Honda Prelude

Honda Prelude: Which Version to Buy and Why

The Honda Prelude version to choose depends chiefly on whether you want maximum performance, an automatic transmission, or lower fuel consumption. From the specifications supplied, the fifth-generation 2.2 MT (220 hp) is the performance leader: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and 243 km/h.

The Honda Prelude version to choose depends chiefly on whether you want maximum performance, an automatic transmission, or lower fuel consumption. From the specifications supplied, the fifth-generation 2.2 MT (220 hp) is the performance leader: it reaches 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and 243 km/h. The fourth-generation 2.2 MT (200 hp) offers nearly as much acceleration, reaching 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, while the second-generation 1.9 MT (105 hp) is the most powerful carbureted option. For economy, the current 2.0h CVT (200 hp) is the only version with complete consumption and emissions figures. Prices, reliability records, problems, wheel sizes, 0–60 mph times, and sale listings are not present in the supplied data and therefore are not assessed here.

Honda Prelude generations: what changed?

The first-generation Honda Prelude, produced from November 1978 through October 1982, is a Coupe with 2 versions. Both use a 1,600 cc Gasoline Inline 4 engine producing 80 hp. The 1.6 MT has a 5-speed Manual, while the 1.6 AT has a 3-speed Automatic. Both are FWD, carbureted, and have 160 mm of ground clearance.

The second generation ran from November 1982 through March 1987. This Coupe has 4 versions: 1.8 MT, 1.8 AT, 1.9 MT, and 1.9 AT. Output rises from 101 hp in the 1,800 cc versions to 105 hp and 143 Nm in the 1,850 cc versions. The 1.9 models use a Carburetor; transmission choices are a 5-speed Manual or 4-speed Automatic. Ground clearance is 150 mm.

The third generation ran from April 1987 through October 1989 and contains 10 listed versions, followed by a restyling from November 1989 through August 1991 with 8 versions. All are Coupe models with FWD. The pre-restyling range consists entirely of 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT variants, with outputs of 109, 114, 137, or 150 hp. The restyled range retains those exact names, with 109, 114, 137, or 140 hp. Depending on the specific car, engine displacement is 1,958, 1,973, or 2,000 cc. This generation therefore requires careful identification by both transmission and power, because the version name alone is not sufficient.

The fourth generation covers September 1991 through October 1996. Its 10 Coupe versions broaden the range to 2.0 MT, 2.0 AT, 2.2 MT, 2.2 AT, 2.3 MT, and 2.3 AT. Power spans 133–200 hp, and displacement spans 1,996–2,259 cc. Every listed version is Gasoline, Inline 4, naturally aspirated, and FWD. The 5-speed Manual and 4-speed Automatic remain the available transmission formats.

The fifth generation ran from November 1996 through October 2001 and has 11 Coupe versions. Its 2.0 MT and 2.0 AT produce 133 hp, while the several 2.2 MT and 2.2 AT variants range from 135 to 220 hp. The highest-output 2.2 MT (220 hp) combines 2,157 cc with a 5-speed Manual and FWD. Most versions have 140 mm of clearance; the 2.2 MT (200 hp) has 145 mm.

The current sixth generation starts in September 2025. Its single Coupe version is the 2.0h CVT, with a 1,993 cc Gasoline Inline 4 producing 200 hp and 182 Nm. It uses Direct injection (direct), a Variable transmission, and FWD. Compared with the fifth-generation 2.2 MT (200 hp), it retains the same horsepower while using 164 cc less displacement, although the two entries have different transmission types and torque figures.

Honda Prelude engine specs and version comparison

Because identical names recur, the generation and horsepower are essential identifiers.

Power per litre clarifies the hierarchy. The first-generation 1,600 cc engine produces 50 hp per litre. The second-generation 1,850 cc engine delivers about 56.8 hp per litre. The third-generation 1,997 cc engine at 150 hp reaches about 75.1 hp per litre, while the fourth-generation 2,156 cc engine at 200 hp reaches about 92.8 hp per litre. The fifth-generation 2.2 MT (220 hp) delivers about 102.0 hp per litre, narrowly ahead of the sixth-generation 2.0h CVT, at about 100.4 hp per litre.

Honda Prelude performance, 0–100 km/h, top speed, and economy

No 0–60 mph measurements are supplied. Available acceleration figures are 0–100 km/h.

The quickest listed Prelude is the fifth-generation 2.2 MT (200 hp) or 2.2 MT (220 hp) at 6.9 seconds, but the 220 hp version has the higher top speed: 243 rather than 228 km/h. The fourth-generation 2.2 MT (200 hp) takes 7.1 seconds and reaches 237 km/h. Its 4-speed Automatic counterpart takes 8.1 seconds and reaches 233 km/h, so the Manual is 1.0 second quicker to 100 km/h and 4 km/h faster.

Within the fifth generation, the 2.2 MT (185 hp) reaches 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds and 228 km/h. The corresponding 2.2 AT (185 hp) requires 9.0 seconds and reaches 223 km/h. At 160 hp, the 2.2 MT records 8.7 seconds and 217 km/h, while the 2.2 AT records 9.2 seconds and 210 km/h. At 135 hp, Manual and Automatic figures are close: 10.4 versus 10.5 seconds, with top speeds of 205 and 201 km/h.

