Honda · 1978–present

Honda Prelude

The Honda Prelude (Japanese: ホンダ・プレリュード, Hepburn: Honda Pureryūdo) is a sport compact car produced by the Japanese company Honda. It was produced over five generations from 1978 to 2001, and reintroduced in 2025. For the first five generations, as a two-door coupe loosely derived from the Accord, the Prelude was the first Honda to feature a moonroof, a feature that remained standard equipment throughout its production. The Prelude was used by Honda to introduce the Japanese Honda retail sales chain Honda Verno, with the international release of the model following shortly after. The Prelude's manufacture concluded in 2001 on introduction of the fourth-generation Integra. The Prelude name was originally trademarked by Toyota, but was amicably given to Honda for use. The Prelude's nameplate aligned with a series of music-themed nameplates in use by Honda, including the Accord, Quintet, Concerto, Jazz, and Ballade.

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First generation (SN; 1978)

On 24 November 1978, the Prelude was launched to the Japanese market. It had its world premiere at the 1979 AutoRAI in Amsterdam, two months later. In Japan it was only available at the newly established dealership sales channel Honda Verno. This dealership chain also introduced the Honda Quint, the Honda Ballade, and the Accord-based Honda Vigor as its largest sedan and hatchback. The four-wheel independent struts, brakes, and engine were all borrowed from the first-generation Accord, but the chassis was all new and developed by chief engineer Hiroshi Kizawa expressly for the sporting Prelude. At 4,090 mm (length) x 1,635 mm (width) x 1,290 mm (height), it had quite a low and wide profile. The wheelbase was 2,320 mm, and was 60 mm shorter than that of the original Accord. Honda appears to have followed the successful introduction of the Toyota Celica example by taking a small car, like the Accord, installing a more powerful engine, and giving the body a short trunk, and a long engine hood. The Prelude (and period Accord) were the first cars under two liters to receive standard power steering. The Prelude also benefited from Honda's experience with sporting cars like the Honda S800 and Coupé 1300. The Prelude was the first Honda model to offer a power moonroof as standard equipment, which eventually became a Prelude trademark. In Japan, the Prelude was available with a sliding metal sunroof, while US versions received a glass top which freed up more headroom. Japanese buyers were liable for slightly more annual road taxes over the smaller Civic, which also had a smaller engine. While marketed as a 2+2, the rear seat was not usable for anyone larger than a small child. Initial reviews for the Prelude were favorable. "It is," wrote Brock Yates for Motor Trend, "by any sa

Second generation (AB/BA1/2/3/6/BB; 1982)

The second-generation Prelude was released in Japan on 25 November 1982 and worldwide in the spring of 1983. Riding on an all-new platform, the Prelude was initially available with an A18A or ET-2, 1.8 L 12-valve twin carburetor engine, producing 105 PS DIN (77 kW). In Japan, Asia and Europe, it later became available with a 2-liter DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine (JDM = BA1, EU = BA2) although this engine was not released in Europe until 1986. The JDM B20A produced 160 PS JIS (118 kW) at 6300 rpm, while the European B20A1 produced only 137 hp (102 kW). This was the first generation of Prelude to have pop-up headlights, which allowed for a more aerodynamic front clip, reducing drag. Opening the headlights, however, especially at higher speeds, produced significantly more drag. The design retained nothing of the first generation, being considerably more aerodynamic and with large glass surfaces. As with the predecessor, it was amply equipped, with an air of "mini-gran turismo" rather than that of a sports car. It also offered, as an option, Honda's new "A.L.B." anti-lock brakes. In Japan, the Prelude was one of the key models sold at Japanese Honda dealership sales channels, called Honda Verno, which offered performance-oriented products. All Honda Verno products, like the Vigor, initially shared the concealed headlights introduced with this generation Prelude that would help identify "sports" products from Honda in Japan. The approach was short-lived, however. The model with the 2.0 liter engine was regarded as the top level car in Japan because Japanese buyers were liable for a higher annual road tax over the car with the 1.8 liter engine. The Japanese 1.8 had CVCC and claimed 125 PS JIS (92 kW), considerably more than export models. When the 2-liter 16-valve DOHC engine

Third generation (BA3/4/5/7; 1987)

On 9 April 1987, the third-generation Prelude was released in the Japanese domestic market and released later that year worldwide, being a 1988 model in North America. Featuring evolutionary styling from its predecessor, it shared design cues from the Honda NSX that would be introduced later in 1990. The Prelude featured innovative features for its time such as a 0.34 drag coefficient, roof pillars made of high-strength metal and its signature feature, the available option of the world's first mechanical four-wheel steering system available in a mass-production passenger car, which was later shared with the Honda Ascot 2.0FBT-i sedan. The mechanical four-wheel steering setup used two steering boxes, linked together with a dedicated steering shaft. Despite its complexity, it provided the driver additional benefits. At highway speeds lane changes required minimal steering input, and served as a safety feature providing more responsive and quicker maneuverability in adverse conditions. It also aided in low speed driving conditions such as parallel parking. The front and rear wheels would turn in opposite directions once the steering wheel had been turned 140 degrees. A 'Road & Track' magazine comparison between the Prelude and a C4-series Chevrolet Corvette favored the Prelude in a slalom speed test. Honda had expected 30% of buyers to opt for four-wheel-steering, but the feature was a runaway success in the home market, and 80% of buyers opted for it in the first year. The third-generation Prelude was exclusively powered by variants of the Honda B20A engine, a base carbureted version with a SOHC 12-valve valvetrain, or a DOHC variant with Honda's PGM-FI fuel injection and 16 valves. The engine was tilted backwards by 18 degrees, which made it possible to make the hood 30

