Overview & Reviews
Introduced in 1979, the Honda Prelude was the company's first attempt at building an exciting car that still held true to the core Honda values of intelligent design and reliability. Over the next two decades, the two-door sport coupe would become the primary performance car in the Honda lineup. Although it was outfitted with relatively powerful engines in later generations, the Prelude was not a muscle car. It was built around handling and drivability, while providing enough power to remain competitive.
Over its life, several new technologies for Honda were pioneered on the Prelude, such as fuel injection, four-wheel steering and Honda's Active Torque Transfer System. The Prelude was also the first Honda model to get VTEC, the company's variable valve timing engine technology.
Though the Honda Prelude was very popular throughout the '80s, consumer interest waned in the '90s. Eventually, the Prelude was trapped in an under-$30,000 no-man's land. For a sporty front-wheel-drive coupe, it was just too pricey, and it didn't have sports car looks or a sufficiently premium feel. By the turn of the millennium, the sport coupe market was a shadow of its former self. Honda dropped the Prelude without a replacement after the 2001 model year. As a pre-owned option, however, the rewarding and reliable Prelude merits serious consideration from driving enthusiasts on a budget.
Most Recent Honda Prelude
If you're searching for a used Honda Prelude, you'll likely be encountering the fifth and final generation, which was sold from 1997-2001. It was larger and heavier than any of the previous models. It was also the most dynamic. There were two trim levels: base and Type SH. Both got a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine with VTEC and a standard five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic was available as an option on the base model. Initially, the engine put out 195 horsepower, but in 1999, Honda bumped maximum power up to 200 hp in the manual-transmission models.
Both trims were equipped with a generous array of standard features that included 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS, cruise control, a sunroof, air-conditioning and full power accessories. The main difference between the base model and the Type SH was the addition of Honda's Active Torque Transfer System, an electronic system that distributed torque to the outside drive wheel in cornering situations. Its purpose was to minimize understeer and thus mimic rear-wheel-drive cornering characteristics.
In road and comparison tests, our editors found the Honda Prelude Type SH to be one of the best-handling cars in its class -- truly a driver's car. It was nimble and well balanced, while also maintaining a decent amount of ride comfort. There was just enough engine performance to be sporty, with the VTEC four performing a Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation in feel and sound above 5,200 rpm. Zero-to-60 times were in the low 7s. In 1999, the Prelude won Edmunds.com's Editors' Most Wanted award for Best Sport Coupe ($10,000-$25,000). In 2000, it won again for Best Sport Coupe.
Despite being a great-performing car, the Honda Prelude was lacking in other areas. The interior boasted high-quality materials and construction, but it lacked the visual pizzazz buyers had come to expect from a car with a $26,000 price tag. Honda maintained a conservative approach here, filling the cabin with a monochromatic color scheme and Accord-like gauges and controls. The front seats, though comfortable, weren't available in leather and had limited adjustability. The rear seats had minimal legroom. The fifth-generation Prelude has aged well, however, as that restrained interior design now seems classier and less dated than brash designs like the contemporary Toyota Celica.
Past Honda Preludes
The other Honda Prelude one should consider is the fourth-generation model, which was sold for the 1992-'96 model years. A complete overhaul of the previous model, this Prelude was slightly shorter, much wider and a far better-handling car. The S trim featured a 135-hp 2.2-liter SOHC four-cylinder. The Si had a 160-hp 2.3-liter DOHC four-cylinder with a healthy 156 pound-feet of torque. From 1993 on, the fourth-generation Prelude could also be had in range-topping Si VTEC trim, which brought a 2.2-liter 190-hp DOHC four equipped with Honda's electronic variable valve timing (VTEC) system. A four-wheel-steering system was available in 1992-'93, though only on the Si model.
