Honda Passport vs Honda Pilot: Which One Fits Your Annandale Garage?

THE SHORT ANSWER Honda has confirmed the Prelude returns as a hybrid coupe built on Civic underpinnings, using a two-motor hybrid system similar to the Civic Hybrid. Treat anything past that, including pricing, trims and performance numbers, as unconfirmed until Honda announces it, and plan your next steps around the facts you have. You're stopped at a light on Route 31, scrolling a video that swears the Prelude is coming back with a giant turbo and a stick shift. By the time the light turns green, you've seen two more clips that say the opposite. We hear some version of that story at Clinton Honda in Annandale all the time, so let's walk through what Honda has actually said, what's still guesswork, and what you can do at each stage between now and the day one rolls onto our lot. IN THIS POST Stage One: What Honda Has Confirmed Stage Two: Understanding the Hybrid Powertrain Stage Three: Styling Cues From the Concept Stage Four: Sorting News From Noise as Updates Roll In Stage Five: When to Expect It at Clinton Honda Stage Six: What to Do While You Wait Stage Seven: When It Arrives, Drive It Before You Decide Key takeaways Start with the short list, because it's shorter than the internet makes it look. Honda has said the Prelude is coming back as a hybrid coupe that rides on Civic underpinnings. Power comes from a two-motor hybrid system in the same family as the one in the Civic Hybrid. That foundation tells you a lot. A Civic-based platform points to a compact, front-drive layout and a chassis Honda's engineers already know how to tune for a sharp, connected feel. Going hybrid means this Prelude is built for smooth, responsive everyday driving rather than chasing the old high-revving formula. What hasn't come from Honda yet Price, trim names, option packages and final performance numbers haven't come from Honda. When a video quotes exact figures, it's someone's guess or a number borrowed from another market. Treat Honda's own announcements as the line between fact and rumor, and you won't get your hopes pinned on something that changes later. We'd rather you walk in knowing a little less but knowing it accurately. That's a better place to shop from than a pile of contradicting clips. Stage Two: Understanding the Hybrid Powertrain If you've driven a Civic Hybrid, you already have a feel for what's under the Prelude's hood. Honda's two-motor setup works differently from a gas engine bolted to a conventional transmission. Most of the time an electric motor drives the wheels while the gas engine works mainly as a generator, and at steady highway speeds the engine can connect directly to the wheels. What that means on your drive Picture pulling out of a shopping center onto Route 22, or merging onto Route 78 near Annandale. Electric motors deliver their push right away, so that first squeeze of the pedal feels quick and immediate instead of waiting on a downshift. In stop-and-go traffic, the car leans on its electric side, which tends to feel quiet and smooth. Why a sporty coupe went hybrid Some longtime fans hear the word hybrid and worry the fun got engineered out. Honda's pitch is the opposite: instant response, a planted chassis borrowed from the Civic, and tuning aimed at drivers who enjoy a winding road. There's also software Honda has discussed that makes the hybrid feel more engaging when you push it. You'll judge the final result best from the driver's seat, not from a spec sheet. Stage Three: Styling Cues From the Concept Honda showed the Prelude Concept at the Japan Mobility Show in 2023, and that car is the clearest preview of the production look. It's a low, wide two-door with a long hood, a fastback roofline and a clean body with very few creases. Up front, slim headlights give it a modern face that doesn't shout. Out back, a full-width taillight ties the rear together. Proportions do the heavy lifting here, since a coupe that sits low and wide looks planted even parked in your driveway. Concept versus showroom Concept cars nearly always change on the way to production. Mirrors grow, bumpers adjust for safety rules, wheels often shrink a size, and interior details get more practical. Use the concept as a sense of direction, not a promise down to the last trim piece. Overall shape and attitude usually survive that trip. If the concept's silhouette is what caught your eye, that's a reasonable thing to get excited about. Small details are where we'd hold off judgment until Honda shows the finished car. Stage Four: Sorting News From Noise as Updates Roll In Between now and launch, expect a steady drip of news. Here's the order details usually come out for a new Honda, and how much weight each deserves: Official reveal photos and press releases: solid, straight from Honda. Trim names and feature lists: reliable once Honda publishes them, though some features vary by market. Pricing: typically among the last details announced, often close to the on-sale date. Spy shots and leaked dealer paperwork: interesting, but easy to misread. Forum estimates: entertaining, rarely final. One quick test sorts most of it out. Ask where a claim came from. If the answer is Honda, take it seriously; if it's a friend of a friend, wait. We keep an eye on what Honda shares and pass it along when customers ask. Got a rumor you'd like checked? Reach out to our team and we'll tell you honestly whether