The Honda Prelude stopped production after the 2001 model year.
The Prelude was Honda’s long-running two-door sport coupe, launched in 1978 and produced through five generations until 2001. Its run ended as Honda shifted focus to other models—such as sedans, crossovers, and hybrids—and as market demand for traditional two-door sport coupes declined. The final Prelude built rolled off the line in 2001, ending a 23-year production span.
Timeline overview
Here is a concise timeline of the Prelude's production across generations to place the end of the line in context.
- First generation: 1978–1982
- Second generation: 1983–1987
- Third generation: 1988–1991
- Fourth generation: 1991–1996
- Fifth generation: 1996/1997–2001
Note: Exact model-year transitions varied by market, but the global production ended in 2001.
Why Honda ended the Prelude
Honda discontinued the Prelude as part of a broader strategic shift in the early 2000s. Demand for two-door sport coupes had declined relative to practical sedans and the rising popularity of crossovers. The company also faced increasing safety, emissions, and platform-cost considerations that made a direct successor less attractive. As a result, the Prelude was not replaced with a new model in most markets, and resources were redirected toward other product families.
Regional notes
While production ended worldwide in 2001, some markets sold the remaining inventory into the early 2000s. Nevertheless, the official end date for global Prelude production remains 2001.
Legacy and what followed
Since the Prelude’s discontinuation, Honda has not introduced a direct two-door rival to the model. The brand has emphasized the Civic Si, various sportier trims, and, later, crossovers and hybrids. Among enthusiasts, the Prelude remains a remembered icon of late-20th-century sport coupes, known for its handling and distinctive styling.
In summary, Honda stopped producing the Prelude after the 2001 model year, ending a 23-year run that spanned five generations and left a lasting imprint on the sport-compact segment.