After spending a full week behind the wheel of the all-new 2026 Honda Prelude, I walked away impressed, not because it’s trying to be a hardcore sports car, but because Honda has created something that feels genuinely refreshing in today’s market.

The Prelude isn’t built to compete with track-focused performance cars. Instead, it’s designed for drivers who want a stylish coupe that’s fun to drive every day, packed with technology, comfortable on long trips, and incredibly efficient. If you’re shopping for a car that stands out without sacrificing practicality, the Prelude deserves a serious look.

First Impressions

The first thing you’ll notice is the design. The Prelude has a low profile that turns heads without being flashy. It’s modern, elegant, and unmistakably Honda. Throughout my week with the car, people regularly asked about it at gas stations and parking lots, proving Honda has created something that captures attention.

Inside, the cabin feels far more premium than most buyers might expect from a Honda coupe. The digital instrument cluster, head-up display, Bose premium audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Google Built-In, heated seats, and quality materials make every drive enjoyable. Everything is laid out exactly where it should be, making the car easy to live with from day one.

What It’s Like to Drive

The biggest surprise wasn’t the performance; it was how balanced the Prelude feels.

The hybrid powertrain delivers smooth acceleration and instant response around town while remaining exceptionally quiet. Whether I was navigating city traffic or cruising on the highway, the car always felt refined and effortless.

Honda also gives drivers several driving modes, including Comfort, Sport, Individual, and Shift Mode. Comfort is perfect for commuting, while Sport sharpens the car’s personality when the road becomes more interesting. Shift Mode adds another layer of driver involvement using the paddle shifters, making the Prelude feel more engaging than most hybrids I’ve driven.

What impressed me most was the suspension. The adaptive dampers, multi-link suspension, and Brembo front brakes give the Prelude a confident, planted feel through corners without sacrificing ride comfort. It’s a coupe you can enjoy on a winding road, but one that’s equally happy during your daily commute.

One of the Prelude’s biggest strengths is its efficiency.

Outstanding Fuel Economy

Honda estimates up to 44 MPG combined, which means you can enjoy the style and driving experience of a sporty coupe without constantly worrying about fuel costs. During a full week of driving, it became clear this is a car you can comfortably use every single day.

That’s a huge advantage over many traditional sporty coupes that require premium fuel and significantly more trips to the gas station.

Technology and Safety

Honda didn’t cut corners when it comes to technology.

The Prelude includes Honda Sensing, featuring Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, parking sensors, and Traffic Jam Assist. These systems worked naturally throughout my time with the car, adding confidence without feeling intrusive.

Wireless smartphone integration, wireless charging, multiple USB-C ports, and Google Built-In make the technology experience feel modern and intuitive.

Who Should Buy the Prelude?

After a week behind the wheel, I think Honda knows exactly who this car is for.

If you’re looking for a comfortable daily driver that offers excellent fuel economy, premium features, modern technology, distinctive styling, and a driving experience that’s more engaging than the average hybrid, the Prelude checks nearly every box.

It’s especially appealing for buyers who may have considered a compact luxury coupe but appreciate Honda’s reputation for reliability and lower ownership costs.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Honda Prelude isn’t trying to relive the past, it creates its own identity.

It’s stylish without being impractical, efficient without feeling boring, and comfortable without losing the fun that has always been associated with the Prelude name. After spending a week driving it, I came away believing Honda has successfully built a coupe that makes sense in today’s market.

If you’re shopping for a vehicle that’s different from the sea of SUVs and crossovers but still practical enough to drive every day, the new Prelude should absolutely be on your test-drive list.

For me, the biggest takeaway wasn’t just the impressive fuel economy or the technology; it was how complete the entire package feels. Honda has built a coupe that’s enjoyable to own, rewarding to drive, and practical enough to serve as your only vehicle. That’s not an easy balance to achieve, but the 2026 Prelude does it remarkably well.

The latest Ford recall affects more than 741,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles in the U.S. due to a transmission issue that could increase the risk of unintended vehicle movement.

The latest Ford recall impacts 741,195 trucks and SUVs across the Ford and Lincoln brands after a transmission defect was found that could increase the risk of a parked vehicle rolling away. The automaker will update affected vehicles through dealerships and inspect any damaged components as necessary.

The recall involves several popular models sold in the United States between the 2018 and 2021 model years.

Ford recall affects popular trucks and SUVs

The Ford recall includes the following vehicles:

• 2018–2021 Ford Expedition
• 2018–2021 Lincoln Navigator
• 2020–2021 Ford Explorer
• 2020–2021 Lincoln Aviator
• 2020–2021 Ford F-150

According to the automaker, a transmission valve body separator plate may restrict fluid flow to the parking mechanism, potentially damaging the parking pawl over time and preventing it from properly holding the vehicle when parked.

More than 741,000 Ford and Lincoln vehicles are included in the latest recall.

Warning signs and potential risks

Owners affected by the Ford recall may notice a warning light on the instrument cluster if the transmission does not fully engage the Park position.

In some cases, the electronic parking brake may automatically activate to help reduce the risk of unintended vehicle movement. However, if damage has already occurred, the parking system may no longer function correctly.

Ford has reported multiple property damage claims and several alleged injuries associated with the issue.

Dealers will update affected vehicles

To resolve the Ford recall, dealerships will update the vehicle’s Powertrain Control Module (PCM) software at no cost to owners.

Technicians will also inspect the parking mechanism and replace damaged components when necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed during August.

Ford recommends that owners of affected vehicles schedule the repair as soon as they receive their recall notice.

