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:

Showing 31 through 40 of 428.00

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  99 Prelude - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By P TITTY - July 19 - 4:06 am

  The prelude by Honda is a legend and I hope Honda decides to start production again soon. The 99 models saw a 5 HP increase to make it 200 HP(Base model seems fasteR than the SH MODEL), which is more than the type r integra stock. Exterior styling still turnsheads todaY and the interior is not bad. Under the hood we see one of the biggest stock honda 4 cylinder motors at 2.2 liters and the added bonus of VTECH MAKES THIS BABY SCREAM AFTER 5500 RPM. The one thing I have not like about hondas as I have previously owned a 00 civic si and 95 GSR integra is the clutches in the cars stock are not very heavy duty especially during racing. Overall the lude is the best sporty honda out there

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  02 Accord EX-V6 to 01 Prelude base 5spd - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Hwani - February 23 - 3:51 pm

  97-01 Prelude (5th generation of prelude) is a great car overall. It is stylish, yet sporty, and its got some punch to back it up. 200hp/155tq, its a great H22A4 engine. However, vehicle is too heavy for its kind (3000pds). Handling is still one of the best out there, ATTS is great too, but known problems need to be carefully reviewed. Interior is too out-dated, however, it is simple and easy to use as sports car supposed to be. Rear seat/Trunk space is useless, but hey, its not a family grocery getter sedan. If you are in the market right now for a reasonbly priced, reliable, stylish and powerful sports compact that will seperate you from others, this is the car for you.

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  Its getting better - 1992 Honda Prelude
  By Caligrl369 - December 18 - 11:26 am

  Performance is great for a 4 banger, it seems I cant get the "just right" setting for the driver seat, has no in between. Gas mileage is pretty good if you dont use the gas hard all the time. It is a BLAST to drive the cornering and handling is soooo comfortable, what a rush. Interior design takes time to get use to. Exterior looks great the back seems really high for the front. Now reliablilty, let me say Im disappointed, had heater core, radiator, thermostat, and several hoses blow in 3 back to back days, check engine light stays on no matter what. electrical issue galore. Just she has a mind of her own, that is for sure.

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  Farewell to an old friend - 2001 Honda Prelude
  By Bob - December 14 - 2:59 pm

  I bought my 2001 Prelude to replace the 1985 Prelude Id owned for 14 years. Obviously Im a big fan of Preludes and was disappointed that they have now been discontinued. This version of the Prelude is a bit larger and has much more power. Other than that, it is surprisingly similar to the old one. But after all, why mess with success. Its an incredibly fun car to drive and handles extremely well. I never had any mechanical problems with my first Prelude, and after 3 1/2 years have had none with this one either. About the only downsides to the 2001 Prelude are in the area of fuel economy both the fact that it runs on premium gas, and that mileage per gallon was only average.

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  A Good Car, But Very Overpriced - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By Dw2 - November 13 - 10:53 pm

  I wrote a review on this car over 2 years ago since that time I have put 55k on it, and, granted I drive it very hard, the car is showing its age. Honestly, this car is good, but Euro cars (BMW) can walk circles around it in terms of comfort and performance, and, sadly for the Prelude, cost about the same. The adage of Hondas being cheaper to repair than other brands is a myth, in the last year I have put in an A/C Compressor ($1050), and a clutch ($1000) parts are obscenely expensive, and the car is nearly impossible to work on. This car is a fun, and it handles awesome, but is too expensive and uncomfortable, especially with a 3-series available for the same money.

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  AWESOME RIDE! - 1998 Honda Prelude
  By Dont Speed, Fly Low - September 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car for fun, sporty all- time transportation. It drives just as good at 98,000 miles as it did at 150. Its a perfect fit and cups your body on the smooth, lickedy-split fast turns. Rides just as comfortably at 60 mph as 130 mph and I love my manual transmission with the added bonus of the vtech growl.

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  Porsche Quality Honda Price - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By Gulfstream - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The Prelude is a brilliant all around sports car. Its fun to drive (especially when the VTEC engine kicks in), and can get you from 0-60 quite quickly. It offers most of the technology that you find on Porsche Boxers without the Porsche price and the mechanical quirks that Porsche has. You will give up head room (fine for me at 5 7" not so great for someone over 6) and its not a "family car." Everything is "race-tuned" so dont expect a "down comforter" type ride. The "fun" factor will make up for this.

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  Still running - 1991 Honda Prelude
  By honda4ever - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Out of all the vehicles I have owned...Ford, Chevy, Lincoln, and Toyota, this car has outlasted all of them. All with only a minor Timing belt and AC problem. This Honda is still running strong and gets me to work every day 32 mi one way. I have over 145K miles and will love to see it double that without much maintance. The only thing you have to do to this car is change the oil. Shoot if you forget it will run on air!

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  Renaissance Coupe - 1999 Honda Prelude
  By ItsaMeMario - March 15 - 2:00 am

  As my faithful coupe approaches 60,000 miles, I began to reflect on the time weve spent together (cue the sentimental music...) Glancing at the Prelude, I concluded that Honda engineers set out to design a sporty coupe that could handle the rigorous demands a driving enthusiast would muster during ownership. Hmm, so what are the daily observances that quench my thirst for excitment? A comparatively torquey inline-4 from Honda which comes alive above the infamous camshaft change point. Amazing Handling - easily the Preludes strongpoint, ATTS gimmickry is actually a reality. I personally vouch for its predictability over overall comfort.

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  Fun and Reliable - 1994 Honda Prelude
  By Toregon - January 25 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car, fun to drive for a two door car. Very reliable