it matches anything Honda has announced or still belongs in the speculation pile. Stage Five: When to Expect It at Clinton Honda Once Honda sets a launch date, the rollout to dealerships follows a familiar pattern. Early allocation tends to be limited, especially for an enthusiast model with this much buzz, and the first cars often go to drivers who've already told their dealer they're interested. Our part in the timeline We'll share arrival news as soon as Honda gives it to us, and we'll be straight with you about timing. Nobody here will promise a delivery date that Honda hasn't given us. We've won the DealerRater.com/Cars.com Consumer Satisfaction Award every year since 2015, and we were named the Cars.com NJ Honda Dealer of the Year for 2026. Those mean a lot to us, and they're a big reason we keep the process honest and simple, especially on a car people are this excited about. When Preludes start showing up, they'll appear in our new Honda inventory alongside the rest of the lineup. Checking there, or just letting us know you're interested, is the easiest way to stay in the loop. Stage Six: What to Do While You Wait Waiting doesn't have to mean sitting still. A few steps now can make the day the Prelude arrives a lot easier. Get your numbers in order If you're trading in your current car, know its value early. Our trade-in value tool gives you a starting point, and it's worth checking again closer to launch since values shift over time. Thinking about financing? Talking through options ahead of time helps you set a comfortable monthly budget. Approval and terms always depend on your credit and the lender, so nothing is settled until that review happens. Decide what matters to you Jot down your answers to a few questions: Is this your daily driver, or a weekend car for the back roads around Hunterdon County? Will you carry passengers in the back now and then, or is it mostly just you? How much does fuel economy weigh against pure driving feel? Those answers help you pick a trim quickly once Honda announces them, instead of deciding under pressure on the day. Where 1511 US-22 Annandale, NJ Call (908) 255-1985 KEY TAKEAWAYS Confirmed: a hybrid coupe on Civic underpinnings with a two-motor system like the Civic Hybrid's. Prices, trims and performance numbers floating around online are speculation until Honda announces them. Get your trade value and budget sorted now, then test drive the car once it arrives. FAQ Common questions Is the 2027 Honda Prelude confirmed to be a hybrid? Yes. Honda has confirmed the Prelude returns as a hybrid coupe built on Civic underpinnings, using a two-motor hybrid system similar to the one in the Civic Hybrid. Will the new Prelude have a manual transmission? Honda's two-motor hybrid system doesn't use a conventional multi-speed gearbox, so a traditional clutch-and-stick setup isn't part of how it works. Honda has talked about software that makes the hybrid feel more engaging when you drive it hard, and that's the piece to watch as more news comes out. Can I get on a list for a Prelude at Clinton Honda? Let us know you're interested and we'll reach out as Honda shares arrival details. We'll be honest about timing and won't promise a delivery date before Honda gives us one. How is the Prelude different from a Civic Hybrid? They share underpinnings and the same style of two-motor hybrid system. The Prelude is a two-door coupe with lower, sportier styling and a focus on driving feel, while the Civic Hybrid is the more practical everyday choice. Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Schedule a test drive Browse new inventory Or call (908) 255-1985 · 1511 US-22, Annandale Or keep browsing Current offers Financing Value your trade Book service Contact us Used cars

THE SHORT ANSWER The Civic Type R's drive modes change throttle response, steering weight and suspension stiffness together, letting the same car settle down for a commute or sharpen up for a back road. Comfort, Sport and +R each adjust those systems by a different amount, and an Individual setting lets you mix them to taste. You pull out of the Clinton Honda lot onto Route 78, ease into the on-ramp, and tap a button on the steering wheel without even thinking about it. For most commuters that's where the drive mode story ends. For Civic Type R drivers in Annandale, it's really just the beginning, because that one button changes how the whole car behaves. IN THIS POST What Drive Modes Actually Do Comfort Mode Explained Sport Mode Explained +R Mode Explained How Each Mode Changes the Drive When to Use Which Mode on Route 78 Everyday Livability Getting a Feel for It Yourself Key takeaways What Drive Modes Actually Do A drive mode isn't a gimmick layered on top of the car. It's a set of instructions the Type R's computer sends to the throttle, the steering rack, the adaptive dampers and the exhaust valve all at once, so several systems shift together instead of one at a time. Think of it as the car reading your mood. Flip a switch and the same Civic Type R that glides over potholes near the Round Valley exit can tighten up and feel planted through a sweeping curve ten minutes later. The goal is flexibility. Honda built one chassis that has to work for a grocery run, a daily commute, and the occasional spirited back-road drive, and drive modes are how it pulls that off without you needing three different cars. Comfort Mode Explained Comfort is the