Prelude S+ Shift stands in an interesting spot. Its rivals like the Toyota GR86 and Mazda MX-5 are purer sports cars, lighter and rear-wheel-driven. Meanwhile, Hyundai’s Ioniq N is all-electric and brutal in power. The Prelude S+ sits comfortably between refined, hybrid, yet playful. It’s not a boy racer, it’s more of a soulful performer. The GR86 might win in cornering, but the Prelude will win your heart with everyday charm. That’s Honda’s trick making something emotional yet practical. It’s the balance that most brands can’t quite master anymore.
 

Expert Opinion / Conclusion

The New Honda Prelude S+ Shift feels like a love letter to driving. In a time when cars are turning into screens on wheels, this one fights back with feeling. The S+ system is clever, yes, but more importantly, it’s fun. It gives control back to the driver. The engine hums, the steering talks, and for a few moments, it feels like the good old days again. Sure, it’s not the loudest, fastest, or flashiest. But it’s real. A car made with heart, not just horsepower. If Honda brings it here, I hope people still care enough to notice. Because cars like this deserve to be driven not just displayed.

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