Fourth generation (BA8/9/BB1/2/3/4; 1991)

On 19 September 1991, the fourth-generation Prelude was introduced in Japan, and in Europe from early 1992. The car had a 58% front and 42% rear weight distribution. The four-wheel steering system was changed to an electronic version and the 4-cylinder engine was increased in displacement from 2.1 liters to 2.2 liters for the base model "S" (SOHC F22A1 engine, 135 PS (99 kW; 133 hp) at 5,200 rpm, 203 N⋅m (150 ft⋅lbf) at 4,000 rpm) and "VTEC" model (DOHC VTEC H22A1, 190 PS (140 kW; 187 hp) at 6,800 rpm, 207 N⋅m (153 ft⋅lbf) at 5,500 rpm), with a 2.3-liter for the "Si" (DOHC H23A1, 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) at 5,800 rpm, 212 N⋅m (156 ft⋅lbf) at 5,300 rpm). The Japanese Si came with the F22B (2.2 L DOHC non-VTEC, 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp)). The VTEC model had an upgraded brake system, going from a 10.3-inch (262 mm) front rotor to an 11.1-inch (282 mm) front rotor and utilizing larger brake caliper and pads, similar to those found in the Honda Vigor. Its styling approach is similar to the Honda Ascot Innova during the same time period. Additionally, a 2.0i, single overhead cam (SOHC) model was released in Europe, rated at 133 PS (98 kW; 131 hp). 1993 was the last year that the "Si-VTEC" (BB4) name was used, and beginning in 1994 it was shortened to just "VTEC" and stayed that way throughout the rest of the generation. In some countries, the Prelude with 2.2 DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder engine was called the VTi-R. Later, the '96 prelude Si/SR was introduced with a 2.3 DOHC 4-cylinder engine. In Canada, the Si was called the SR, and the VTEC was called the SR-V. Due to the width dimensions and the engine displacement exceeding Japanese government regulations for vehicles classified as "compact", this generation Prelude obligated Japanese owners to yearly taxes. This model also marked t

Fifth generation (BB5/6/7/8/9; 1996)

Introduced on 7 November 1996, the fifth-generation Prelude retained an FWD layout with an independent front suspension. The fifth-generation Prelude marked a return to the more square bodystyle of the third generation (1987–1991), in an attempt to curb slumping sales of the fourth-generation bodystyle. The two-door notchback style is retained but the design is less aggressive and more angular than the previous generation. The redesigned sports coupe is slightly larger than its predecessor at 1.4 inches (36 mm) longer in wheelbase and 3.2 inches (81 mm) overall. Base curb weight increased by 145 pounds (66 kg) and interior dimensions are nearly identical, but trunk space expanded by nearly 1 cubic foot. The ATTS model received Honda's Active Torque Transfer System; badged as the Type S in Japan, VTi-S in Europe, and Type SH ("Super Handling") in North America. ATTS automatically distributes more of the engine's power to the outside front wheel when accelerating in a turn. This forces the outside front wheel to rotate up to 15 percent faster than the inside wheel directing up to 80 percent of the torque to a single wheel. ATTS was designed to counteract the understeer inherent in a front-wheel drive car, but, according to reviewers, the Prelude's 63.1 percent front weight distribution was too much for the system to successfully mask. The Prelude was available in three models for Canada and two models for the US (the Base and Type SH). All North American models came with a 195 hp (145 kW) (later increased to 200 hp) 2.2-liter DOHC VTEC 4-cylinder engine and 16-inch alloy wheels. The optional automatic transmission has a new manual-shift feature called Sequential SportShift. The gear lever can be left in Drive, which allows automatic shifting or it can be tipped forward or

Sixth generation (BF1; 2025)

The Prelude nameplate has been revived for a hybrid electric concept car, showcased at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, and subsequently shown in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Another example finished in red made its debut in July 2024 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the Prelude was also confirmed for a European release. The revival of the Prelude nameplate is part of Honda's recent revival of old nameplates, such as Passport and Integra. The BF1 Prelude serves as a replacement for the discontinued Civic and Accord coupes and was released in 2025. The model features a new drive mode, Honda S+ Shift, which allows the driver to use the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters to shift between 8 different simulated gear ratios. When S+ Shift is not engaged, the paddle shifters are used to control the level of regenerative braking. This is the first Prelude with liftback body shape, as the older generation models were 2-door coupe with notchback sedan-like trunk. Markets. ==== Americas ==== The sixth-generation Prelude was released in North America in November 2025. For the North American market, it is available in a single unnamed trim and no optional features available except for the exterior colours, interior upholstery and alloy wheel designs. The sixth-generation Prelude was launched in Mexico on 17 March 2026, in a single unnamed trim. Japan. Japanese models went on sale on 5 September 2025. On 5 November 2025, the car received the 2025-2026 Japan Automotive Hall of Fame Car Design of the Year award. At the 2026 Tokyo Auto Salon, Honda announced a special edition sixth-generation Prelude, called Mugen Prelude Spec III, with only 16 units planned to be built. They are fitted with 19-inch Mugen FR10 alloy wheels, Mugen brake pads, Mugen floor mats and

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Honda Prelude

Manufacturer

Honda

Production

November 1978 – October 2001, August 2025 – present

Class

Sport compact car

Layout

Front-engine, front-wheel-drive

Body style

2-door notchback coupe (1978–2001), 3-door liftback coupe (2025–present)

Assembly

Japan: Sayama, Saitama (1978–2001); Yorii, Saitama (2025–present)

Predecessor

Honda 145 coupé

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q830370CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_PreludeCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1377791298 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Honda_Prelude_(2025-)_in_red_at_Japan_Mobility_Show_Kansai_2025.jpgCC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Aos.1905 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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