setting most owners leave the car in for daily driving. Steering effort stays light, the suspension softens to soak up the seams and patch jobs you find on local roads, and throttle response eases off so the car doesn't lurch every time you touch the pedal. The exhaust note quiets down too, which matters if you're leaving early for work and don't want to wake the neighborhood. This mode trades outright sharpness for a relaxed, predictable feel. Softer suspension for rough pavement Lighter steering for parking lots and tight turns Calmer throttle for smooth takeoffs in traffic It's the mode that makes a Type R livable rather than exhausting, which is exactly the point for a car meant to be driven every day, not just on weekends. Sport Mode Explained Sport sits in the middle, and it's where a lot of drivers land once they get comfortable with the car. Steering weight builds up, giving you more feedback through turns, while throttle response sharpens so the car reacts closer to real time instead of smoothing things out. The suspension firms up a step from Comfort without going full stiff, so you still feel confident hitting an uneven patch of road. It's a good choice for a backed-up commute that still has a few open stretches, or for a drive where you want the car a little more alert without committing to anything extreme. Many owners describe Sport as the setting that makes the car feel like itself: quick, communicative, but not demanding constant attention. It's a reasonable default for anyone who wants more engagement than Comfort offers but isn't headed somewhere with hard corners and elevation changes. +R Mode Explained +R is the sharpest setting, built for the moments when you actually want to feel every input. Throttle response gets its most immediate mapping, steering firms up to its heaviest weight, and the adaptive dampers lock into their stiffest tune so the car stays flat through quick direction changes. The exhaust opens up here too, so the car sounds as alert as it feels. Rev-matching on downshifts becomes more aggressive, helping the car settle faster when you brake hard into a corner. +R isn't meant for potholed side streets or a daily grind through stop-and-go traffic. It's meant for a clear stretch of twisty road or a track day, where the stiffer ride and heavier controls pay off instead of wearing you down. Drop into +R on a rough commute and you'll feel every expansion joint; save it for roads that reward the extra sharpness. How Each Mode Changes the Drive It helps to separate the systems that drive modes actually touch, because each one has a different job. The Three Systems Throttle mapping decides how quickly the engine responds to your foot, steering assist decides how much effort it takes to turn the wheel, and the adaptive dampers decide how firm or soft the suspension feels over bumps. Comfort relaxes all three, +R tightens all three, and Sport lands in between. Individual Mode Many Type R drivers don't realize there's also an Individual setting that lets you mix and match, say firm suspension with lighter steering, so you can build a combination that suits your own roads and preferences rather than picking one of the three preset personalities. It's worth experimenting with once you know how the main three feel, since the right combination for a daily driver in Annandale might differ from what a weekend track regular wants. When to Use Which Mode on Route 78 Local roads make this easier to picture than any spec sheet. Heading onto 78 during the morning crawl toward Bridgewater or Union, Comfort keeps the ride relaxed and takes the edge off stop-and-go traffic. Once traffic opens up past Clinton, or you're running errands around town, Sport adds some liveliness without turning the commute into work. Save +R for the roads where the Civic Type R is really built to shine, places like the curves along Route 513 or a clear backroad loop through Hunterdon County on a weekend morning when you've got room to use the car the way its engineers intended. Switching modes costs nothing and takes a second, so there's no reason to pick one and stick with it. Match the mode to the road in front of you, not the one you expect later. Everyday Livability One of the things that surprises people testing a Civic Type R for the first time is how normal it feels in Comfort. This isn't a car that demands you drive it hard just to keep it happy; it's built to disappear into daily life when you need it to and wake up when you don't. That range is really the whole point of having drive modes in the first place. A car this capable could easily have been built stiff and loud all the time, but Honda clearly wanted the Type R to work as a real daily driver, not just a weekend toy. Parents doing school drop-off, commuters fighting 78 traffic, and weekend canyon carvers are all driving the same car, just in different modes. That flexibility is a big part of what makes the Type R stand out from stricter track-focused hatchbacks that sacrifice everyday comfort for sharpness. Getting a Feel for It Yourself Reading about drive modes only gets you so far. The difference between Comfort and +R is something you feel in your hands and through the seat, not something that fully comes across on paper. If you're curious how the Civic Type R responds on roads you actually drive, the best next step is to book a test drive and try a few modes back to back around