The 2026 Honda Prelude and 2025 Honda Civic Si both appeal to new car drivers around Anderson, SC who enjoy a spirited drive, but they approach performance in very different ways. Prelude is a hybrid grand-touring coupe with Civic Type R chassis hardware and Honda’s new S+ Shift system, blending efficiency and power in a sleek 2+2 layout. The Civic Si sticks to the classic sport-sedan recipe with a turbocharged engine, 6-speed manual transmission, and everyday practicality at a lower starting price.
On the roads between Anderson and Greenville, the Prelude will stand out as a low, wide sports coupe with 19-inch Berlina Black wheels, flared fenders, and an aggressive stance built around a 2+2 seating layout. Civic Si is a longer, more traditional four-door sedan with 5-passenger seating, a slightly taller roofline, and 18-inch alloy wheels, making it easier to live with as a daily family or commuter car.
Prelude pairs a 2.0L Atkinson-cycle engine with a two-motor hybrid system for a total of 200 horsepower and a strong 232 pound-feet of torque, sent through a direct-drive unit with Honda S+ Shift and alloy paddle shifters. With dual-axis MacPherson front suspension, adaptive dampers, Brembo four-piston front brakes, and 4-mode drive select (Comfort, GT, Sport, Individual), it delivers a refined yet serious grand-touring feel on I-85 or winding back roads.
Civic Si also makes 200 horsepower from a 1.5L turbocharged engine but sends 192 pound-feet of torque through a 6-speed manual with rev-match control and a helical limited-slip differential for drivers who want a more analog, hands-on experience.
If fuel costs matter on your regular drives through Anderson, the Prelude offers a clear advantage with EPA ratings of 46 city / 41 highway / 44 combined and a 10.6-gallon tank. Civic Si is still efficient for a performance sedan, but its 27 city / 37 highway / 31 combined ratings are tuned for balanced fun rather than maximum mpg.
Prelude’s cabin is tailored toward driver-focused grand touring, with leather-trimmed front sport seats, 2+2 seating for four, 84.6 cubic feet of passenger volume, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat to take advantage of 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space for weekend trips out of Anderson. Civic Si offers more overall passenger room at 96.6 cubic feet, seating for five, and 14.1 cubic feet of trunk space, giving it the edge if you frequently carry adult rear passengers or carpool.
Both cars are well-equipped for commuting, with a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a 9-inch color touchscreen, plus Google built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Wi-Fi hotspot capability, and Bluetooth connectivity. Prelude uses an 8-speaker Bose premium sound system with subwoofer, while Civic Si upgrades to a 12-speaker Bose system with subwoofer, giving the sedan an advantage for audio-focused buyers who spend a lot of time in traffic around Anderson.
Both models include the Honda Sensing suite with Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation, Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Traffic Sign Recognition, Blind Spot Information, and Rear Cross Traffic Monitor. Prelude adds Low Speed Braking Control, Traffic Jam Assist, parking sensors front and rear, Electric Servo Brake, and Post-Collision Braking, stacking on additional assistance features that are useful in tight parking areas and busy Anderson shopping centers.
For drivers who want a cutting-edge hybrid sports coupe with grand-touring comfort, advanced chassis hardware, and exceptional fuel economy, the 2026 Prelude is the halo choice. For those who prefer a lower entry price, a traditional manual gearbox, and more usable rear-seat space, the 2025 Civic Si remains a compelling sport sedan. Both are available to explore here at our dealership in Anderson, and a test drive at Piedmont Honda can help you feel which performance flavor fits your daily routes best.