The fifth-generation 2.0 MT reaches 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds, compared with 10.8 seconds for the 2.0 AT; both have a listed top speed of 201 km/h. In the fourth generation, the same names and output produce the same 9.2- and 10.8-second figures and the same 201 km/h maximum.

For the third generation, the 2.0 MT (150 hp) records 7.9 seconds and 212 km/h. The 150 hp Automatic’s acceleration and top speed are not measured. Among the lower-output cars, the 2.0 MT (109 hp) takes 10.4 seconds and reaches 186 km/h, while the matching Automatic takes 11.3 seconds and reaches 183 km/h. The 2.0 MT (114 hp) takes 9.8 seconds and reaches 190 km/h; the Automatic takes 10.8 seconds and reaches 186 km/h. The 137 hp Manual listings record 8.6 seconds and 205 km/h, while the 137 hp Automatic figures are not measured.

Complete economy data appear only for two fifth- or sixth-generation specifications. The fifth-generation 2.2 AT (200 hp) is listed at 11.7 l/100 km city, 8.7 l/100 km highway, and 9.3 l/100 km combined. The sixth-generation 2.0h CVT is listed at 4.9 l/100 km city, 4.3 l/100 km highway, and 4.2 l/100 km combined, with 98 g/km of CO₂ and Euro 6 classification. All other consumption and CO₂ figures are not measured.

Honda Prelude dimensions, weight, clearance, tank, and wheel sizes

Wheel sizes are not measured for every version. Ground clearance is 160 mm in the first generation, 150 mm in the second and third generations, 145 mm throughout the fourth generation, and generally 140 mm in the fifth generation. The fifth-generation 2.2 MT (200 hp) is the exception at 145 mm. The sixth-generation 2.0h CVT has 135 mm, giving it 25 mm less clearance than the first-generation cars.

Kerb and gross weights are not measured for the first and second generations or most third-generation versions. The restyled third-generation 2.0 AT (140 hp) has a 1,180 kg kerb weight. In the fourth generation, measured kerb weights span 1,220–1,305 kg, while listed gross weight is 1,720 kg where measured. The 2.2 MT (200 hp) weighs 1,260 kg, giving 6.3 kg per hp; its Automatic counterpart weighs 1,290 kg, or 6.45 kg per hp.

Fifth-generation measured kerb weights span 1,220–1,340 kg. The 2.2 MT (220 hp) weighs 1,310 kg, producing the range’s best measured weight-to-power figure at about 5.95 kg per hp. The 2.2 MT (200 hp) weighs 1,320 kg, or 6.6 kg per hp, while the 2.2 AT (200 hp) weighs 1,310 kg, or 6.55 kg per hp. Listed gross weights range from 1,540 to 1,740 kg where measured.

The sixth-generation 2.0h CVT weighs 1,460 kg, or 7.3 kg per hp. Its tank holds 40 litres. Third-, fourth-, and fifth-generation entries list a 60-litre tank; the first- and second-generation tank capacities are not measured. Gross weight for the sixth generation is not measured.

Which Honda Prelude version should you choose?

Choose the fifth-generation 2.2 MT (220 hp) for the strongest measured performance. It combines the highest output, the highest top speed, a joint-best 6.9-second 0–100 km/h time, and the best calculated weight-to-power ratio among versions with measured kerb weight. Compared with the fifth-generation 2.2 MT (185 hp), it adds 35 hp, cuts 0.6 second from the 0–100 km/h time, and raises top speed by 15 km/h.

Choose the fourth-generation 2.2 MT (200 hp) for a close alternative with fully stated performance figures. It is only 0.2 second behind the quickest listed time and has a 237 km/h top speed. Against the fourth-generation 2.2 MT (160 hp), it adds 40 hp and 17 Nm, improves acceleration from 8.3 to 7.1 seconds, and raises top speed from 221 to 237 km/h.

Choose the fifth-generation 2.2 AT (200 hp) if an Automatic is required and performance remains the priority. It has 221 Nm—the highest torque figure in the supplied data—reaches 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, and reaches 227 km/h. The fifth-generation 2.2 AT (185 hp) is 0.9 second slower and 4 km/h slower.

Choose the sixth-generation 2.0h CVT when measured economy and emissions matter more than verified acceleration. Its 200 hp equals the output of several fourth- and fifth-generation 2.2 versions, while its combined consumption is listed 5.1 l/100 km below that of the fifth-generation 2.2 AT (200 hp). However, its 0–100 km/h time and top speed are not measured, so the data do not support a direct performance verdict.

For an earlier carbureted car, choose between the second-generation 1.9 MT and 1.9 AT according to transmission preference. Both produce 105 hp and 143 Nm from 1,850 cc, but only the gearbox differs in the supplied specifications. Prices and market availability are not measured, so the data cannot establish which version costs less or represents the best purchase at a particular budget.