Car Enthusiasts Dislike the Honda Prelude, Yet It is Well-Loved in Real Life

      Jerry Perez

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      Last week, I shared a blog post discussing why the 2026 Honda Prelude and the Honda Civic Type R have gas caps. Today, I want to share another little story from my time with the sleek and somewhat polarizing coupe, which highlights a clash of perspectives between The Car Enthusiast and The Real World.

      The reaction to the Prelude's performance—especially regarding its horsepower, pricing, and position in Honda’s lineup has been, well, substantial. Additionally, constant comparisons with the last-generation Prelude have arisen, with some asserting that it isn't a proper evolution of the legendary sporty coupe.

      After spending several weeks with the Prelude, I can tell you that most everyday people truly don't mind any of that. Of course, price is always a concern for anyone who isn't a billionaire, but everyone who has approached me in parking lots while I'm getting in or out of the Prelude has shown genuine enthusiasm for the car.

      During nearly three weeks, not a single day passed without someone wanting to take a photo of the car, whether it was from another vehicle while driving, when it was parked, or just a honk and a thumbs-up from a passerby. While I was in Montreal for the Grand Prix over Memorial Day weekend, driving the Prelude downtown created quite a stir, with pedestrians pausing to snap photos. One guy crossing the street even stopped, took his time to frame the Prelude and its surroundings, and captured a shot with a real camera, not a smartphone. Now that's commitment.

      On another occasion, a driver of an orange McLaren 720S gave me a thumbs-up at a stoplight, only to realize moments later that someone was photographing me instead of him. He just laughed.

      The discussions I’ve had have also been enjoyable. I’ve talked to young men, older individuals, women, and everything in between. However, I must note that the majority of people who have approached me to compliment or inquire have not been hardcore car enthusiasts. How do I know? Because when I mentioned a few points about the car or used some car jargon, I often saw a confused expression, as if they were thinking, "Huh?"

      Now, I'm not suggesting that one group is more significant than the other or that there aren't valid points regarding the Prelude's value. While I adore it and, in many ways, it suits my current stage in life perfectly, I acknowledge that there are some uncertainties concerning certain aspects of the car.

      What I want to convey is that sometimes car enthusiasts get too caught up in their own opinions and unfairly criticize something that may not deserve it. Sure, it might not be the car for you, and perhaps you wouldn't even consider purchasing one because it “only has 200 hp” or because it costs more than you want to spend on something with limited practicality, and that's completely fine! From my perspective, Honda has provided us with a beautiful sporty coupe at a time when most returning nameplates (and even new ones) are transforming into crossover versions. So, maybe we should appreciate that we didn’t receive another one of those and enjoy it for however long it remains in production.

      Car Enthusiasts 0 – Normal People 1

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