Honda's two-door coupe, built over five generations with a standard moonroof, optional four-wheel steering on the third generation and a return in 2025.
The Honda Prelude was a two-door sport coupe built over five generations from 1978 to 2001, and it was revived as a sixth generation in 2025. It was the first Honda to offer a standard power moonroof, and its third generation introduced optional mechanical four-wheel steering.
The Prelude began as a sport compact coupe loosely derived from the Accord, and it carried a standard moonroof through all five of its original generations. The nameplate was first trademarked by Toyota before being passed to Honda, and it returned in 2025 after a long absence.
Across its run the Prelude was a showcase for Honda engineering. Its variable valve systems, its engine tilt and its four-wheel steering each marked a moment when the company tried something its rivals had not yet matched.
Where did the Prelude come from?
The first Prelude went on sale in Japan on 24 November 1978, sold only through Honda Verno, the new dealership channel. Verno also sold the Quint, the Ballade and the Accord-based Vigor as its larger sedan and hatchback.
Its world premiere followed at the 1979 AutoRAI in Amsterdam. The chassis was new and was developed by chief engineer Hiroshi Kizawa for the sporting car, while the struts, brakes and engine were borrowed from the first-generation Accord.
The name came with its own history. Toyota originally held the trademark, but the company amicably gave it to Honda. The name also matched a family of music-themed nameplates that included the Accord, Quintet, Concerto, Jazz and Ballade.
A two-door coupe that kept its standard moonroof for five generations and returned in 2025 with a liftback.
How big was the first-generation Prelude?
The first generation measured 4,090 mm long, 1,635 mm wide and 1,290 mm high. Its 2,320 mm wheelbase was 60 mm shorter than the Accord's, which gave the car a low and wide profile with a short trunk and a long bonnet.
Power steering was standard, and the Prelude was among the first cars under two litres to receive it as a standard item. The Accord-derived running gear helped keep the car's weight and handling in a familiar range for Honda buyers.
The Prelude was the first Honda to offer a power moonroof as standard equipment, a feature that became a Prelude trademark. Japanese cars had a sliding metal sunroof, while US versions used a glass top that freed up more headroom.
Honda marketed the car as a 2+2, but the rear seat was only usable by small children. That limitation was accepted as part of the coupe's sporting character rather than a practical family car.
What engines did the first-generation Prelude have?
The launch engine was the 1,602 cc SOHC eight-valve EL inline-four, rated at 80 PS (59 kW) at 5,000 rpm. In September 1978 Japan received the larger 1,751 cc CVCC EK engine, which produced 90 PS (66 kW) at 5,300 rpm.
US cars arrived in March 1979 with a 1.8-litre engine rated at 72 hp (54 kW) at 4,500 rpm. Transmissions were a five-speed manual or the Hondamatic, a two-speed semi-automatic that was replaced by a three-speed automatic by October 1979.
The 1980 CVCC-II engine added a catalytic converter and several refinements to driveability. A 1981 facelift returned the dashboard to a more traditional layout, dropping the much-criticised instrument design of the earlier cars.
How did the second generation change the Prelude?
The second generation arrived in Japan on 25 November 1982 and reached world markets in spring 1983. It rode on an all-new platform and used a 1.8-litre twin-carburettor engine, the A18A, producing 105 PS DIN (77 kW).
A 2.0-litre DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine followed. In Japan it produced 160 PS JIS (118 kW) at 6,300 rpm, while the European version of the B20A was rated 137 hp (102 kW). The larger engine could not fit under the original bonnet, so the bonnet was modified.
This generation introduced pop-up headlights, which allowed a more aerodynamic front clip. Opening them at speed added a noticeable amount of drag, but the design was considerably more aerodynamic than the first car and carried large glass areas.
The car weighed 1,025 kg (2,260 lb), and with the 16-valve engine it was relatively nimble against its competitors. Anti-lock brakes, branded A.L.B., were available as an option, and the car sold well in Britain at a time when many makers were leaving the sports car market.
