Honda Prelude’s Canadian Price Will Leave US Buyers Feeling Duped

Several Honda models have crept up in price over the past few years, but few would have guessed the 2026 Prelude would take things this far. Priced at $43,195 in the States, including a $1,195 destination fee, it strolls into a price bracket that feels a bit delusional for a front-wheel-drive hybrid coupe wearing a Honda badge.

More: 2026 Prelude Costs $42,000, Has Honda Lost The Plot Or Pulled A Genius Move?

If you happen to live north of the border, though, things look a little bit different. Canadian buyers can pick up the keys for nearly $7,000 less than their American counterparts, a gap wide enough to make anyone double-take at the exchange rate.

Why The Price Gap?

Honda says the 2026 Prelude will start at CA$49,990 in Canada, or CA$52,987 with fees included. Converted, that works out to roughly $35,535 and $37,687 in U.S. dollars respectively.

As for the discrepancy, there’s no official explanation, though we suspect tariffs are certainly part of the equation. Canada’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTP) means Japanese-built cars can qualify for zero-percent duty.

By contrast, the United States adopted a new trade framework in late 2025, adding a 15 percent tariff on most Japanese imports, including autos. While less severe than earlier proposals, it’s still higher than previous rates.

Of course, this isn’t an isolated case. Many Honda models sell for less in Canada than in the U.S. The Civic Si, for instance, starts at CA$39,562, or about US$28,136, while the same car south of the border begins at US$32,190, destination charge included.

Prelude vs The Competition

Much like the 2026 Prelude in the US, the Canadian model’s price tag puts it well above much of the competition. For example, the current Subaru BRZ starts at CA$32,695, and a Hyundai Elantra N is available from just CA$40,949, all while offering way more performance than the new hybrid Prelude.

Then there’s the hot topic of the Nissan Z. It starts at CA$53,843 in Canada, almost the same as the Prelude, all while delivering way more grunt and driving thrills. In fact, whereas the Prelude borrows its powertrain from the standard Civic Hybrid and delivers the same puny 200 hp, the Z’s twin-turbocharged V6 muscles out a thunderous 400 hp and 350 lb-ft.

What about the Civic Type R? Currently, the potent hot hatch’s inventory in Canada remains extremely limited, so finding one could prove difficult. But, if you can, it starts at CA$53,100 before fees, which is just CA$3,000 more than the Prelude, all while having more power and an equally impressive interior.

It’s hard to estimate how well, or how poorly, the new Prelude will sell at this early stage, but given the hefty price tag, we’d be shocked if it proved to be anything other than a low-selling, niche vehicle.

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