Dealers will perform a software update and inspect the parking system.Safety remains the priority

The Ford recall is one of the largest issued by the automaker this year and highlights the importance of addressing potential transmission-related safety concerns before they lead to more serious incidents.

Owners can verify whether their vehicle is included by checking their VIN through Ford’s recall website or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Affected owners will receive recall notifications by mail.

The Ford recall demonstrates the company’s continued efforts to address potential safety issues across some of its most popular trucks and SUVs. Prompt repairs and software updates are expected to eliminate the risk and restore proper parking system operation.

Subaru’s electric lineup in the United States is starting to take a much more serious shape, and the new Uncharted GT may be the clearest sign of that yet. Positioned as a smaller and sportier electric crossover than the Solterra, the Uncharted arrives with a more compact footprint, bold fastback styling and enough performance to immediately become one of the quickest mainstream Subarus on sale. That alone makes it a significant addition for the brand, but the bigger story is what it represents: Subaru is finally trying to make one of its EVs feel genuinely exciting, not just practical.

That is why the Uncharted GT matters right now. This is not just another electric crossover entering an already crowded segment. It is Subaru attempting to build a more youthful, more dynamic EV for the American market — one that still leans on the brand’s rugged image, but packages it in a shape and performance envelope that feels much more modern.

The new Subaru Uncharted GT gives the brand a smaller, quicker and more aggressive electric crossover for the U.S. market.

Subaru Is Finally Adding A Smaller EV With Real Performance Credentials

The Uncharted slots below the Solterra in Subaru’s electric lineup, but it is not being pitched as a stripped-down entry model. Instead, Subaru is using it to target buyers who want a compact EV with stronger performance and a more expressive design than the average small crossover.

The headline numbers explain why the GT version is the one that immediately grabs attention. While the base Uncharted Premium uses a single-motor front-wheel-drive setup, the upper trims move to a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration with up to 338 horsepower, giving the crossover performance that puts it in a very different conversation from the typical affordable EV. Subaru says the Uncharted can deliver more than 300 miles of range in certain versions, while still offering the brand’s familiar all-weather confidence in AWD form.

For Subaru, that combination matters. It means the Uncharted is not just a compliance-style EV or a softer urban runabout. It is a compact electric crossover that tries to bring together range, speed and Subaru-style versatility in a much more compelling way than some of the brand’s earlier electrification efforts.

The GT Version Is The One That Changes The Conversation

The GT is where the Uncharted becomes more than just another small EV.

Subaru is clearly positioning this trim as the halo version of the lineup, pairing the stronger dual-motor powertrain with a more upscale feature set and a sharper visual attitude. That matters because the GT gives Subaru something it has not really had in the EV space so far: a model that can be sold on emotion as much as practicality.

With up to 338 horsepower in dual-motor form, the Uncharted GT is shaping up to be one of Subaru’s quickest mainstream EVs.

And that emotional angle is important. The EV market in the U.S. is now full of competent crossovers, but not all of them feel memorable. Subaru seems to understand that if the Uncharted is going to stand out, it has to offer more than decent range and a reasonable price. It has to look different, feel quicker and bring a stronger personality to the table.

A Smaller Subaru EV That Still Wants To Feel Like A Subaru

The challenge for the Uncharted is obvious: it has to expand Subaru’s EV lineup without losing too much of the identity buyers expect from the brand.

That is why Subaru is leaning so heavily into the crossover’s all-weather and adventure-ready positioning, even if the Uncharted is clearly more road-focused than something like a Wilderness-badged SUV. Available all-wheel drive, X-MODE, added ground clearance and a more upright crossover stance all help reinforce that familiar Subaru promise of confidence in poor weather and on rougher surfaces. At the same time, the fastback roofline and more compact proportions give the Uncharted a very different personality from the brand’s boxier family vehicles.

In other words, Subaru is trying to thread a difficult needle here. It wants the Uncharted to feel fresh enough to pull in EV shoppers who might never have considered the brand before, while still making sure loyal Subaru buyers recognize enough of the formula to take it seriously.

The Uncharted Could Be A Much Bigger Deal Than It Looks At First

What makes the Uncharted especially interesting is that it may end up doing more for Subaru’s EV strategy than the Solterra ever could.

The Solterra helped Subaru get into the electric game, but the Uncharted feels closer to the kind of product that could actually expand the brand’s reach. It is smaller, more urban-friendly, more visually distinctive and potentially more accessible to buyers who want an EV that does not feel oversized or overly anonymous. The GT, in particular, gives the lineup a version with enough punch to inject some excitement into the conversation.

The Uncharted’s cabin brings a more modern EV-focused layout to Subaru’s lineup while keeping the crossover practical enough for everyday use.

That is why this launch matters beyond a single trim. Subaru is not just adding another crossover. It is trying to build a better bridge between its traditional SUV audience and a newer group of EV buyers who want style, speed and daily usability in one compact package.

Subaru May Have Found Its Most Promising EV Formula Yet

The Uncharted GT still has to prove itself in a fiercely competitive market, but on paper it already looks like one of Subaru’s most interesting electric products in years.

It gives the brand a smaller EV with real range, legitimate power, available all-wheel drive and a more distinctive shape than the usual electric crossover formula. More importantly, it gives Subaru a product that feels like it was designed to generate actual enthusiasm rather than simply fill a gap in the lineup.

The Uncharted GT could end up becoming one of the most important EVs Subaru has launched in the U.S. market.

If Subaru gets the pricing, positioning and marketing right, the Uncharted GT could become a much bigger story than a simple new trim level. It could be the model that finally gives the brand an EV with enough character to matter beyond its existing customer base.