1996 Honda Prelude Summary & Specs Review at Automotive.com
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1996 Honda Prelude Review: Summary & Specs

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1996 Honda Prelude Review

Still one of the very best of an endangered species.

1996 Prelude Review Summary & Specifications

A sport coupe should deliver both style and performance, and the Prelude provides far

more than the minimum daily requirement of both.

Although cars like this have to cover basic automotive missions like comfortable

commuting and errand-running, their primary function is to get their owners' adrenal

glands pumping.

The Prelude Si and VTEC are particularly good at this.

It's true that the Prelude has a tiny back seat, but that's true to some degree of all

cars in this class and we constantly marvel at folks who buy a Prelude, Probe, Eclipse

or the like and later start griping about the back seat space.

The Prelude is designed to provide mechanical sophistication and high-quality assembly

in a stimulating personal transportation package. And that's precisely what it does.

True, it can't carry a little league team or two weeks' worth of groceries, and high

ground clearance and 4-wheel drive just aren't part of its game.

But no sport-utility vehicle on earth can deliver this kind of handling and

excitement. Come to think of it, neither can most other cars.

Review Sections
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1996 Honda Prelude Specs
Vehicle CategorySports Cars
EditorTony Swan
Model Lineup
Engines (standard)2.2-liter sohc 16v 4-cyl.
Transmissions (standard)5-speed manual
Engines (optional)160-hp 2.3-liter dohc 16v 4-cyl.; 190-hp dohc 2.2-liter dohc 16v VTEC 4-cyl.
Transmissions (optional)4-speed automatic (S, Si)
Safety Equipment (standard)Dual airbags
Safety Equipment (optional)
Basic Warranty3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled InJapan
Manufacturer Phone1-800-33-HONDA
Manufacturer URLwww.honda.com
Base Price MSRP19960


1996 Honda Prelude Specs as Tested
Model Tested MSRPPrelude Si
Standard EquipmentAM/FM/cassette sound system, power sunroof, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, tilt steering, rear window defogger, power antenna
Options as Tested (MSRP)ABS, air conditioning, power locks, 15-in. alloy wheels
Destination Charge
Gas Guzzler Tax
Price as Tested22655
Layout
Horse Power135 @ 5200
Torque142 @ 4000
Fuel Economy23/29
Wheelbase100.4
Length/Width/Height174.8/69.5/50.8
Track Front/Rear60.0/59.6
Turning Radius35.9
Seating Capacity2+2
Front Head/Hip/Leg room38.0/52.2/44.2
Middle Head/Hip/Leg room
Rear Head/Hip/Leg room35.1/41.4/28.1
Trunk Volume7.9
Payload
Towing Capacity
Front SuspensionIndependent
Rear SuspensionIndependent
Ground Clearance
Curb Weight2765
Stock TiresP185/70R-14
Brakes Front/Reardisc/disc
Fuel Capacity15.9
1996 Honda Prelude