Annandale. Bring your regular commute route if you can, since that's the drive that matters most day to day. We've worked with plenty of local drivers weighing a Type R against their daily routine, and Clinton Honda has picked up the DealerRater.com/Cars.com Consumer Satisfaction Award every year since 2015, along with being named the Cars.com NJ Honda Dealer of the Year for 2026. If questions come up about ownership costs or trading in your current car, our financing and trade-in teams can walk through the details with you. Where 1511 US-22 Annandale, NJ Call (908) 255-1985 KEY TAKEAWAYS Comfort, Sport and +R each adjust throttle, steering and suspension together, not one at a time Comfort suits daily commuting on rough or congested roads, while +R is built for open, smooth stretches Individual mode lets you combine settings from different modes to match your own driving FAQ Common questions Does switching drive modes affect fuel use? Throttle mapping and suspension stiffness change how the car responds, but we don't have official fuel economy figures broken out by mode, so it's best to treat Comfort as the more relaxed, efficient choice for daily driving without relying on a specific number. Can I switch modes while driving? Yes, the mode switch works on the fly, even while moving, so you can drop from Sport to Comfort the moment traffic picks up or road conditions change. Is +R mode too stiff for regular roads? Most drivers find +R firm enough that it's better saved for smooth, open roads or a track day, since the stiffest suspension setting tends to transmit every bump and seam on rougher local streets. What does Individual mode let me change? Individual mode lets you combine settings from the other modes, like pairing a stiffer suspension with lighter steering, so you can build a setup that fits your own driving instead of using one of the three presets as-is. Which mode should I use for a test drive at Clinton Honda? Starting in Comfort and working up to Sport and +R during your test drive gives you the clearest sense of the range, and our team can guide you through each one so you know what you're feeling. Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Schedule a test drive Browse new inventory Or call (908) 255-1985 · 1511 US-22, Annandale Or keep browsing Current offers Financing Value your trade Book service Contact us Used cars

THE SHORT ANSWER S+ Shift is a button-activated mode on the 2026 Honda Prelude that makes its hybrid powertrain behave like a geared car, with distinct simulated shifts you can trigger yourself using the paddle shifters. There's no traditional transmission underneath. The stepped engine response and quick reaction to the paddles give the coupe a sportier, more involved feel. Picture merging onto I-78 out of Annandale in a new Prelude, pressing hard on the pedal, and never once touching the paddles behind the steering wheel. That's the most common mistake we expect to see with this car: treating S+ Shift as a gimmick, or not knowing it's there at all. At Clinton Honda, we think it's the feature that most defines the 2026 Prelude. Here's what it does, how to use it, and why it's worth trying. IN THIS POST What S+ Shift Is How to Use It How It Feels Behind the Wheel Why Honda Added It to a Hybrid Coupe Common S+ Shift Mistakes Test Driving the Prelude at Clinton Honda Key takeaways What S+ Shift Is Most hybrids feel smooth but a bit detached when you press hard. Engine speed jumps up and stays there while the car catches up, which drivers often compare to stretching a rubber band. On paper, the Prelude should feel the same way, because its two-motor hybrid system doesn't use a traditional multi-gear transmission. S+ Shift is Honda's answer to that. Turn it on and the car starts acting like it has gears. Engine speed climbs and drops in distinct steps, the display shows which simulated gear you're in, and the paddle shifters let you pick those steps yourself. What's happening underneath Nothing mechanical changes. Honda's software coordinates the gasoline engine, the electric motors and the sound you hear in the cabin to recreate what a shift feels like, from the brief change in pitch to the push as the next step takes over. Think of it as choreography, not hardware. That's also why you can switch the whole experience on and off with a single button. How to Use It You don't need a racing background to get comfortable with S+ Shift. Most people have it figured out within a few miles, especially if they take it in stages instead of grabbing the paddles right away. Here's the order we suggest: Find the button marked S+ Shift and press it while you're driving normally. Leave the paddles alone at first and let the system choose its own shift points, so you learn what a simulated gear change feels like. Pull the right paddle to upshift and the left paddle to downshift. Glance at the gear readout on the display to confirm what you've selected. Press the button again when you want the calm, quiet hybrid back. A habit worth building Shift with intention. Downshift before a curve or a hill, not halfway through it, and let engine speed build a little before you upshift on a merge. Small, early inputs feel natural, while fast, random paddle pulls just feel busy. If you've driven a car with paddle shifters before, the rhythm should feel familiar within a day or two. How It Feels Behind the Wheel Picture the ramp from Route 31 onto