Against 344 other Hybrid cars rated 2024–2026, the Prelude beats their 28 mpg average by 16 mpg, about $498 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 1984, the 2L 4-cyl Hybrid (2026), does 44 mpg and the thirstiest, the 2L 4-cyl (1988–1991), 22: $872 a year apart.
Every Honda Prelude engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 46 / 41 | 2026–2026 | $873 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21.8 / 29 | 1984–1987 | $1,567 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20.4 / 25.9 | 1992–2001 | $1,692 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 19.5 / 25.3 | 1988–1991 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Nissan Sentra gets 33.5 mpg, the Audi A3 28 mpg and the Audi S3 26 mpg, next to 44 mpg for the 2026 Prelude. The Prelude is the cheapest of them to run: $604 a year less than the Audi S3.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2026) | $0.073 |
| Fuel per year | $873 |
| Fuel over five years | $4,365 |
| Against other Hybrid cars, 2024–2026 | −$498 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,803 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2026 Honda Prelude does better in town than out of it: 46 in the city against 41 on the highway, $102 a year in favor of city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2026) | 46 mpg | $835 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 41 mpg | $937 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | -5 mpg (-11%) | Reversed — it does better in town than on the open road |
How the Prelude changed over the years
The Prelude peaked in 2026 at 44 mpg (46 city, 41 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1999 at 21 — 23 mpg apart, or $956 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The biggest single-year change came in 1988: 25 to 22 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 46 / 41 | 1 | $873 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2000 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1999 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1998 | 20 / 24 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1996 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1995 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1994 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1993 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1992 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1991 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1990 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1989 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1988 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1987 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1986 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1985 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1984 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 18 EPA ratings of the Honda Prelude — 4 engines across 1984–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,803. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2026 Honda Prelude get?
44 mpg combined, 46 city and 41 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1984 the Prelude has averaged 24.1 mpg.
Which Prelude year has the best gas mileage?
The 2026, at 44 mpg combined (46 city, 41 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
Does the Prelude get better gas mileage than the Nissan Sentra?
Yes: 44 mpg for the 2026 Prelude against 33.5 for the 2026 Nissan Sentra, about $273 a year less to run.
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