The Honda Prelude is front-wheel drive (FWD). It has never been produced with factory all-wheel drive (AWD). Some models offered a four-wheel steering system to aid handling, but this does not change the drivetrain to AWD.
The question concerns the drivetrain layout of Honda's two-door Prelude, a sports coupe sold from 1978 to 2001 in five generations. This article explains how the Prelude's drivetrain is configured and how four-wheel steering fits into that setup, across generations.
Drivetrain at a glance
Across all generations, the Prelude used a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout with a transverse four-cylinder engine. Some variants included a four-wheel steering (4WS) system to improve handling, but none offered factory AWD.
Key points before the quick summary:
- The Prelude is front-wheel drive (FWD) in every generation.
- No factory all-wheel drive (AWD) option was ever offered.
- Some models featured four-wheel steering (4WS) to improve cornering; this is a steering system, not an AWD drivetrain.
In short, the Prelude's drivetrain remains FWD with optional steering aids, not AWD.
Four-wheel steering versus all-wheel drive
Four-wheel steering (4WS) changes the rear-wheel angle to improve response and reduce understeer, especially during low-speed maneuvers and at the limit. It is a chassis/steering feature and does not add power to the rear wheels. The presence of 4WS on some Prelude variants does not convert the car to AWD.
Historical context by generation
From its first generation in the late 1970s through its final generation, Honda kept the Prelude on a front-wheel-drive platform. The 4WS option appeared on certain late-1980s to mid-1990s models to aid handling, but front-wheel drive remained the powertrain arrangement.
Summary
The Honda Prelude is front-wheel drive (FWD) across all generations. There was no factory AWD Prelude; four-wheel steering (4WS) existed on some models as a handling feature, not a drivetrain change. For buyers seeking AWD in Honda's lineup, other models are options, but not the Prelude.