It’s a sentiment many enthusiasts share – the sting of losing a beloved car. Mine was a Prelude, taken too soon by a distracted driver. So, when Honda teased a new coupe concept, reviving the Prelude name, it resonated deeply. I’m genuinely excited Honda is bringing back the Prelude for a 6th generation, staying true to its roots as a tech-focused 2+2 two-door coupe, not succumbing to the crossover craze.
However, a part of me always envisioned the next evolution of the Prelude as a rear-wheel drive (RWD) or at least rear-biased all-wheel drive (AWD) machine, maintaining its nimble size. Initial reports suggest the 6th gen will be around the size of the Toyota GR86, which is promising for keeping the weight down.
Driving the 5th generation Honda Prelude, the chassis and suspension were so well-tuned, it felt like a prelude to a more powerful, RWD or AWD version. It was a fantastic car, but its front-wheel drive (FWD) configuration always felt like a limiting factor. Perhaps not everyone agrees, but for me, it hinted at unrealized potential.
Regarding the debate of whether the Prelude was a Grand Tourer, I lean towards disagreeing. It aspired to that level of sophistication, but it wasn’t quite there. It occupied a unique space, not a pure sports car like some, and not a full-fledged GT in the vein of a first-generation Lexus SC, second-generation Acura Legend Coupe, Infiniti G35/37, BMW 3-Series coupe, or the grand Mercedes GT coupes.
The 5th gen Prelude firmly planted itself in the sports coupe category. Sadly, this segment has largely vanished from today’s new car market. Back in 1997, when the last redesign debuted, the Prelude competed against the Ford Probe, Hyundai Tiburon, Nissan 240SX, Toyota Celica, Dodge Avenger, and others. Truthfully, only a couple of those competitors truly measured up to the 5th generation Honda Prelude’s overall package.
It’s interesting to consider the US market versions of the Nissan 240SX and Toyota Celica at the time. In their stock forms, they lacked crucial performance-oriented driveline components that, if offered stateside, could have potentially overshadowed the Prelude in outright performance. However, these omissions arguably allowed the Honda Prelude to stand out as the superior sports coupe of that era. Its design and engineering have undeniably aged gracefully on their own merits.
I recall test driving a very low-mileage, nearly new 1998 Nissan 240SX 5-speed back then. I enjoyed the car’s feel, but the anemic 155hp engine was a major letdown. It was clear it needed at least 50 more horsepower. I knew then that the Japanese market version boasted a 200hp turbo engine, which was exactly what the car needed. Of course, engine swaps became common as these cars entered the used market, but for the price of a new or nearly new car, it simply wasn’t enough.
The experience of test driving the 5th gen Honda Prelude was a night and day difference. Right off the showroom floor, it was engineered to genuinely compete within its class. Again, this was in the late 90s/early 2000s, comparing brand new stock cars to others in the same category. The 5th gen Prelude, while perhaps needing a touch more power to be absolutely perfect, undeniably made you feel that its exceptional chassis and suspension were yearning for a RWD or AWD evolution. Nevertheless, it truly was the best car in its class in the US market during its time.
Now, I’m keenly waiting to see what Honda delivers with this 6th generation Prelude when it reaches production. While I’m not particularly drawn back to FWD cars, Honda undeniably achieved something remarkable with the last Prelude, even if it felt slightly limited and underpowered. Despite the initial reports on specifications, I’m eager to see the final product and how it performs once it’s back on the market. The Honda Prelude holds a special place in automotive history, and its revival is something many enthusiasts are watching with great anticipation.
