The first Honda Prelude appeared in 1978.
The Honda Prelude marked Honda's entry into the sport coupe segment, debuting in the late 1970s and evolving through five generations before production tapered in the early 2000s. The original Prelude set a template for front-wheel-drive sport coupes and established Honda's tradition of blending performance with practicality.
Origins and release year
The Prelude was officially introduced by Honda in 1978, with production starting that year and sales often aligned to the 1979 model year in many markets. It was designed as a compact two-door coupe with a focus on driving dynamics and innovation for its era.
Generations at a glance
Below is a concise timeline showing how the Prelude evolved across its five generations, from its 1978 debut through its final production years.
- First generation: 1978–1982
- Second generation: 1983–1987
- Third generation: 1988–1991
- Fourth generation: 1992–1996
- Fifth generation: 1997–2001
Production in some markets extended into 2002, but the standard reference for the Prelude’s lifecycle is its debut in 1978 through the end of its fifth generation in 2001.
Summary
The first Honda Prelude was introduced in 1978. It began a lineage that spanned five generations and persisted as Honda’s distinctive sporty coupe through the early 2000s.
What billionaire drives a Honda Accord?
Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos was still driving a 1997 Honda Accord years after becoming a billionaire. Bezos's choice of car came to light in a “60 Minutes” interview with Bob Simon in 1999. At that time, Amazon was a 5-year-old company known mainly as an online bookstore.
At what mileage do Hondas break down?
about 200,000 miles
How long do Honda cars typically last? This question is common among car shoppers, as they want to understand a car's resale value and the average yearly repair costs. Honda cars are one of the most reliable car brands on the market. The typical lifespan of a Honda car is about 200,000 miles.
Is the 2000 Prelude a fast car?
In the Prelude SH, this meant the H22A4, a 2.2-liter “big-block” four-cylinder good for 200 hp and 156 lb-ft, enough for a tested 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds and a 139-mph top speed.
What year to avoid Honda Prelude?
Reliability on Fourth-gen Honda Prelude models is less impressive, however, with the most problems and concerns relating to 1992 models.