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New Honda Prelude Review Engineered for Fun

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Estimated reading time: 10 minutes


Key Takeaways:

  • The new Honda Prelude is a revolutionary hybrid sports coupe, sharing significant performance components with the Civic Type R.
  • Despite its hybrid powertrain, the Prelude offers an engaging and "spine-tingling" driving experience, thanks to advanced sound augmentation and simulated gearshifts.
  • Honda's CEO confirmed the Prelude name was chosen post-development, highlighting an organic revival rather than a planned lineage.
  • While sharing components with the Civic e:HEV RS and Type R, the Prelude carves out its unique character with specialized tuning and unique parts.
  • The potential high price tag, especially due to coupe tax rates, might be a hurdle for some enthusiasts, but its fun-to-drive nature remains undeniable.

Table of Contents


Can a Hybrid Coupe Redefine "Fun" in the Modern Automotive Landscape?

In an era increasingly dominated by electrification and evolving automotive priorities, the question looms large: can a storied nameplate like the Honda Prelude truly deliver on a promise of pure driving excitement, or is its resurrection merely a nostalgic echo? We've all had that one car, a vivid memory etched into our consciousness, often tied to a pivotal moment. For many, it's a childhood ride, a parent's beloved sedan, or the thrill of a first drive. For me, that car was the Honda Prelude, a machine that became a personal benchmark for automotive exhilaration when I first drove a third-generation model way back in 1993. I was just 11, a time when such hands-on learning was simpler, less scrutinized. That experience, with its revolutionary pop-up headlights and cutting-edge four-wheel steering, set an impossibly high bar for what a "fun" car could be.

Fast forward to today, and Honda has done the unthinkable: they've brought the Prelude back. But can this modern iteration, a hybrid no less, live up to its legendary predecessors? More importantly, can it carve out a new definition of driving enjoyment in a world grappling with efficiency and connectivity? Discover if the new Honda Prelude delivers on its promise of fun. Our in-depth review covers performance, handling, and what makes this car exciting. Read now! This article will delve into the unexpected return of a classic, exploring its groundbreaking engineering, the truth behind its name, and, most importantly, how it truly feels behind the wheel.


The Reimagined Legend: From 1993 Nostalgia to 2024 Innovation

My encounter with the 1993 third-generation Prelude was transformative. Its pop-up headlights, a styling cue sadly lost to modern pedestrian safety regulations, and the mind-bending four-wheel steering system were testaments to Honda's audacious engineering. The car was, in a word, revolutionary. It disappeared from the market in 2001, its fifth generation dividing opinions, particularly after shedding those iconic pop-ups. For nearly two decades, the Prelude remained a fond memory, a whisper in the annals of automotive history.

Then, in 2023, the whispers grew into a roar. Honda unveiled the Prelude concept at the Japan Mobility Show, instantly reigniting the hopes of enthusiasts worldwide. It was a moment of disbelief and immense excitement. The legacy of innovation, the spirit of a true driver's car, seemed poised for a comeback.


More Than Just a Name: Honda's Unexpected Revival

Despite the concept's debut, many wondered why there wasn't a larger fanfare, a grand declaration of the Prelude's return. The truth, as revealed by Toshihiro Mibe, President and CEO of Honda Motor Company, during a private media interview in Tokyo, is quite remarkable. Honda didn't set out to revive the Prelude name. Instead, they developed a compelling new car first. It was only after management liked what they saw, green-lighted the project, and experienced the car themselves that they decided to exhume the iconic "Prelude" moniker. This isn't a cynical marketing ploy; it's a testament to a car that earned its name, proving its worth from the ground up.


What's New Under the Hood? Performance Meets Practicality

Given its 14-year hiatus, expecting the new Prelude to carry over elements from its last iteration would be naive. This is an entirely fresh start. The new Prelude shares its hybrid platform, engine, electric motor, and dashboard with the Honda Civic e:HEV RS. This might raise eyebrows for purists, but Honda has been clever. While the powertrain is rooted in efficiency, the true character of the Prelude emerges from where it diverges.

Crucially, the suspension components are derived from the formidable Civic Type R. Furthermore, significant parts of the car are entirely new and unique to the Prelude, crafted to define its specific driving dynamics. It is this thoughtful blend of proven, high-performance components and bespoke engineering that allows the Prelude to derive a lithe, agile character in the corners, transcending its hybrid origins.


How Does it Drive? A First Impression of Pure Agility

My three laps around Honda's Tochigi proving ground, though brief, were enough to convey three critical aspects of the new Prelude's driving experience. First, the interior engine note is remarkably superior to what you hear from the outside. Second, the "gearshifts" are genuinely spine-tingling, a marvel considering the absence of a traditional gearbox. And third, it handles with such precision it feels as if it's running on rails.

Power comes from a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated engine, producing 200hp and 315Nm of torque. This power is sent directly to the front wheels via an electric motor, bypassing a conventional transmission. While the electric motor handles lower speeds, my track experience focused on the engine's spirited delivery, a sensation I was familiar with from extensive time in the Civic hybrid.


Mastering the Corners: Engineering the Prelude's Dynamic Character

The suspension is arguably where the Prelude truly shines and where its character is forged. The front features dual-axis struts, a direct carry-over from the Civic Type R, specifically chosen to mitigate torque steer – a vital characteristic for a high-performance front-wheel-drive car. The rear employs a multi-link setup, a common and effective design.

