The H22A4 came in the Honda Prelude, most notably the late-1990s US-market Prelude Type SH and its Japanese-market counterparts.
The H22A4 is a 2.2-liter DOHC inline-4 designed for Honda's H-series family. While it appeared in a few markets, its iconic use was powering the Prelude during the late 1990s, delivering strong performance for the era's sporty coupe. The following sections outline its main applications and notable features.
Primary applications
The following are the main market-specific uses of the H22A4 in production cars.
- US-market Honda Prelude Type SH (1997–2001): 2.2L DOHC i-VTEC engine designated H22A4, paired with a manual transmission and delivering around 190–200 horsepower depending on year.
- Japanese-market Honda Prelude SiR/Si (late 1990s): JDM variants that used the H22A4 as part of the Prelude lineup, often with i-VTEC and higher-rev tuning in certain grades.
In practice, these variants represent the engine's core role in the Prelude across major markets during the late 1990s.
Engine characteristics
What made the H22A4 distinctive
The H22A4 is part of Honda's high-performance H-series and features a 2.2-liter displacement with DOHC and VTEC in this configuration. It contributed to the Prelude's reputation for responsive acceleration, strong high-end power, and a rev-happy character that appealed to enthusiasts. The exact horsepower and torque varied by market and year, but it remained the primary inline-4 option for the Prelude across generations.
Why people care
For collectors and enthusiasts, the H22A4's association with the Prelude marks a high point of Honda's late-1990s engineering: a compact, well-balanced sports coupe with a lightweight chassis and a revvy, VTEC-powered engine.
Summary
The H22A4 powered the Honda Prelude, most notably the US-market Prelude Type SH and the Japanese Prelude SiR/Si variants in the late 1990s. It represents a key moment for Honda's H-series engines, offering strong performance in a relatively lightweight sports coupe during that era.
Does the H22A4 have VTEC?
The fifth-generation Prelude sold from 1997 through 2001 was powered solely by an updated version of the 2.2-liter VTEC engine (H22A4) with 200 hp and 156 lb. -ft. of torque.
What is the most sought after Honda Prelude?
According to some sources, one of the most sought-after years of the Prelude is 1997, because enthusiasts covet the 2.2-litre inline four-cylinder engine. The two model years with zero logged complaints were 2000 and 1996.
What car has a H22A4 engine?
H22A4. Found in the American 5th gen Prelude Base and Type-SH (BB6). Found in the Canadian 5th gen Prelude Base, Type-SH, and SE (BB6).
What makes the H22A a good engine?
Honda Integra Type R (1993-2001)
Known for its high-performance pedigree, the Honda Integra Type R featured the H22A engine. With enhancements like a higher compression ratio, aggressive camshafts, and a performance exhaust system, this version of the H22A produced an impressive 195 horsepower.