From carwow.
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Mat’s got his hands on one of the most highly anticipated comeback cars of the decade – the all-new Honda Prelude!
He’s been lucky enough to drive some incredible Japanese sports cars over the past few years. From the legendary hybrid NSX through to the ultra-focused Civic Type R, Mat has had his hands on some of the best-handling cars in the world. But how does Honda’s revived 1990s icon stack up in the modern era?
Let’s start with a look at the stats.
Starting with the engine, it’s powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid setup that produces 180hp and 315Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via an e-CVT transmission, but Honda has fitted a clever new ‘S+ Shift’ system that simulates an 8-speed gearbox with virtual rev-matching! Because it’s carrying a battery, the car weighs approximately 1,480kg. In terms of value, it has a starting price of around £41,000!
But it’s not just a standard eco-box underneath. Honda has actually borrowed some serious hardware directly from the Civic Type R! The Prelude features the exact same dual-axis front suspension to eliminate torque steer, specially tuned adaptive dampers, and a set of massive 4-piston Brembo brakes hiding behind 19-inch alloys.
Inside, the Prelude features a driver-focused 2+2 layout. It comes loaded with a 9-inch infotainment screen, heavily bolstered sports seats, and a sporty D-shaped steering wheel. Oh, and the rear seats fold down so you can actually fit a decent amount of luggage in the back!
So it looks fantastic, but can a 180hp hybrid genuinely deliver the thrills we expect from a sports coupe? And is it a worthy successor to the legendary Prelude name? You’ll need to stick with Mat to see for yourself!
We’d like to say a huge thank you to Craig for lending us his 1999 Prelude for this review.
Craig: https://www.instagram.com/hehe.car.go.slow/
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Chapters
0:00 – Intro: The Legend Returns
0:52 – Exterior Design & Walkaround
3:21 – New Prelude Interior Tour & Quality
7:35 – Classic Prelude Exterior Comparison
11:26 – Retro Interior: 90s vs Modern
13:50 – Engine Specs & Hybrid Powertrain
15:50 – 0-60 MPH & 1/4 Mile Performance Test
18:21 – Braking Distance & Safety Test
19:26 – Price & Value for Money
21:57 – Rear Seats & Boot Space
26:09 – Storage & Daily Practicality
27:19 – Screen & Infotainment Tech Review
28:43 – Driving Impressions: Handling & Speed
32:08 – Real World Fuel Economy & Daily Living
37:37 – Final Verdict: Is it worth it?
