Honda Prelude Road Test Coming up.

That’s right, I have a brand new Honda Prelude to drive for a whole week. As you can see, the color has already turned some heads and this is not a ride for someone who doesn’t want to get noticed…

Many have been bashing the new Prelude even before it came out.

“It looks like a Toyota”. ‘’It’s Not a real sports car”. “it’s too expensive” etc…. And yes, that’s all true.

The front end does look like a Toyota. Which is a bit odd. But older Preludes always looked different than other Honda models. And it’s not a sports car but the Prelude never was. And yes, at over $42,000, it is expensive. Back in 2001, the last year of the Previous generation, the Prelude started at $23,600 for the base model. (Automatic was a $1000 option). Adjusted for inflation, that is around $44,000 today.

What is more of a problem is the Prelude’s almost $10,000 premium over a loaded Honda Civic hatchback Touring Hybrid. where you get similar power and a sunroof. The Prelude doesn’t even offer a sunroof as an option. Which is a first for a Prelude.

So far, the car looks very nice and very modern in person. But you don’t get more power than in the Civic hybrid.
Which is really fine and there’s no need for more.

So far the ride is pretty smooth on the Comfort mode. The steering is OK, but not great. (Even in sport mode), and road noise is always present, at pretty much any speed around town. Which I think is mostly due to the big tires and the total lack of cover for the cargo under the hatch. At least in my test car.

As usual, feel free to ask me anything about the car…