Driving 5 Generations of Honda Prelude - Before the New One is Released!

Driving 5 Generations of Honda Prelude - Before the New One is Released! originally appeared on Autoblog.

A family reunion

I was recently invited to a special driving event where Honda gathered all five generations of their Prelude coupe from its heritage collection to build excitement for the upcoming 6th- 6th-generation Honda Prelude and celebrate the model's long-lasting legacy. It was a true honor, and briefly driving most of these cars felt like a trip down memory lane.

The Honda Prelude always floated in its own river of reality. It was never a full-fledged sports car, yet it was far from a mundane commuter. Instead, it was Honda’s interpretation of a GT car for the logic-driven enthusiast—practical yet engaging. Across every generation, it stuck to a consistent formula: a four-cylinder engine, manual transmission options, and front-wheel drive.

Honda Prelude Concept and First Gen PreludeHonda

What made the Prelude special was how Honda layered innovation onto that simple formula. From the clean, lightweight first generation to the high-tech marvel of four-wheel steering and VTEC power, the Prelude evolved into one of Honda’s most technologically advanced yet approachable cars. Always fun to drive, it appealed as much to the sensible, engineering-minded crowd as it did to spirited drivers. Let’s take a closer look at each generation featured at the event.

1st Generation (1978–1982)

1979 Honda PreludeND Adlen

Remember how I said I drove most of the Preludes? Unfortunately, this one stayed parked. A faulty fuel pump—or some other fuel delivery issue—kept it off the road. Remember, these are museum pieces, and time takes its toll. Luckily, I’ve driven a few first-gen Preludes before, including a friend’s well-preserved 1980 model in Seattle (dark blue with a red interior—still driven daily). I believe the Heritage Museum car was a ’79.

The first-gen Prelude shared many components with the Accord but had a sportier two-door coupe shape with long-hood/short-deck proportions like a shrunken Mustang. At just 91.3 inches of wheelbase (shorter than a modern Fiat 500e!), it was tiny inside, with a laughable back seat. Taller drivers could fit, but just barely.

Under the hood sat a 1.8-liter SOHC four-cylinder making 72 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque. On paper, not much, but the car barely tipped the scales at a little over a ton. That made it light, nimble, and genuinely fun to toss around. Plus, it was one of the first affordable Japanese cars to come standard with a power sunroof.

2nd Generation (1983–1987)

1986 Honda PreludeND Adlen

The second generation grew larger and more aerodynamic, adding one of the era’s coolest touches—pop-up headlights. Two engines were offered: a 100-hp 1.8-liter and, for the Si model, a 110-hp 2.0-liter with PGM-FI fuel injection, a tech pulled straight from Honda’s Formula One experience. Torque was also nudged up to 114 lb-ft. More importantly, this was the debut of the now-iconic “Si” badge, a sign of sporty intent for decades to come.

The second-gen Prelude was a big leap in refinement. Its 4-wheel double-wishbone suspension was tuned for a perfect blend of sportiness and daily comfort. It was quieter, more sophisticated, and the interior felt far more premium than the first generation. The steering feel was excellent, and if you kept it in the revs, it was an absolute blast to drive.

3rd Generation (1988–1991)

1990 Honda PreludeND Adlen

Full transparency: this is my second favorite Prelude, with or without four-wheel steering. The third generation was sleeker, more aerodynamic, and more advanced. It introduced the world’s first production four-wheel steering (4WS) system, a fully mechanical setup that sharpened the already great handling. Optional ABS further added to its high-tech appeal.

The event car was a base model with the 109-hp 2.0-liter (no Si, no 4WS). Still fun—but I’ve driven a ’91 Si 4WS before, and even today its 140 hp and supernatural agility feel impressive in such a lightweight car. With or without 4WS, this generation felt like a genuine engineering showcase.

4th Generation (1992–1996)

1995 Honda PreludeND Adlen

Honda took a bold new design approach for the fourth-gen Prelude. It was bigger, wider, and ditched the pop-ups for a more upscale look. Inside, it felt like a tech-filled cockpit of the future, further cementing the Prelude as a premium GT coupe rather than just a sporty compact.

Base models came with a 135-hp 2.2-liter SOHC, but the one everyone lusted after was the 190-hp DOHC VTEC version with 158 lb-ft of torque. It loved to rev beyond 5,500 rpm, where it really came alive. It wasn’t as featherlight as older models, and the steering was a bit overboosted, but the grip was superb, and the Si was a cornering monster while still being a perfectly livable commuter.

5th Generation (1997–2001)

2001 Honda PreludeND Adlen

Here’s my personal favorite. Sadly, U.S. models didn’t get the 4WS available in other markets, but they did gain ATTS (Active Torque Transfer System), which pushed torque to the wheel with the most grip during aggressive cornering.

Under the hood was the H22A4 DOHC VTEC 2.2-liter, good for 200 hp and 156 lb-ft, screaming happily to a 7,400-rpm redline. It was the most composed, refined Prelude ever—a true GT car with modern dynamics. The cabin would still hold up today, with excellent ergonomics and quality. The styling was clean yet aggressive, and even now it stands out in a crowd.

2026 Honda PreludeAdam Lynton/Autoblog

Final thoughts

The 6th-generation Honda Prelude is about to debut. It will be a hybrid-electric two-door coupe, combining Honda’s e:HEV hybrid tech with an S+ Shift mode aimed at blending performance with efficiency. Pricing is expected to land somewhere in the low-to-high $30,000 range.

I’m thrilled Honda is bringing the Prelude name back. My hope is that it stays true to its heritage: a high-tech, fun-to-drive, visually appealing GT coupe that remains affordable and approachable, just like the five generations that paved the way. I can't wait to drive it!

Driving 5 Generations of Honda Prelude - Before the New One is Released! first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 17, 2025

This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.