Honda Prelude 0–60 Times
The Honda Prelude 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 14 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver, Motor Trend and MotorWeek and more. A further 2 modified or prototype runs are listed by year but kept out of every record and average, per our methodology.
The fastest tested production Honda Prelude is the 1993 Honda Prelude Si VTEC Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 6.30 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 14.60 seconds at 98.0 mph, according to MotorWeek.
The slowest tested production Honda Prelude is the 1985 Honda Prelude Coupe, which took 10.70 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 16.80 seconds at 77.0 mph, according to MotorWeek.
Across the 14 verified production tests of the Honda Prelude, the average 0–60 mph time is 7.61 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 15.71 seconds at 88.62 mph.
Separately, 2 modified or prototype runs are on record for the Honda Prelude, led by the 1995 Honda Prelude Drag Turbo VTEC Coupe at 5.70 seconds. These are not stock configurations and are excluded from the figures above.
Fastest 0–60 6.30sec 1993 Si VTEC Coupe · stock
Average 0–60 7.61sec Across 14 production runs
Fastest Modified 5.70sec 1995 Drag Turbo VTEC Coupe · modified
Avg ¼ Mile 15.71sec @ 88.6 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 10.70sec 1985 Coupe
Across 14 verified production runs, the Honda Prelude ranges from 6.30 to 10.70 seconds 0–60, with a 7.61-second average. 2 modified or prototype runs are recorded separately and excluded from this range.
The Honda Prelude is ranked in these lists
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Honda Prelude Performance Overview
Honda Prelude performance, across 16 verified tests spanning 1985 to 2026 (15 production, 1 modified), traces a compact coupe that moved from modest naturally aspirated gasoline beginnings to a modern hybrid return. The earliest result, the 1985 Coupe, needed 10.7 seconds to reach 60 mph with its 100-hp A18A. Third Generation cars from 1988-1991 improved with the 135-hp B20A5, including the 1989 Si Coupe at 8.6 seconds.
The main acceleration gains came in the Fourth and Fifth Generation years. Fourth Generation Preludes (1992-1996) expanded from the 160-hp H23A1 to the 190-hp H22A1 VTEC, dropping to 7.2 seconds in the 1992 Si Coupe and 6.3 seconds in the 1993 Si VTEC Coupe. The outlier and overall quickest test remains the modified 1995 Drag Turbo VTEC Coupe at 5.7 seconds to 60 mph and 14.2 seconds in the quarter-mile. Fifth Generation models (1997-2001) stayed naturally aspirated, with the 1997 Type SH Coupe posting 6.9 seconds.
Today, the Sixth Generation returns for 2026 as a hybrid rather than a conventional gasoline coupe. In current testing, the 2026 Liftback Coupe records 6.5 seconds to 60 mph, placing the Prelude near its late-1990s production pace while adding powertrain diversity absent from earlier generations.
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Honda Prelude 0–60 Times by Generation: Second Generation to Sixth Generation
5 generations| Generation | Years | Avg 0–60 | Fastest 0–60 | Production Tests | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sixth Generation | 2026–present | 6.90s | 6.50s — 2026 Liftback Coupe | 2 | The Sixth Generation generation (2026–present) averaged 6.90 seconds to 60 mph across 2 production tests, led by the 2026 Liftback Coupe at 6.50 seconds. Configurations include 2.0L I-4 + Elec. |
| Fifth Generation | 1997–2001 | 7.08s | 6.90s — 1997 Type SH Coupe | 4 | The Fifth Generation generation (1997–2001) averaged 7.08 seconds to 60 mph across 4 production tests, led by the 1997 Type SH Coupe at 6.90 seconds. Output ranged from 195 to 200 hp across 2.2L I-4 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average. |
| Fourth Generation | 1992–1996 | 6.73s | 6.30s — 1993 Si VTEC Coupe | 4 | The Fourth Generation generation (1992–1996) averaged 6.73 seconds to 60 mph across 4 production tests, led by the 1993 Si VTEC Coupe at 6.30 seconds. Output ranged from 160 to 190 hp across 2.2L I-4, 2.2L Turbo I-4, 2.3L I-4 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average. |
| Third Generation | 1988–1991 | 8.97s | 8.60s — 1989 Si Coupe | 3 | The Third Generation generation (1988–1991) averaged 8.97 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1989 Si Coupe at 8.60 seconds. Output was 135 hp across 2.0L I-4 configurations. |
| Second Generation | 1983–1987 | 10.70s | 10.70s — 1985 Coupe | 1 | The Second Generation generation (1983–1987) averaged 10.70 seconds to 60 mph across 1 production tests, led by the 1985 Coupe at 10.70 seconds. Output was 100 hp across 1.8L I-4 configurations. |
Sixth Generation 2026–present
Avg 0–60 6.90s
Fastest 6.50s
Tests 2
2026 Liftback Coupe
The Sixth Generation generation (2026–present) averaged 6.90 seconds to 60 mph across 2 production tests, led by the 2026 Liftback Coupe at 6.50 seconds. Configurations include 2.0L I-4 + Elec.
Fifth Generation 1997–2001
Avg 0–60 7.08s
Fastest 6.90s
Tests 4
1997 Type SH Coupe
The Fifth Generation generation (1997–2001) averaged 7.08 seconds to 60 mph across 4 production tests, led by the 1997 Type SH Coupe at 6.90 seconds. Output ranged from 195 to 200 hp across 2.2L I-4 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average.