In general, the fourth-generation Prelude earned favorable commentary in reviews at the time. It offered excellent handling, and nearly all who drove it liked the power of the VTEC-equipped engine. Criticisms were mostly directed at the car's odd interior design. A sweeping blacked-out instrument cluster extended across the entire dash, and few found the mix of analog and digital gauges appealing.
User Reviews:
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Fun to Drive for short time - 1996 Honda Prelude
By Club VTEC - August 19 - 2:00 amI personally love Prelude 92-96 Model. It is really fun to drive but not for long drive. The seat is not comfortable. This is a great car to have. Dont miss it
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I love my Lude!! - 1992 Honda Prelude
By Akane-chan - August 17 - 2:00 amThe Honda Prelude is my 1st car and I would never dream or ponder of selling it. I bought it just under 100K the handling is awesome, the body is strong (I was in a hit and run and thanks to its strong body styling I didnt get as hurt as I should have) and wow I have never seen a car get so many glances. ^.~ It has a lot of power for a 4 Cylinder, speedy, and very sporty. The interior is perfect with its bucket seats, and I believe even the stock system is awesome. I have installed a cd-deck so it sounds crisp and clean. Besides everything, Ive had few minimal problems with my Lude other than the normal changes and tune-ups. Its fun to drive!!
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Worth every penny Ive paid for it - 1999 Honda Prelude
By GreggK - August 16 - 2:00 amThis car really stands out. Ive made over 50000 miles in it and...nothing and thats what I love about hondas, I see my friends dragging their VWs back and forth to the dealer, with milage thats half of mine (German engineered and made in mexico...). But really Ive been looking to replace this car and there is nothing that even comes close. Toyota stopped making nice cars years ago, when they decided to hit all the age groups with their designs and thier cars are simply anal. The only alternative I was considering was VW, but they seem to have so many mechanical problems that Id rather stay headache-free with older honda
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H22A VTEC is Excellent!! - 1994 Honda Prelude
By AsianChris - August 16 - 2:00 amThis car is great. The VTEC motor is very powerful when you need it to be. The leather is the tight leather type. I think the dash looks great, it is comparable to the Lexus Electro- illuminescent type dashes. This car handles pretty well around the corners. Parts are a little pricey, but worth it by far. I give it a 2 thumbs up!
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Too bad you cant buy em new anymore - 2000 Honda Prelude
By Michael of C+M - August 12 - 2:00 amThe first can I ever purchased new and a good choice at that. What every "big- muffler" Civic Si wants to be when it grows up. If you have to transport kids or more than one adult, forget it, but if your life permits such a car, go for it. No major defects, but would sure like it if the dealer could find and silence the sunroof squeak and figure out why the front suspension creaks and pops on warm days like my knees on cold days. BUY A K&N FILTER!!: $20 for a regular replacement is robbery. $40 for a K&N and its the last air filter youll have to buy.
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Fun to drive - 1994 Honda Prelude
By gorillady - August 11 - 2:00 amThis is the fifth Prelude weve had in our family, and my favorite. The 4WS makes it a fun car to drive, and it has great curb appeal as well.
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Top Notch - Fun to drive - Built to last - 1997 Honda Prelude
By j4k3 - August 8 - 2:00 amThe title says it all. This is one of the most reliable vehicles ever built.
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BEST PERFORMANCE FOR YOUR BUCK - 2000 Honda Prelude
By bil - August 4 - 2:00 ammost underrated car ever made excellent handling, braking. Why did they ever discontinue this car
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Wow! - 2001 Honda Prelude
By Luding - August 1 - 2:00 amIve had several other HOndas before CRXs, Accords, but non had so much torque and horsepower as this one. VTEC kicks in...see ya!
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Great Car - 1992 Honda Prelude
By Matthew - July 31 - 2:00 amI brought my lude not too long ago and its great, i put some performance parts on it and it does haul. I agree that there should not even be a backseat, my 5 year old brother cant even fit back there. Everything is great on this car and is built to last. Only thing bad is the dashboard design but u get use to it.