Why was the third-generation Prelude significant?
The third generation was released in Japan on 9 April 1987 and reached other markets later that year. It had a 0.34 drag coefficient, a roof structure of high-strength metal and the option of mechanical four-wheel steering, which became its signature feature.
Honda expected 30% of buyers to choose four-wheel steering, but 80% did in the first year. The system used two steering boxes linked by a dedicated shaft, and the front and rear wheels turned in opposite directions once the steering wheel had turned 140 degrees.
At highway speeds the system needed minimal steering input for lane changes, and at low speed it helped with manoeuvres such as parallel parking. The engine was tilted back 18 degrees, which allowed the bonnet to sit 30 mm (1.2 in) lower than on the previous generation.
The third generation earned recognition as well. It finished third in the 1988 European Car of the Year contest, behind the Peugeot 405, and Wheels magazine named the Prelude its Car of the Year for 1987.
How did the Prelude perform against its rivals?
In a 1987 Road & Track test summary, the 1988 Prelude 2.0Si 4WS reached 65.5 mph (105.4 km/h) on the slalom. That beat the 1988 Chevrolet Corvette C4, which took the same course at 64.9 mph (104.4 km/h), and it outpaced many exotic cars of the period.
The first generation had earlier drawn praise from Motor Trend, which timed an early example at 18.8 seconds for the quarter mile at 70 mph. The reviewer described the car as a splendid automobile, a verdict that reflected the Prelude's strong engineering.
Car and Driver put the Prelude on its Ten Best list ten times. Three of those entries came from 1984 to 1986, and seven came from 1992 to 1998, although the biggest complaint for much of the model's life was the lack of a V6 option.
How many Preludes were sold?
Honda built 313,000 first-generation Preludes from 1978 to 1982, and over 80% of them were sold outside Japan. Japanese buyers took 41,190 Preludes during the first-generation run.
The Prelude was introduced in Europe during 1979, but it was not a strong seller. Its high asking price was a major obstacle, so the car found a larger audience elsewhere.
Sales weakened from the third generation onward. Honda's other products competed for the same buyers, and the S2000 offered rear-wheel drive, a six-speed transmission and 40 extra horsepower at a higher price.
What did the fourth generation bring?
The fourth generation was introduced in Japan on 19 September 1991 and reached Europe from early 1992. Its weight distribution was 58% front and 42% rear, and the four-wheel steering system was changed to an electronic version.
The base model used a 2.2-litre SOHC F22A1 rated 135 PS (99 kW; 133 hp) at 5,200 rpm. The VTEC model used a DOHC H22A1 rated 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) at 6,800 rpm, and the Si used a 2.3-litre H23A1 rated 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp).
The VTEC version received larger brakes, with the front rotor growing from 10.3-inch (262 mm) to 11.1-inch (282 mm). The pop-up headlights were dropped, and the front fascia became wider with fixed lights.
The Prelude also took a motorsport role in this generation, serving as the Formula One safety car at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix.
What did the fifth generation bring?
The fifth generation arrived on 7 November 1996 with a more square body, a return to front-wheel drive with independent front suspension and a wheelbase 36 mm (1.4 in) longer than before. Its overall length was 81 mm (3.2 in) greater than the fourth generation.
The ATTS system, known as Type S in Japan, VTi-S in Europe and Type SH in North America, sent more power to the outside front wheel in a corner. The outside wheel could turn up to 15 percent faster than the inside one, and the system could direct up to 80 percent of the torque to a single wheel.
Reviewers felt the 63.1 percent front weight distribution was too much for ATTS to mask fully. The system was designed to counter the understeer that is typical of front-wheel drive cars, but the weight balance limited its effect.
Japan also received a more powerful Type S with a 2.2-litre H22A VTEC engine, which is covered in the frequently asked questions below.