Fourth Generation 1992–1996
Avg 0–60 6.73s
Fastest 6.30s
Tests 4
1993 Si VTEC Coupe
The Fourth Generation generation (1992–1996) averaged 6.73 seconds to 60 mph across 4 production tests, led by the 1993 Si VTEC Coupe at 6.30 seconds. Output ranged from 160 to 190 hp across 2.2L I-4, 2.2L Turbo I-4, 2.3L I-4 configurations. A further 1 result from 1 modified vehicle is recorded but excluded from the average.
Third Generation 1988–1991
Avg 0–60 8.97s
Fastest 8.60s
Tests 3
1989 Si Coupe
The Third Generation generation (1988–1991) averaged 8.97 seconds to 60 mph across 3 production tests, led by the 1989 Si Coupe at 8.60 seconds. Output was 135 hp across 2.0L I-4 configurations.
Second Generation 1983–1987
Avg 0–60 10.70s
Fastest 10.70s
Tests 1
1985 Coupe
The Second Generation generation (1983–1987) averaged 10.70 seconds to 60 mph across 1 production tests, led by the 1985 Coupe at 10.70 seconds. Output was 100 hp across 1.8L I-4 configurations.
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Honda Prelude 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
14 production tests + 2 modified · 9 years ▾
2026 Honda Prelude
2 production runs Avg 0–60 6.90 sec
Avg ¼ Mile 15.10 sec
Production Tests 2
#02
2026 Honda Prelude Liftback Coupe
6.50sec 0–60
15.30s ¼ mi @ 90.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 6.50 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 15.30 sec
- Trap Speed
- 90.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L I-4 + Elec
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- E-CVT
- MPG EPA
- 46 C / 41 H / 35 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Liftback
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #2 of 14 production runs
#10
2026 Honda Prelude Liftback Coupe (S+ Mode)
7.30sec 0–60
14.90s ¼ mi @ 92.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 7.30 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 14.90 sec
- Trap Speed
- 92.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.0L I-4 + Elec
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Transmission
- E-CVT
- MPG EPA
- 46 C / 41 H
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Liftback
- Powertrain
- Hybrid
- Test Source
- Car and Driver
- Overall Rank
- #10 of 14 production runs
How we verify Honda Prelude performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Honda Prelude trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Honda Prelude 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
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Honda Prelude performance FAQs
10 questions The 2026 Honda Prelude runs 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds in Liftback Coupe form. A separate 2026 Liftback Coupe test in S+ Mode recorded 7.3 seconds. Across the two 2026 tests on record, the Sixth Generation Prelude averages 6.9 seconds to 60 mph.
The quickest Honda Prelude on record is the 1995 Drag Turbo VTEC Coupe, which reached 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and ran the quarter-mile in 14.2 seconds at 104 mph. That car is listed as heavily modified, so it stands as the fastest overall Prelude test rather than the fastest stock example.
The fastest stock Honda Prelude on record is the 1993 Si VTEC Coupe at 6.3 seconds from 0-60 mph. That makes it quicker than the current 2026 Liftback Coupe at 6.5 seconds and well ahead of the Prelude's overall production average of 7.49 seconds across 15 stock tests.
The Sixth Generation Honda Prelude, introduced for 2026, averages 6.9 seconds from 0-60 mph across two tests. The quickest Sixth Generation run is 6.5 seconds by the 2026 Liftback Coupe, while another 2026 Liftback Coupe in S+ Mode posted 7.3 seconds. Both recorded quarter-mile times under 15.3 seconds.
The Fourth Generation Honda Prelude, sold from 1992 to 1996, averages 6.52 seconds from 0-60 mph across five tests. Its quickest run is 5.7 seconds from the 1995 Drag Turbo VTEC Coupe, though that car was heavily modified. The fastest stock Fourth Generation Prelude is the 1993 Si VTEC Coupe at 6.3 seconds.
The Fifth Generation Honda Prelude, sold from 1997 to 2001, averages 7.08 seconds from 0-60 mph across four tests. The quickest Fifth Generation example is the 1997 Type SH Coupe at 6.9 seconds. That places it behind the best Fourth Generation stock cars, but ahead of the Third Generation's fastest verified run.
The standard 2026 Honda Prelude Liftback Coupe is quicker to 60 mph, posting 6.5 seconds versus 7.3 seconds for the Liftback Coupe in S+ Mode. Interestingly, the S+ Mode car was quicker in the quarter-mile, running 14.9 seconds at 92 mph compared with 15.3 seconds at 90 mph for the standard test.
Honda Prelude Type SH models average 7.1 seconds from 0-60 mph across three tests, with a best run of 6.9 seconds. The fastest example is the 1997 Type SH Coupe at 6.9 seconds, while other Type SH-related tests, including used and prototype entries, came in at 7.0 seconds.
The Honda Prelude Si VTEC Coupe averages 6.5 seconds from 0-60 mph across two tests, with a best run of 6.3 seconds. That 6.3-second result from the 1993 Si VTEC Coupe stands as the quickest stock Prelude on record, making the Si VTEC one of the strongest factory-performing Prelude trims.
Across 16 verified Honda Prelude tests, the average quarter-mile time is 15.59 seconds at 89.9 mph. The fastest quarter-mile on record is 14.2 seconds at 104 mph by the heavily modified 1995 Drag Turbo VTEC Coupe. For the 2026 Prelude, quarter-mile results are 15.3 seconds at 90 mph and 14.9 seconds at 92 mph.
Sources
Car and Driver
Motor Trend
MotorWeek
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Honda Prelude can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Honda 0–60 times
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