I-78 at rush hour. In normal hybrid mode, you press the pedal, the engine note rises and holds, and the Prelude gets up to speed without much drama. With S+ Shift on, that merge comes in steps: a pull, a quick change in tone, then another pull. You can feel how hard the car is working. Downshifts are where most drivers start grinning. Tap the left paddle before a bend on the back roads toward Pittstown or Califon, and the system raises engine speed to match, much the way a skilled driver would with a manual. On a long grade, holding a lower simulated gear gives you a stronger sense of control than letting the car simply coast. When to leave it off S+ Shift isn't meant for every minute behind the wheel. In stop-and-go traffic on Route 22, or on a long, steady cruise, regular hybrid driving is the better fit because it's quieter, smoother and less work. We expect plenty of owners to treat the button like a favorite playlist and save it for the drives that call for it. Why Honda Added It to a Hybrid Coupe The Prelude name has always belonged to a fun, driver-focused coupe. Bringing it back as a hybrid made sense for efficiency and everyday ease. It also gave Honda a problem to solve, though. Plenty of enthusiasts love choosing their own gears, and a smooth, gearless hybrid can feel a little anonymous on a drive you're trying to enjoy. S+ Shift bridges that gap. On weekdays you get the hybrid's quiet commute, and with one button press you get a sportier, more involved character. In Honda's lineup the feature belongs to the Prelude alone, which is a big reason we think it deserves a proper try before you decide on a coupe. What it means for you For a shopper, the real benefit is not having to choose. You don't give up efficiency to get a car that's fun on a Saturday, and you don't have to learn to work a clutch. If you're curious how the Prelude fits your routine, browse our new Honda inventory to see when it's arriving at our Annandale showroom. Common S+ Shift Mistakes We see the same handful of mix-ups whenever a car with a new kind of driving feature reaches our lot. Knowing them ahead of time will make your first week with a Prelude a lot more enjoyable. Never pressing the button. Plenty of drivers stay in regular Drive and assume the paddles do nothing special. Try S+ Shift at least once on a road you know well. Expecting a manual. There's no clutch pedal and no chance of stalling, so relax and drive. Upshifting too soon. Pulling the right paddle the instant you accelerate makes the car feel flat, so let engine speed build first. Using it everywhere. In heavy traffic it adds effort without adding much enjoyment. Judging it in a parking lot. You need a few miles of open road to feel the difference. One more tip Give your passengers a heads-up. The shift feel and changing engine note can surprise someone who's expecting a silent hybrid. A quick explanation keeps everyone comfortable on that first spirited drive. Test Driving the Prelude at Clinton Honda Reading about a simulated downshift only gets you so far. You really have to feel one. When you book a test drive, tell us you want to try S+ Shift, and we'll set aside time to walk you through the button and paddles before you pull out. Plan a route with variety Ask to include: A highway merge, ideally onto I-78 A few curves on a local back road A hill, so you can try a downshift on the way down A stretch of normal traffic with the mode switched off That mix shows you both sides of the car in one outing. Bring whoever will share the Prelude with you, since the person in the passenger seat often has strong opinions about the sound. Clinton Honda has won the DealerRater.com/Cars.com Consumer Satisfaction Award every year since 2015. We were also named the Cars.com NJ Honda Dealer of the Year for 2026. Come see us in Annandale and take your time getting to know the car. Where 1511 US-22 Annandale, NJ Call (908) 255-1985 KEY TAKEAWAYS S+ Shift simulates gear changes. It doesn't add a transmission or a clutch. Press the S+ Shift button, then use the right paddle to upshift and the left to downshift. Try it on a test drive with mixed roads, including a highway merge, some curves and a downhill. FAQ Common questions Is S+ Shift the same as a manual transmission? No. There's no clutch pedal and no conventional gearbox. S+ Shift uses software to make the hybrid system feel like it's moving through gears, and you control those steps with the paddles instead of a stick. Do I have to use the paddle shifters when S+ Shift is on? No. With the mode on, the Prelude can choose its own simulated shift points, so you get the stepped feel without touching the paddles. Reach for them when you want more control, like before a curve or a hill. How do I turn S+ Shift off? Press the S+ Shift button again. The Prelude goes back to its regular hybrid behavior, which is smoother and quieter for commuting and traffic. Can I try S+ Shift on a test drive at Clinton Honda? Yes. When you schedule, let us know you'd like to try S+ Shift. We'll explain the controls before you head out and help you plan a route around Annandale with a highway merge and a few curves. Want to see it in person? Come by for a test drive, or browse what is on the lot right now. Schedule a test drive Browse new inventory Or call (908) 255-1985 · 1511 US-22, Annandale Or keep browsing Current offers Financing Value your trade Book service Contact us Used cars