Which special Prelude models were built?
Honda released the SiStates and SiTCV in Japan in 1989, both as limited editions. The SiStates catalogues indicate 3,000 built, and the models carried standard four-wheel steering, ALB and a viscous limited-slip differential.
The SiStates used a 2.1-litre B21A engine rated 150 PS (110 kW). It was the same width as the North American Prelude, which gave it its name, and its engine size put it over the 2.0-litre limit that applied in Japan for insurance reasons.
The Motegi edition of the fifth generation took its name from the Twin Ring Motegi circuit, which Honda built in 1997 to bring the IndyCar series to Japan. The Motegi featured 17-inch Honda alloy wheels and a lowered sports suspension.
Canada received an SE trim in 2001 that replaced the Type SH. It was fully optioned with perforated leather seats and Type SH Enkei rims, although it did not have the ATTS system.
How did the Prelude return in 2025?
The Prelude nameplate was revived for a hybrid electric concept car shown at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. It later appeared in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show, and a red example made its debut at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The BF1 Prelude served as a replacement for the discontinued Civic and Accord coupes. It is the first Prelude with a liftback body, and its Honda S+ Shift mode lets the driver use paddle shifters to move between eight simulated gear ratios.
Japanese models went on sale on 5 September 2025, and the car reached North America in November 2025. Mexico followed on 17 March 2026, and the car was also launched in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia during the first half of 2026.
At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda revealed a Mugen Prelude Spec III with only 16 units planned, fitted with 19-inch Mugen alloy wheels and a Recaro interior.
Did the sixth-generation Prelude race?
The HRC Prelude-GT competes in the GT500 class of Super GT from 2026. It is built on the silhouette of the sixth-generation Prelude, and it replaced the Civic Type R-GT after two seasons of underperformance.
The Prelude's motorsport record is therefore a mix of pace cars, safety cars and a modern racing entry. The move into Super GT shows that the nameplate still has a competitive role.
What are the Honda Prelude specifications?
The table gathers the core figures across the Prelude's five generations and the sixth-generation revival. Imperial figures appear in brackets alongside metric ones wherever the original data gives both, and every entry matches the figures set out earlier.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Generations | five, 1978 to 2001, plus the 2025 BF1 |
| First generation length | 4,090 mm, width 1,635 mm, height 1,290 mm |
| Launch engine | 1,602 cc SOHC, 80 PS (59 kW) |
| Second generation Japan engine | 160 PS JIS (118 kW) at 6,300 rpm |
| Third generation drag coefficient | 0.34 |
| Fourth generation VTEC | 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) at 6,800 rpm |
| Fifth generation VTEC | 195 hp (145 kW), later 200 hp |
| Fifth generation Type S | 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) at 7,200 rpm |
| Fifth generation weight | VTi-R manual 1,268 kg (2,795 lb) |
| First generation output | 313,000 units, 1978 to 1982 |
| SiStates build | 3,000 units |
The table shows a car that grew heavier and more powerful over time, with the fifth generation's Type S representing the peak of the range in Japan.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Prelude sold in Europe?
Yes. The car went on sale in Europe in 1979, but it was not a strong seller there. Its high asking price was the main obstacle, and sales were stronger in other markets.
How powerful was the Japanese Type S?
The Type S used a 2.2-litre H22A engine with VTEC, rated 220 PS (162 kW; 217 hp) at 7,200 rpm. It also had Active Control ABS and interior materials that imitated leather and suede.
Were there Prelude convertibles?
Several German and US companies converted Preludes. Solaire, a company in Santa Ana, California, converted about 250 first-generation cars between 1980 and 1982, and dealers sold them at prices from $14,000 to $15,000.
Did four-wheel steering continue after the third generation?
Yes, in an electronic form. The fourth generation replaced the earlier mechanical arrangement with an electronic version, which kept the car's rear wheels turning in the same spirit as before.
