Honda Prelude 2.0 eHEV Advance 3dr CVT

Ten Second Review

The Prelude restores our faith in Honda as a maker of genuinely interesting, appealing little driver-focused cars. This pretty two-door Hybrid coupe is only mildly sporting, but involving and desirable nonetheless.

Background

I last wrote about a Honda prelude over a quarter of a century ago. I never thought I would again. This was the Japanese maker's classy mid-sized two-door coupe from the era of the Toyota Celica, the Nissan 200SX and the Vauxhall Calibra - names long forgotten by today's car-buying public. And a genre long forgotten with them. So why is Honda now reviving it? Interesting question. Partly because it can. All the engineering here was already on the shelf from various Civic models. Partly because with the demise of the Civic Type R, the brand can't quite bring itself to be without a properly sporting model. And partly because thankfully, refreshingly, Honda has always wanted to be different. And 'different' here means re-inventing the coupe genre for the Hybrid era.

Driving Experience

There's lots that you wouldn't expect here. Quite a lot of it's good. Let's start with the engine. Instead of the de-tuned Civic Type R unit you might expect, it's a full-Hybrid - specifically the 2.0-litre Atkinson Cycle four cylinder Hybrid from the Civic e:HEV. Which is right up there as one of the least sporty powertrains Honda has yet made. And here, it doesn't produce any more horsepower - so just 181bhp. But don't stop reading just yet, because quite a lot's been done here to make this unit more exciting. Primarily in the addition of eight simulated gears, courtesy of the brand's clever 'S+Shift' system. They have to be simulated because, as in the Civic e:HEV, the engine is one of those that doesn't actually drive the wheels (except under really heavy loads or a constant cruise). Instead, it drives a generator to feed electricity to the big drive motor (one of two) or the battery. The eight virtual gears are overlaid on top of the Hybrid's single-speed transmission, complete with rev-matched downshifts and engine note tuning through active sound control. No ordinary Hybrid then. You get four drive modes - 'Comfort', 'GT', 'Sport' and 'Individual' - which also control adaptive dampers, which are part of a package of handling items borrowed from the Civic Type R. Also carried over from that hot hatch are dual-axis front struts and multi-link rear suspension, though with softer springs and roll rates. The Civic's 'Honda Architecture' platform has been trimmed to allow for a shorter wheelbase and a lighter body, so aiding cornering reflexes. And even though performance is hardly shattering (0-62mph takes 8.2s en route to a modest 117mph), there are properly powerful Brembo brake discs. Don't be put off by that sprint figure. This isn't supposed to be a sports car. But it is supposed to involve its driver, hence all the effort that's gone into creating superbly feelsome steering and a ride that flows and breathes with the road, accompanying an engine note that does the same.

Design and Build

To many eyes, this will be a pretty little car. Honda says that the shape was inspired by gliders, low and wide, with elegant surfacing and a double-bubble roof. It's sleek too, with a ribbed front under-spoiler that channels air beneath the car and a flat-tailed boot lid to generate high-speed downforce. The details also please; the blue Brembo brake discs you glimpse the spokes of the unique 19-inch wheels; and the italicised 'Prelude' script on the tail. It doesn't feel as special or unique once behind the wheel, where the low-set dashboard design is broadly just carried over from the Civic. You don't sit any lower than in that car and through a three-spoke wheel view a clearly-configured 10.2-inch digital cluster that changes from power meter to rev counter when the S+Shift system is active. That transmission's buttons feel cheap. There's the usual 9.0-inch Honda central touchscreen to handle infotainment, with its old-style graphics. And against the modern trend, there's a welcome selection of switches and buttons. Unusually, the front seats differ from each other, with firmer bolstering for the driver and softer cushions for the passenger. The rear bench is different again, upholstered in cloth rather than (as at the front) in leather. Given that this is a two-door coupe, you won't be expecting much in terms of head and leg space, but it's OK for kids and short trips - a genuine 2+2. The boot is deep, with 663-litres to offer but a high lip to get over first.

Market and Model

Honda UK is initially bringing in only 400 Preludes, then 500 per annum thereafter, which doesn't sound very ambitious. So if you don't happen to like this Prelude, they won't be bothered very much. Since there are so few to sell, there's predictably only one top-spec trim level, for which the brand wants around £41,000. A sum that would get you slightly more rapid performance and drive from the 'right' end in this car's only theoretical small coupe rival, BMW's rear-driven 2 Series Coupe (in 220i form). A car which would cost about the same in a similar spec. Standard kit includes 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, adaptive suspension, a BOSE audio system and full wireless smartphone integration. Safety is also well accounted for, with the latest Honda SENSING system carefully tuned to deliver enhanced driver support. In addition, the Adaptive Cruise Control, Road Departure Mitigation System and Lane Keeping Assist System have been carefully recalibrated to suit the model's more dynamic character - typifying the attention to detail that is apparent throughout this car. Customers can also choose from four exterior colour options, including a new rich Moonlit White Pearl, plus Meteoroid Grey Metallic, Crystal Black Pearl and Racing Blue Pearl. Other than that, there are no options. With this car, Honda is also offering the latest version of its Honda+ smartphone app, which includes remote vehicle locking and unlocking, plus 'intelligent geofencing', which alerts an owner if the vehicle breaches a pre-set 'geofence' zone. Plus there's the ability to send journey information from the app to the car's navigation system.

Cost of Ownership

As you'd hope, efficiency is quite impressive. The combined cycle fuel figure is 54.3mpg, with 117g/km of CO2. Over 50mpg on a regular basis should be completely realistic. To get near to this figure, you'll need to be frequently in the most economic 'Comfort' drive mode and you'll have to be making proactive use of the steering wheel's brake regen shift paddles, which are operative when the 'S+Shift' system isn't engaged. There are energy flow screen graphics showing what the Hybrid system is up to. To give you some perspective on the efficiency figures here, a rival BMW 220i Coupe manages 44.1mpg and 146g/km. Quite a difference. Many customers will want to budget ahead for scheduled maintenance with fixed-price scheme called 'Five'. It includes five years' worth of maintenance, an extended warranty for this period and roadside assistance breakdown cover should the unexpected happen. This can be transferred to a new owner if you sell the car before the service plan has expired. The three year 90,000 mile warranty is better than the package you get from many competitors too. In addition, surface corrosion is covered for three years, exhaust corrosion is covered for five years, chassis corrosion is covered for ten years and structural corrosion for twelve years.

Summary

This is all about perspective. If you're coming to this Prelude from the Civic Type R. Or if you somehow still remember the glorious rorty feel of old Prelude VTi models, then you probably won't like this Hybrid interpretation of Prelude values at all. That's because you'll be expecting some sort of sports car, which isn't really what this Honda is trying to be. But original Preludes of the 1980s weren't sports cars either; just elegant compact coupes like this one is. Without the added benefit you get here of a petrol/electric Hybrid drivetrain that against the odds, the Japanese engineers have somehow made to feel involving. The result is a beautifully curated confection that sounds great, looks lovely and is involving when you want it to be and relaxing when you don't. It's quite an achievement.