However, the real game-changer is the inclusion of adaptive dampers, also shared with the Type R. These dampers integrate seamlessly with the car's four drive modes—Comfort, GT, Sport, and Individual—allowing drivers to tailor the car's response from plush comfort to aggressive control. The Prelude also boasts wider track dimensions, identical to the Type R, significantly enhancing stability and cornering prowess. Even the brakes are Type R-spec Brembos, ensuring exceptional stopping power.

This extensive use of Civic Type R components underneath the skin is the secret sauce for the Prelude's remarkable agility. In long, sweeping corners, the car feels incredibly planted and confident. Under heavy braking before a tight 90-degree turn, the front bites hard, while the rear remains steadfast, never threatening to lose grip. This exceptional stability is further bolstered by 'enhanced agile handling assist,' a system that subtly brakes the inner wheels during cornering, allowing for a more precise and confident line from entry to exit. The handling is perfectly poised, aggressive yet never fidgety, positioning the Prelude as a true GT car with a sporting heart.


The Sensory Experience: Engine Notes and Simulated Shifts

Despite its hybrid nature, two elements elevate the new Prelude into the realm of a proper sports car. First, the engine note. Unlike the relatively muted Civic hybrid, the Prelude's cabin is filled with an augmented, spirited engine sound piped through the speakers. While not entirely "real," the sound is so convincing and enjoyable that it profoundly enhances the driving experience, blurring the lines between authenticity and perception.

Second are the "gearshifts." Because power is delivered directly by the electric motor, there's no physical gearbox. Yet, Honda has engineered the 'S+ Shift' system. This revolutionary technology simulates a performance transmission with astonishing realism, providing downshift blips, perfect rev-matching, and even holding "gears" through fast, flowing corners. It meticulously recreates the subtle power cuts experienced between actual shifts, delivering that satisfying jolt to the spine during acceleration. This entire sensory engineering feat is nothing short of phenomenal, imbuing the Prelude with a character that demands to be experienced firsthand.


Is There Anything Not to Like? Addressing the Elephant in the Room

From a purely driving perspective, the new Honda Prelude is a fantastic machine. The debate around whether it's a "true" Prelude or perhaps a successor to the CR-Z is an academic one. What's undeniable is that the Prelude name commands attention in a way a CR-Z successor never could. It taps into a deep well of nostalgia and automotive passion.

However, there is one potential hurdle: the price tag. Rumors suggest the Prelude could be priced higher than the RM399,000 tag of the Civic Type R, largely due to higher tax rates for coupes. A price upwards of RM400,000 might be hard for purists and potential buyers to digest. While this is a significant consideration, Honda Malaysia's ongoing teasers hint at strategic plans, and one can only hope they have a few tricks up their sleeve to make this revolutionary coupe more accessible upon its eventual launch.


Specifications: New Honda Prelude

  • Engine: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, naturally-aspirated hybrid powertrain
  • Power Output: 200hp
  • Torque: 315Nm
  • Drivetrain: Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) with electric motor direct drive
  • Front Suspension: Dual-axis struts (from Civic Type R)
  • Rear Suspension: Multi-link
  • Dampers: Adaptive (from Civic Type R)
  • Drive Modes: Comfort, GT, Sport, Individual
  • Brakes: Brembo (from Civic Type R)
  • Key Technologies: Enhanced Agile Handling Assist, Honda S+ Shift (simulated gearshifts), Augmented Engine Sound

Conclusion

The new Honda Prelude is more than just a car; it's a statement. It defies expectations, blending hybrid efficiency with exhilarating, Type R-derived performance components. Honda has not only successfully resurrected a legendary nameplate but has also infused it with a revolutionary spirit, proving that "fun" behind the wheel can evolve. From its surprising genesis to its meticulously engineered driving dynamics and immersive sensory experience, the Prelude genuinely delivers. While its potential price may give pause, its core appeal as an engineered-for-fun sports coupe is undeniable.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is the new Honda Prelude a pure sports car, or more of a grand tourer (GT)?
A1: The new Prelude is ultimately designed to be a sophisticated GT, offering comfort alongside its sporty capabilities. However, with significant performance components borrowed from the Civic Type R and an incredibly engaging driving experience, it blurs the lines, delivering a feel that's very much akin to a proper sports car.


Q2: How does the Prelude achieve its engaging "gearshifts" without a traditional gearbox?
A2: Honda's innovative 'S+ Shift' system is responsible. This technology simulates performance transmission behavior, including downshift blips, rev-matching, and even power cuts between "shifts," providing a tactile and auditory experience that mimics a conventional manual or automatic gearbox, even though power is directly sent via an electric motor.


Q3: What makes the new Prelude "revolutionary" compared to its predecessors?
A3: The new Prelude is revolutionary for several reasons. It brings back a revered nameplate with a hybrid powertrain, proving performance can coexist with efficiency. Its engineering blends components from a performance hybrid (Civic e:HEV RS) with a track-focused beast (Civic Type R), creating a unique dynamic character. Furthermore, its advanced sensory augmentation for engine sound and gearshifts redefines driver engagement in a modern context.


Q4: Why was the Prelude name chosen for this new model?
A4: Interestingly, Honda's President and CEO, Toshihiro Mibe, stated that the car was developed first, and the name was decided later. Management liked the car so much after driving it that they felt the legendary "Prelude" name was fitting, suggesting an organic, performance-driven choice rather than a pre-planned revival.


Q5: What are the main advantages of the Prelude sharing components with the Civic Type R?
A5: Sharing components like dual-axis struts, adaptive dampers, wider track dimensions, and Brembo brakes from the Civic Type R imbues the Prelude with exceptional handling, stability, and braking performance. These proven, high-performance parts significantly contribute to its agile character in corners and its overall driver engagement, allowing it to feel planted and confident even at speed.

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