Whenever a great-looking coupe drops, many of us go through the same cycle: From drooling over the look and some of the performance hardware, the pragmatic parts of our brains raise concerns over rear seat space and whether or not there’s enough cargo room to do an airport run or pick something up from IKEA. So, does the new Honda Prelude have enough space to be someone’s only car? Let’s find out.
Ever since the Prelude concept dropped at the 2023 Tokyo Auto Show, enthusiasts have been anticipating this sleek hybrid coupe, and it’s almost here. While the example that rocked up to the Goodwood Festival of Speed isn’t a full-on production-spec Prelude, it is finalized enough to have a VIN, which means don’t expect any big changes.
Indeed, we’re looking at a three-door liftback, a bodystyle critically underserved in the marketplace, especially at a reasonably affordable price point. A quarter of a century ago, you could take your pick of an Acura Integra, or a Toyota Celica, or a Hyundai Tiburon, or a Mitsubishi Eclipse, and so on and so forth. Now though? If you want a three-door liftback coupe under $100,000, your choices are the Dodge Charger Daytona EV and, well, that’s pretty much it. At least, it is until the Prelude arrives by the end of this year.
Pop the hatch of the new Prelude, and you should be sufficiently whelmed by the available room. You won’t see big open wells to either side of the opening like you would in a Civic Hatchback, but the surface is still long, wide, and deep enough to be genuinely usable. Enough that swallowing a set of luggage for one shouldn’t be a hardship, and it comes with an elevated liftover height that isn’t absolutely bearishly high. There’s a wafer-thin concealed storage space underneath the cargo floor, but beyond that, you’re looking at dropping the rear seats if you want some serious space.
Unlike many liftback coupes of old, the new Prelude features a split-folding rear seat with backrests that fold pretty much perfectly flat. Releases are easily reached from either inside the cabin or in the cargo area, and integrated headrests mean they likely won’t get in the way of the front seats when you’re going for maximum cargo room. Sure, the latch receivers on either side may get in the way of loading super-wide cargo, but this is a setup that should work great for a lot of people.
Oh yeah, the rear seat. Sure, cramming into the back of a coupe isn’t particularly glamorous, and passenger space is generally somewhat restricted, but a coupe with a rear seat has an edge in daily driver material over one without. As you can probably tell, we crammed five-foot-five-inch Jason Torchinsky into the back of this Prelude and found that while space is a little on the tight side, it far exceeds what you can get in a Subaru BRZ. Sure, the rear seat of this particular example was upholstered in cheap cloth and only has space for two, but you can make that work in a pinch behind a tall driver, provided your rear passenger isn’t particularly tall.
Unsurprisingly, behind Adrian’s six-foot-two-inch driving position, Jason didn’t have much legroom. Okay, it wasn’t quite I-can-feel-the-seat-frame-in-my-knees tight, but denim definitely got friendly with the seatback map pocket.
However, I’m shorter than Adrian, and there’s actually solid rear legroom for Jason behind my five-foot-ten driving position. The main concern is headroom, with Jason’s head coming quite close to the glass in the liftgate. At the same time, the C-pillar is quite thick, meaning the view out the side window isn’t brilliant for adults in back.
[Editor’s Note: I’d actually go a bit further and say you really can’t even see out of 80% of the back window because of that C-pillar. It’s right next to your head, and if you turn to look out the window, you’re actually greeted by just a mass of gray headliner and plastic. It’s a bit disconcerting. – JT]
Still, it’s far more commodious than the rear seat of a Subaru BRZ or Toyota GR86, and I’d put it in the same league as the rear seat in the Ford Mustang.
So, if you’re curious about the new Prelude but have concerns about whether the rear seat will be good for occasional adult use or whether the cargo area would end up being tiny, here’s some good news: Provided you aren’t constantly driving around three tall passengers, things should be good.
Top graphic image: Thomas Hundal
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“Cram it in the rear”
… like in the back of a Volkswagen?
Everybody says Prius, but I think this thing gives off a Mitsubishi Eclipse vibe, especially the back half.
I’d love a two/three door anything, but then I think of how my poor Daisy won’t be able to let her ears flap in the wind taking in all the smells
The original Prelude, the one first made in 1625, had enough room in the backseat for anyone without legs but don’t even TRY it if you actually HAD them. Even a 6 year old would have been cramped!
People were shorter in the 17th Century.
You mean the pre-lude, not the post-lude?
The only time I spend in a back seat is in a Lyft or an Uber.
Which is a choice I make to not spend time in the back seat of a Ford Explorer or a Dodge Challenger. You know. The LEO versions of those.
Lots of comments here about how much room we lose compared to bigger cars… I’m looking at it from the other direction. Look at all the usable volume we gain over a Miata!
If this is almost as much fun to drive (on public roads) as a Miata, at about the same price, but with everyday practicality and better fuel economy… it’s worth considering.
Please tell me the internal and external door handles are mechanical…
“If you want a three-door liftback coupe under $100,000, your choices are the Dodge Charger Daytona EV and, well, that’s pretty much it”
Umm, the BRZ/86 would like a word.
Not a liftback
and it’s still automatic only? womp womp
I’m not sure why but I’m surprised to learn Torch is that short. I had him figured for like 5’10” or so
I honestly do not think this will be a sales success for Honda. Two door coupes only make sense for those under 30 with limited friend circles (i.e., they do not mind the hassle of getting into the back seat). This is not a big market. I double down on my opinion in that the styling is so ho-hum most people will not even notice it on the street.
Completely agree. My friends/relatives are way over 30 and I don’t want them to have to deal with that. Nor would I. There’s still a niche for four door sedans that are easy enough to get into and not so tall requiring a step-up floorboard like my brother’s pickup.
Maybe the Toyota Crown is the right height? Dunno.
It was painful for 68-year-old me to get out of my friend’s Audi S4, 9 months ago and no, I wasn’t pregnant. My Accord is tall enough it doesn’t hurt.
Wait, that’s not a Prius?
Boy is that front end similar as all hell.
Nissan 400Z: “hey, um, guys, I’m a three door lift back too! Why does everyone always ignore me!”
I can only assume he was limiting to 2+2’s?
Back seat reviews of coupes makes me think of good ol will it baby reviews on the old site! I always loved those (even as a young twenty something). Now that there is a fearless leader with fresh offspring on the site maybe it’s time for an Autopian version?
How does it work with a short driver and tall backseat passenger?
I sincerely doubt you’re going to get Adrian to sit in that back seat.
I’d brain myself on the the tailgate glass.
Accidentally or voluntarily?