After years of speculation and a long-awaited comeback, the Honda Prelude is almost ready to return — almost. At this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Honda rolled out what it’s calling a “near-production prototype” of the sixth-generation Prelude, signaling a strong hint that the final product isn’t far off. But as close as it may look, don’t reach for your wallet just yet. You still can’t buy one.

The Prelude’s reemergence on the famous Goodwood hill climb marks its second consecutive appearance at the UK’s celebrated automotive showcase. While last year’s concept version was a strictly look-but-don’t-touch affair — windows blacked out, doors locked — this year Honda opened the cabin to the public, giving attendees their first real glimpse inside. Even more significantly, the Boost Blue Pearl model actually ran the hill this time, showing that the new Prelude isn’t just a design exercise — it moves.

From what we’ve seen, the upcoming Prelude is shaping up as a sleek, three-door liftback that fills the void left by the discontinued Civic Coupe. It balances a sporty profile with just enough practicality, thanks to split-folding rear seats and a cabin that draws heavily from the current Civic and Integra. Just don’t expect much rear headroom — the sloped roofline and thick C-pillars may look good, but they don’t do any favors for visibility or tall passengers.

Honda purists hoping for a return to three-pedal driving might be disappointed. The new Prelude will be automatic-only, putting to rest any rumors of a manual hybrid revival like the one we briefly saw with the CR-Z. Instead, drivers get an S+ mode that sharpens throttle response and simulates eight-speed shifts through steering wheel paddles. Engine sound is also artificially enhanced — a growing trend among hybrids and EVs that may leave some enthusiasts rolling their eyes.

Still, Honda isn’t cutting corners when it comes to chassis and dynamics. While exact powertrain specs remain under wraps, we know the new Prelude will borrow the Civic Type R’s dual-axis front suspension and adaptive dampers. It also benefits from wider tracks, a shorter wheelbase, and a stiffer structure that’s 10% lighter than the Civic’s. In other words, this Prelude isn’t just a style statement — it’s got the underpinnings of a genuinely competent driver’s car.

Just don’t expect it to be a track-day weapon. Honda has already made it clear that the Prelude isn’t meant to be the most aggressive car in its lineup. It’s not chasing lap records or Nürburgring times. Instead, it aims to be a more refined, daily-usable performance hybrid — something sporty, but approachable.

Interestingly, the design doesn’t seem to draw much inspiration from the original five generations of Preludes. It’s modern, clean, and purposefully avoids retro cues. While that may disappoint nostalgia-driven fans, at least Honda didn’t pull a Mitsubishi and turn the Prelude into a crossover.

Sales are expected to begin in the United States later this year, with European availability following in 2026. As for pricing, performance figures, and full tech specs, Honda is still playing it close to the chest. But with this near-production model already climbing hills and opening its doors, we likely won’t be waiting too much longer.