25 years after the discontinuation of the Prelude, Honda has revived the model for a new sixth-generation version based on the Civic hybrid. However, as notable as it is that the badge has made a return, it’s really the car’s implications that earned it a spot on this list.
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For one, the Prelude — true to its heritage — is packed full of innovation, as its Honda S+ Shift drive mode brings simulated gear shifts to a hybrid-electric powertrain.
By precisely managing engine RPM and integrating paddle shifters, Honda has made it so that the car can mimic downshift blips, rev matching, gear holding and enhanced engine sounds, even though it’s a pair of electric motors that actually drive the wheels.
What’s more, the Prelude makes for the first hybrid-electric model to incorporate the chassis components from the legendary Civic Type R.
