Honda Prelude Sales Are Neck and Neck With Subaru BRZ

Honda reported its U.S. February sales results this week, with the brand posting a modest 0.6% year-to-date increase over 2025, excluding Acura. The company sold 97,226 vehicles in February and has accumulated 186,801 sales for the year so far. Models like the CR-V, Civic, and Accord continued to lead the way for Honda, while on the other side of the spectrum, the still-fresh Prelude coupe moved just 299 units in February. While that represents a fraction of Honda’s total sales, the Prelude is actually on track to meet its annual sales target. It’s also keeping pace with one of its closest—and much cheaper—Japanese rivals.

Related: 2026 Honda Prelude First Drive Review: The Ideal Entry Point into Car Enthusiast Culture

Honda Prelude and Subaru BRZ Tied in 2026 Sales

Across the first two months of the year, the Prelude and BRZ each tallied sales of 515 models. In February, the Prelude actually outsold the BRZ by 22 units. For all the complaints about the Prelude’s high starting price ($42,000) and so-so performance (200 horsepower), it’s still keeping pace with one of the only other two-door compact sports coupes.

The BRZ starts at a much more attainable $35,860, makes a stronger 228 hp, and comes with a manual gearbox. It’s a purer sports car, but it’s also not as premium-feeling or well-equipped as the newer Prelude.

Honda said it aims to sell just 4,000 Preludes annually, which works out to roughly 333 units per month. It nearly got there in February, despite that being a generally slow month for car sales. Harsh weather and tighter budgets after the year-end holiday season often impact car sales early in a new year. All things considered, the Prelude looks set to meet Honda’s modest sales target.

Other Honda Sales Highlights

Elsewhere in Honda’s lineup, the CR-V continued to be the brand’s biggest seller, with 31,625 sales in February. It was followed by the Civic (18,225), Accord (10,966), Pilot (10,460), and HR-V (9,983). 

The automaker achieved an all-time February sales record for hybrids, with 30,671 sold. This includes the Civic, Accord, CR-V, and Prelude hybrids. Passenger car sales were up by 8.9%, while the new Passport continued a great run, with 4,746 units sold. That’s a 35.7% increase over February 2025, making the Passport Honda’s fastest-growing model last month. It was also the Passport’s best-ever February, and the TrailSport trims are still accounting for over 80% of the model mix. 

Major supply issues hit Honda hard in 2025, but it’s been a promising start to the year for the Japanese marque. Hybrid sales are up, but the decision to boost production of cheaper non-hybrid models is also reaping rewards early this year.

Finally, the Prelude is close to delivering on Honda's targets. A hybrid without a manual may not thrill fans of the older Preludes, but the new one is a stylish, premium coupe that has successfully transitioned the nameplate into the modern era.

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