Road&Track Comparo // Honda Prelude vs. VW Golf GTI: Which Is the Accessible Performance Champion?

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Adorable_Arugula1646@reddit

I feel like integra a spec needs to be in the conversation right?

The real answer is buy an Elantra N, i think

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TrainWreck131@reddit

This is the choice I’m making after driving an EN and GTI. Just waiting for my color choice to be available.

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Nefilim314@reddit

I thought the EN was a lot of fun and it’s still available as a manual. If you aren’t going for a manual, I’d say GTI easily.

My hesitation with the EN is that EN owners always seem to talk about how it’s “basically a Type R” with a heavy dose of cope. Like they can’t be happy that they have a banger of a car that won’t break the bank, it’s just living in the shadows of a more expensive car and for some reason excuses need to be made for it.

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TrainWreck131@reddit

I’m getting the DCT. EN was a bit more fun but also had so much more space in the back seat. I’m 6’4 so the GTI was very tight in the back.

Yeah I see the EN crowd with the it’s basically a type R comments. Comparison is the thief of joy. It’s a banger budget car.

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jse000@reddit

Are you often going to be riding in the back seat of your own car?

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MrGreenAcreage@reddit

Backseat space, tall people come from tall families, have tall children, etc.

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-insignificant-@reddit

Maybe they mean room for passengers if they're pushing the driver's seat all the way back.

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xlb250@reddit

You will find this disease in almost every model specific community

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Careless-Trick-5117@reddit

I don’t understand it either, as an owner. I often jokingly call it the Korean Type R, however in reality the cars are very different in their driving dynamics and are often noted to have very opposing characteristics when behind the wheel (fun vs. serious, basically).

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Abba_Fiskbullar@reddit

Used Elantra Ns are dirt cheap.

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Careless-Trick-5117@reddit

Definitely some valid reasons for that though.

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Careless-Trick-5117@reddit

True

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familyguy20@reddit

Also the Kona N I guess is a lifted EN hatchback 🤷‍♂️

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aprtur@reddit (OP)

Funny thing with the Integra A Spec to me is that it's actually lighter than the Prelude when you equip it with the manual. But if you're going for outright Honda sporty car bargain, the Si is the answer. You may lose the hatch, but you save about $10k.

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m0viestar@reddit

GTI.

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EdgarsRavens@reddit

GTI: You can get an S or SE trim for less than Road and Track's "price as tested" Autobahn and you might even get additional discounts at the dealership.

Prelude: You have to deal with a Honda dealership who probably wants an ADM. Also it has a CVT.

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Slow-Raisin-939@reddit

not a CVT, just a marketing name. It's just direct drive, basically like an electric car

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SnikySquirrel@reddit

That’s some really bad marketing. Who thought calling it a CVT would be a selling point?

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Slow-Raisin-939@reddit

No idea. They call it an “eCVT” but yes it is had marketing.

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lunaticfridgeprime@reddit

The prelude isn't being sold as anything even adjacent to a performance vehicle (which is of course, crazy, because it looks fantastic).

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lazarus870@reddit

Did they really have to make the Prelude so ugly? It's like they were trying to make it offensive looking.

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RiftHunter4@reddit

But the Prelude is a performance car, and this powertrain can’t deliver on that.

It's not really a performance car. It's halfway between a sports coupe and a commuter.

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Dnlx5@reddit

The prelude is a personal luxury car. Re-inagined for gen X.

The GTI is a hot hatch.

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bozoconnors@reddit

Re-inagined for gen X

Eh. As both an X'er and former Prelude owner who absolutely adored it... there's almost zero things that attract me to this car aside from the marque.

Having not driven one, I can only assume the suspension and seats alone push this FAR from a 'luxury car'.

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RiftHunter4@reddit

This is probably the best description of the prelude.

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OoIIoO@reddit

I'd say halfway between a commuter and a touring car.

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stakoverflo@reddit

Yea, that's what it is. A poor man's GT car.

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LordBlackass@reddit

Once my eyes were opened to this car being a commuter and tourer for the older crowd it made a lot of sense, particularly as they're likely to have the money to buy one. This type of driver won't exceed the speed limit by much, if at all, but there's more than enough torque for a swift overtake. Good hybrid fuel efficiency for either commutes or longer trips. Good boot space for the weekend getaway. This car being compared to a GTI is grossly unfair.

