Generation history
The Honda Prelude has been through 6 generations, starting in 1978, 1982, 1987, 1991, 1996 and 2025. The gaps were 4, 5, 4, 5, 29 years, an average of 9.4. Some of those waits were long. The current generation began in 2025. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2033 through 2035, centered on 2034. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The Prelude nameplate has been revived for a hybrid electric concept car, showcased at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, and subsequently shown in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Honda Prelude model page.
Every generation
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| First generation | SN | 1978–1982 | On 24 November 1978, the Prelude was launched to the Japanese market. |
| Second generation | AB/BA1/2/3/6/BB | 1982–1987 | The second-generation Prelude was released in Japan on 25 November 1982 and worldwide in the spring of 1983. |
| Third generation | BA3/4/5/7 | 1987–1991 | On 9 April 1987, the third-generation Prelude was released in the Japanese domestic market and released later that year worldwide, being a 1988 model in North America. |
| Fourth generation | BA8/9/BB1/2/3/4 | 1991–1996 | On 19 September 1991, the fourth-generation Prelude was introduced in Japan, and in Europe from early 1992. |
| Fifth generation | BB5/6/7/8/9 | 1996–2025 | Introduced on 7 November 1996, the fifth-generation Prelude retained an FWD layout with an independent front suspension. |
| Sixth generation | BF1 | 2025–present | The Prelude nameplate has been revived for a hybrid electric concept car, showcased at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, and subsequently shown in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show. |
The Honda Prelude spent 9.4 years per generation on average. The current one is 1 years old. Treat 2033 to 2035 as a range, not a date.
Source: Honda Prelude (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Honda Prelude model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
On 24 November 1978, the Prelude was launched to the Japanese market. It had its world premiere at the 1979 AutoRAI in Amsterdam, two months later. In Japan it was only available at the newly established dealership sales channel Honda Verno. This dealership chain also introduced the Honda Quint, the Honda Ballade, and the Accord-based Honda Vigor as its largest sedan and hatchback.
The second-generation Prelude was released in Japan on 25 November 1982 and worldwide in the spring of 1983. Riding on an all-new platform, the Prelude was initially available with an A18A or ET-2, 1.8 L 12-valve twin carburetor engine, producing 105 PS DIN (77 kW). In Japan, Asia and Europe, it later became available with a 2-liter DOHC 16-valve PGM-FI engine (JDM = BA1, EU = BA2) although this engine was not released in Europe until 1986.
On 9 April 1987, the third-generation Prelude was released in the Japanese domestic market and released later that year worldwide, being a 1988 model in North America. Featuring evolutionary styling from its predecessor, it shared design cues from the Honda NSX that would be introduced later in 1990.
On 19 September 1991, the fourth-generation Prelude was introduced in Japan, and in Europe from early 1992. The car had a 58% front and 42% rear weight distribution.
Introduced on 7 November 1996, the fifth-generation Prelude retained an FWD layout with an independent front suspension. The fifth-generation Prelude marked a return to the more square bodystyle of the third generation, in an attempt to curb slumping sales of the fourth-generation bodystyle. The two-door notchback style is retained but the design is less aggressive and more angular than the previous generation. The redesigned sports coupe is slightly larger than its predecessor at 1.4 inches (36 mm) longer in wheelbase and 3.2 inches (81 mm) overall.
The Prelude nameplate has been revived for a hybrid electric concept car, showcased at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, and subsequently shown in North America at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Another example finished in red made its debut in July 2024 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where the Prelude was also confirmed for a European release. The revival of the Prelude nameplate is part of Honda's recent revival of old nameplates, such as Passport and Integra.
Generation notes adapted from Honda Prelude (Wikipedia).
Today's Honda Prelude