The Prelude shows off excellent straight-line stability for such a small, light car. Braking is surprisingly stable, too. But the Prelude really shines in the corners, where roll is well controlled and tracking is sure and predictable. Powered by a 200-horsepower multi-valve four-cylinder engine. This engine employs race-car style variable valve timing to squeeze out tons of power from 2.2 litres of displacement.

Standard features included power glass sunroof, power heated side mirrors/door locks/windows, green heat absorbing glass, driver's seat height adjustment, air conditioning, AM/FM CD player w/acoustic feedback system and six speakers, cruise control, full analogue instruments, tilt steering, front passenger walk-in seat, fold-down rear seatback w/lock and a 12-volt power outlet.

Stylistically, all versions of Prelude look identical except for the SH's rear spoiler. Compared to the last generation Prelude, the '97 model was designed with sharper edges, more angular lines and vertical headlamps. The cabin designers included tasteful shapes and features, all with a fairly typical Honda flavour.

A major, major improvement from 1997 onward was the switch from digital gauges, which in the '96 car were stretched out across the dashboard in an arrangement reminiscent of a '65 Chevy Impala, to easy-to-read conventional instruments sitting in a pod directly in front of the driver.