Tag Archives: Price

News

Dealer Listings Reveal Prelude Could Be Honda’s Priciest “Affordable” Coupe Yet

Honda still hasn’t officially told us what you’ll have to shell out for the reborn 2026 Prelude, but several dealers appear happy to spill the beans early—and if they’re right, Honda’s nostalgic two-door comeback won’t be the affordable coupe some fans hoped it would be.

Dealer Listings Point to a Mid-$40K Prelude

Barber Honda in Bakersfield, California, is the biggest canary in this pricing coal mine. The dealership currently lists the Prelude on Autotrader with an MSRP of $43,850, while its in-house website pegs the car at $42,655. That $1,195 spread is suspiciously identical to Honda’s destination charge for MY25 vehicles—meaning the latter figure may be the Prelude’s real MSRP before destination.

Two more dealers have joined the party. Honda of Denton in Texas and Lehigh Valley Honda in Pennsylvania are both showing $43,650 MSRPs, though none of the listings clarify which trim levels—or nonexistent options—the prices reflect.

What we can say is that the Prelude appears to be arriving not as a budget-minded base model, but as a fully loaded, single-spec machine with premium touches already baked in.

A Pricey Return to the Affordable Coupe Segment

Earlier industry whispers put the Prelude closer to $38,000, and Motor Trend later revised its estimate to $42,000. Dealer pricing now suggests the actual sticker could be a bit north of that—potentially placing the Prelude at the very top of what can reasonably be called the “affordable coupe” segment.

That makes for some awkward comparisons:

  • Toyota GR86: $30,800
  • Ford Mustang EcoBoost: $32,320
  • Honda Prelude (est.): ~$42,650

Sure, neither the GR86 nor the Mustang gives you standard leather, Bose audio, or Honda’s hybrid tech. But a $10K–$12K gulf is tough to ignore—especially when the Prelude’s output is just 200 horsepower.

The GR86 delivers 228 hp, and even the automatic-only Mustang EcoBoost leaves both in the dust at 315 hp. Add in the fact that Honda’s hybrid system eliminates the possibility of a manual transmission, and driving purists will need to think hard about what they value more: efficiency and refinement, or old-school engagement.

Against the Nissan Z, the Prelude Looks Particularly Vulnerable

The dealer-suggested $$43K ballpark sticks the Prelude right next to the $42,970 Nissan Z. And here’s where things get uncomfortable for Honda:

  • Nissan Z (base)
    • 400 hp twin-turbo V6
    • Available manual
    • Rear-drive platform
    • Starts slightly below the Prelude’s rumored price

True, the Z skimps on upscale materials unless you climb to the $52K Performance trim. But for many shoppers, 400 horsepower and a three-pedal setup will be more compelling than leather seats and a premium stereo.

The Civic Type R Problem

Then there’s the threat lurking in Honda’s own backyard. A 2025 Civic Type R stickers at $45,895, delivering a punchy 315 hp and one of the best manual gearboxes on sale. Even if the refreshed CTR ends up pricier, the monthly payment difference next to a ~$43K Prelude would be negligible.

When the performance halo of your own brand is only a coffee a month away, it becomes harder to justify a slower, automatic-only coupe—no matter how stylish or premium it feels.

So What Is the Prelude Now?

If dealer listings prove accurate, the 2026 Prelude won’t be an inexpensive entry point into sporty coupes. Instead, Honda appears to be positioning it as a refined, feature-rich, hybrid grand-touring coupe that prioritizes comfort, tech, and style over outright performance.

That’s not necessarily a bad strategy—just a different one. But it does mean buyers expecting the spiritual successor to the high-revving, front-drive Preludes of old may find themselves surprised at the checkout counter.

Source: Honda/Barber

News

The 2026 Cadillac Celestiq Gets Pricier—and More Exclusive

Cadillac’s ultra-luxury flagship, the Celestiq, was never meant to be a volume seller. It’s the brand’s grand statement piece, a hand-built EV designed to show what the company can do when the accountants leave the room. And now, it’s getting even more exclusive—thanks to a higher price tag.

For 2026, the Celestiq will start in the low $400,000 range, a bump of roughly $60,000 over the 2025 model, according to Automotive News. Cadillac justifies the increase by making the smart glass roof standard—an extravagant panel that lets each passenger dial in their own level of tint—and by bundling in eight years of connected services.

That’s right: even a $400K luxury EV isn’t immune to subscription talk. But at least Cadillac is throwing in a few perks for good measure, including a streamlined personalization process for customers who might prefer to spend less time in the configurator and more time deciding between the house in Aspen or the chalet in Verbier.

Introduced in late 2022, the Celestiq marked Cadillac’s most dramatic pivot toward electrification yet. Riding on GM’s Ultium platform, the dual-motor setup delivers 655 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque, hustling the nearly 19-foot-long EV to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds when using Velocity Max mode. Underneath, adaptive air suspension and Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 keep things composed, while four-wheel steering ensures it can maneuver with grace that belies its size.

Inside, the Celestiq is a tech playground. There’s a pillar-to-pillar HD display, a 38-speaker AKG sound system, and even heated armrests. The cabin is dotted with 3D-printed parts, a nod to the car’s bespoke craftsmanship. Cadillac insists that no two Celestiqs will ever be alike—and given the made-to-order paint, materials, and trim options, that might actually be true.

For all its avant-garde features, the Celestiq remains an old-school luxury idea executed with new-school tools: hand-built in Michigan, limited to just 25 units per model year, and priced to squarely target the likes of Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Cadillac has already sold every 2025 example, but order books for the 2026 model are now open.

If the goal was to prove that American luxury can still rival Europe’s finest—just with electrons instead of V12s—Cadillac might just have built its strongest argument yet.

Source: Automotive News

News

Nissan Slashes Ariya Price to Qualify for UK EV Grant

Nissan has given its flagship electric SUV a substantial price haircut, making the Ariya more attainable — and more competitive — in the UK’s red-hot EV market.

Following a major price shuffle, the Ariya now joins the list of 19 models eligible for the UK’s Electric Car Grant (ECG). Until now, Nissan’s stylish crossover sat frustratingly above the scheme’s £37,000 cap in all trims, preventing buyers from pocketing the £1500 discount.

That changes with the introduction of the Ariya Shiro, a newly minted entry-level model that drops the starting price from £39,645 to £33,500 after the grant. The Shiro wears exclusive pearlescent white paint, comes in Engage trim, and packs a 63kWh battery good for everyday driving. Buyers who want the beefier 87kWh pack can still sneak under the threshold, with pricing from £35,500.

Only front-wheel-drive Engage models qualify for the grant, while the mid-spec Advance trim starts at £37,500 and the all-wheel-drive e-4orce kicks off at £45,500. Performance enthusiasts eyeing the Nismo edition will need deeper pockets — its price remains an unapologetic £56,630.

The move means both of Nissan’s current UK EVs are now grant-eligible, with the all-new Micra starting at £21,495 including the £1500 incentive. Looking ahead, the brand’s UK lineup is set to expand with the third-generation British-built Leaf later this year — a prime candidate for the higher £3750 discount — followed by an all-electric Juke in 2026 from the company’s Sunderland plant.

“Nissan Ariya now offers greater value without sacrificing the innovation, design, and performance customers expect,” said Fiona Mackay, Nissan GB’s marketing director. “It’s all part of removing barriers to EV ownership and helping more drivers make the switch to zero emissions.”

For EV shoppers, that “barrier removal” translates into one of the most significant price drops in the segment this year — and a sign Nissan is willing to play hardball in the increasingly crowded electric SUV market.

Source: Autocar