Launch: Honda Prelude and ZR-V

After a quarter of a century, Honda has brought back the Prelude. At the same launch event, Honda New Zealand also introduced the revised ZR-V.

After a 25‑year hiatus, Honda has dusted off the Prelude badge and brought it back to New Zealand. The classic sport compact is reimagined as a modern and technologically advanced hybrid coupe.

The new Prelude has high standards to meet, and while it looks very different from the original – which has a cult-like following – it still aims to blend sporty driving with everyday practicality and efficiency.

Starting at $69,990, the Prelude does not come cheap, and prices can climb even further once you begin adding optional extras (like a rear spoiler). However, Honda has focused on packing the car with plenty of standard features while delivering a fun yet polished driving experience without sacrificing economy.

Power comes from a 2.0‑litre DOHC i‑VTEC petrol engine paired with Honda’s e:HEV two‑motor hybrid system. The petrol engine produces 104kW and 182Nm, while the electric motor adds 135kW and 315Nm. Power is sent through an automatic e‑CVT transmission to the front wheels.

Needless to say, acceleration is brisk and throttle response is sharp, and with an official fuel economy rating of just 4.2L/100km, it is an impressive combination for a sports coupe.

The Prelude also features a new S+ mode that sharpens throttle response and simulates gear changes through the paddle shifters. The driver’s display switches to a tachometer, while the speakers mimic exhaust sounds, complete with downshift blips.

The Prelude borrows DNA from Honda’s performance models, including Type R‑inspired hardware. It features adaptive suspension, Brembo four‑piston brake callipers, and 19‑inch alloy wheels, giving it a confident stance on the road. The multi‑link independent rear suspension keeps handling tidy and precise, although the rear can sometimes feel a little light through tighter bends.

The cabin is clean and modern, with horizontal design lines and quality materials throughout. The seats are leather-trimmed and heated as standard, while other features include a 9-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless phone charging and built-in Google Assistant.

Honda’s new Connect Gen2 system also allows remote access via your phone, letting you adjust the climate control, lock or unlock the doors, and even check the fuel level. Honda includes its Sensing safety technology, which feels well adapted to New Zealand roads.

Overall, the new Prelude is a polished and thoughtfully designed return for a familiar name. It’s not a hardcore sports car, but neither was the original. Instead, it’s a stylish, efficient and engaging coupe that makes a strong case for itself.

On the same day Honda launched the new Prelude, it also released the updated ZR-V. This refresh of its compact crossover SUV brings revised trim levels and a newly developed hybrid powertrain.

The ZR-V sits neatly in the middle of Honda’s SUV lineup – between the smaller HR-V and the larger CR-V. First launched in 2023, it made a strong first impression, even taking out the 2023 AA DRIVEN Car Guide New Zealand Car of the Year award. 

The updated model uses Honda’s e:HEV twin-motor hybrid system, pairing a newly developed 2.0-litre petrol engine with electric motors. The result is smooth and responsive power unit that is also incredibly fuel efficient (rated at around 5.5L/100km).

Honda has clearly put a lot of effort into how the ZR-V drives. A lower stance and multi-link rear suspension give it a planted and stable feel on the road – to the point where it feels more like a car than a typical SUV behind the wheel.

The update features two trim levels: the entry-level Hybrid L at $51,900 and the top-spec Hybrid LX (which replaces the old Sport) at $55,900.

Despite being the base model, the Hybrid L is impressively well equipped. It comes standard with heated partial leather front seats, a 10.2-inch digital driver display, a powered tailgate, and adaptive LED headlights.

Step up to the LX for an extra $4,000, and you get full leather seats, heated steering wheel, heated rear seats, Bose sound system, and a 360-degree camera.

Overall, the updated ZR-V is a practical and thoughtfully designed SUV with plenty of clever touches that make it stand out in the compact crossover segment.