The Honda Prelude e:HEV is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre petrol direct-injection Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder twin-cam internal combustion engine (ICE) unit.

It is mated to two electric motors, a 1.06kWh battery and an electronic single-speed gearbox (dubbed e-CVT) and allows for pure-EV, hybrid and pure-ICE drive, according to the situation.

Of the two electric motors, one is a 135kW traction unit that helps power the front wheels and the other is a 105kW generator that charges the battery.

So, while maximum power is officially 135kW, it’s about 150kW combined, while torque is also considerably greater than the 315Nm quoted.

There are also four drive settings to choose from: Comfort, GT, Sport and the multi-configurable Individual, and each provides a much broader bandwidth of both performance and comfort than any Prelude sold previously in Australia has ever managed.

Aiding the former is Honda’s S+ Shift system, which provides manual control and sharper responses via steering-wheel paddle shifters. It allows for eight artificially stepped ratios that feel (and sound) like blipping up and down gears.

The Honda Prelude e:HEV brings a range of high-end features, including adaptive dampers, front Brembo brakes, dual-pinion electric power steering, a dual-axis strut front suspension from the Civic Type R, 19-inch light alloy wheels shod with Continental PremiumContact 6 tyres, four driving modes, S+ Shift with paddles and active sound control.

Also standard are bolstered and heated front sports seats, leather trim, climate control air-conditioning, Bose premium audio, a 9.0-inch multimedia touchscreen, 10.2-inch electronic instrumentation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a smartphone charger, two USB-C outlets, adaptive cruise control, and Google Built-In with free subscription, along with Honda Connect remote-car access tech, for the first three years.

Fitted, too, is a rollcall of advanced driver assist systems (ADAS), including autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blind-spot monitoring. The only thing that’s missing is a spare wheel. You’re stuck with a totally inadequate tyre-repair kit.

The Honda Prelude e:HEV is a three-door liftback design that is more in keeping with the company’s smaller (and also Civic-derived) Integra series.

Sliding down and into the low cabin reveals a typically contemporary Honda dashboard style and layout, though the detailed finishes are unique to the coupe.

The front buckets seats are heavily bolstered for comfort and support, while the driving position is amongst the best in any new vehicle, ahead of a chunky little steering wheel, with plenty of space and easy access to all switchgear and controls. The fit and finish inside is impeccable.

Horizontal in orientation, there is a 10.2-inch electronic and multi-configurable instrumentation cluster ahead of the driver, a 9.0-inch touchscreen in the centre, a symmetrical set of welcome buttons and tactile dials for the climate control system and a strip of crosshatch ventilation outlets running the width of the fascia. Only some of these are functional.

There is also a wireless tray for a smartphone, USB-C ports and reliable wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

Other plus points include superb premium audio sound, thoughtfully sited storage and excellent build quality. 

But there are minus points too, though, including fiddly exterior door handles, a driver's seat rake lever that feels out-of-place flimsy, a confusing transmission toggle/button combination, no overhead grab handles and poor over-shoulder reverse vision.

The rear seat is kids-only, with small, plain fabric-faced seats, limited kneeroom and lack of head space. For most people it would be emergency-only transport.

The Honda Prelude e:HEV can accelerate from standstill to 100km/h (0-100km/h) in around 8.2 seconds, on the way to a top speed of 188km/h. However, several independent tests show the 0-100km/h time being closer to 7.5s (or less).

The Honda Prelude e:HEV is unique in having asymmetrical front bucket seats, with the driver’s side being more heavily bolstered to provide greater cornering support. Both front seats are leather trimmed, heated and come with manual adjustment.

The rear seats are very token in their design and presentation, being small, flat and finished in a woven cloth material, with no useable head restraint for all but the shortest of occupants. The roofline slopes at an angle that also eats into headroom.

The rear backrests are split 50/50 to increase cargo capacity.

The Honda Prelude e:HEV can run on 91 RON standard unleaded petrol, and offers an ADR 81/02-rated combined average of 4.3 litres per 100km, which translates to a carbon dioxide emissions rating of 98 grams/km.

Topping the 40L fuel tank should allow an average range of 930km between refills.