Honda Benchmarks 2026 Prelude Against Porsche 718, But Only in Having Four Wheels and Being Expensive
Engineers thrilled to confirm both cars also come in colors.
TOKYO—Honda has confirmed that the upcoming 2026 Prelude was benchmarked against the Porsche 718 Cayman, not in the traditional sense of power or performance. Engineers proudly admitted they focused on the more attainable metrics of “having four wheels” and “costing a lot.”
“We wanted to show the world that Honda can play in the same league as Porsche,” said chief engineer Koji Watanabe. “Sure, the 718 has turbocharged engines, razor-sharp handling, and a racing pedigree. But does the Prelude also have four wheels? Yes. Is it also expensive? Yes. I mean, c’mon, what more do you need?”
Early reports suggest the Prelude’s price tag will place it awkwardly between “underpowered entry-level Porsche” and “fully loaded Prius,” a space many analysts refer to as “nonexistent for a reason.” Honda marketing executives, however, are undeterred. “People buy Porsches for prestige,” said spokesperson Aiko Tanaka. “Now, with the Prelude, you can tell your neighbors, ‘I too own a car that costs more than it’s worth.’”
The comparison has left enthusiasts scratching their heads. “I thought benchmarking meant testing lap times at the Nürburgring, not checking if both cars come with windshield wipers,” said Jorge Martinez, a long-time Honda fan. “Are they even testing at the Nürburgring?”
Porsche weighed in on the development. “What the fuck?” asked a Stuttgart representative, barely concealing his laughter. “If they want us to help them with sales, they should just ask. They can rebadge our Boxster like Toyota did if they want.”
Despite skepticism, Honda remains committed to its vision. Watanabe defended the approach: “Some people say it’s a stretch to compare a Prelude to a Porsche. But both start, both stop, and both have steering wheels. If that’s not similar, what is?”
As anticipation builds for the 2026 Prelude, Honda may not match Porsche on performance, power, looks, pedigree, prestige, quality, or acceleration, but when it comes to regular car features even Kias have, they are second to none.
Correction Notice
In our article “Honda Benchmarks 2026 Prelude Against Porsche 718, But Only in Having Four Wheels and Being Expensive,” we failed to note additional similarities. Instagram user @fredpinto_ reminded us that the Prelude will also come standard with side mirrors, seats, and a steering wheel.
We admit this omission was the result of us being haters. Our staff has been sipping too much haterade to properly credit Honda for including the bare minimum.
Going forward, we’ll strive for balance by acknowledging that the 2026 Prelude will also feature tires with air, functioning doors, and possibly even a glove box. Honda has not commented on whether the car will include a gas pedal, but we’ll update readers the moment @fredpinto_ tells us.