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AllGravyNoBiscuits@reddit

It’s catering to the 2005 Ford Thunderbird demographic

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tiagojpg@reddit

All I can think about is “Chris Fix’s mom-demographic”.

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knight_prince_ace@reddit

HEY GUYS

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yobo9193@reddit

For me, it’s actually better than a Type R in some ways, most notably that the driver sits closer to the pavement and the Prelude’s lower center of gravity brings an even greater connection to the relationship between car and road.

He must be trolling

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Carvair-98@reddit

Therefore, a dog dragging as(s)phalt is the ultimate driving experience.

Honestly, I want to get a tape measure out and have some number crunchers see if it's actually noticeable. The Type R isn't a particularly tall car to begin with, so is this actually noticeable to the average buyer of this sort of thing, or are they just blowing smoke?

Honestly though, you want to feel like you're driving along the ground, just get something like a C4 Corvette and save your money. I'm amazed they're an older person car, felt like the car swallowed me up like a sinkhole. And the door sills just made it all the more weird to get out of 🚗💨

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crunchynibbas@reddit

Car journalism is very similar to audiophile reviews. Convincing themselves that their new product is superior to their old one with ridiculous reasons and flowery words. Like, if you're down to sitting lower as a pro, it's over dawg.

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xlb250@reddit

GTI was the most boring sporty car I’ve ever driven

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Adorable_Arugula1646@reddit

I have thought this for years. I get everything the GTI offers, and I understand the pull, but it has never done it for me. Drove a mk6-8 and respect them but have never once thought about buying

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Astramael@reddit

The mk7.5 was pretty good. Not outright sporty but well blended between practical and fun.

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aprtur@reddit (OP)

Overseas got the best ones, honestly. The Clubsport is the GTI to have, but for some goofy reason, they kept it out of North America.

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Astramael@reddit

I looked it up and that’s sweet.

In NA I think the spec to have was the Rabbit Edition in Cornflower Blue. I had good times with that car.

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aprtur@reddit (OP)

The Clubsport was/is a wild idea - basically make a lightweight GTI with the R engine tuning. I have a friend in Japan who just picked one up about a year ago, and it's a ridiculously potent car. I'm also a fan of the R Variant, but I already know why we don't get the wagons here.

The Rabbit Edition was a really neat idea, and I'm glad they did it - it reminds me a bit of the 20th Mk4s. That being said, I feel like they should have done more for GTI buyers, like offering the Spektrum program beyond the R. I'm sure that would've had more success on the GTI, since the R was significantly more expensive and a smaller market.

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Safe_Presentation962@reddit

You must be a pretty boring driver then!

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thisisjustascreename@reddit

A 200 horsepower car that struggles with heat soak on a canyon road. lmao.

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bandito-yeet-dorito@reddit

tbf my mk8 heat soaks after a few pulls above 80 degrees.

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gfewfewc@reddit

Is it heat soak or just the fact that the battery has only a fraction the capacity of a fully electric car and once it's exhausted the engine cannot generate enough electricity to drive the wheels at the same power, let alone recharge that battery at the same time? The gas engine makes 140 hp and the electric motor up to 180 so there's always going to be a deficit there if you push it hard long enough.

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Shitadviceguy@reddit

This is the same fate that the Nissan ePower suffers. In reality, you never drive a family SUV to these conditions, so in it doesn't matter. In a sports coupe, it's an issue.

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aprtur@reddit (OP)

At the same time, Nissan has a few Nismo ePower options in Japan - I haven't seen enough track time analysis to know, but I'm curious how the Note Nismo S ePower holds up, being a decently lighter car.

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yobo9193@reddit

I thought you were exaggerating but it’s even worse than I thought:

We found another problem during testing. As I was rocketing up the Crest chasing reviews director Mike Duff in the GTI, the Prelude started to get slower. Those 200 horses became what felt like 150, and then even less. It’s the same sensation I’ve felt when pushing an electric car so hard it derates and limits acceleration to protect the driveline from extreme heat. After a few minutes of chill driving, the Honda went back to its normal, quicker self. But this wasn’t a one-off; it happened several times, even pulling power on less throttle-heavy roads through Malibu Canyon later on.

Calling this a performance car when most commuter cars can handle a canyon run with no heat soak is crazy

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tsar73@reddit

Having blasted down this road in my younger and more reckless days in, of all things, a 2006 Prius, this is just embarrassing. I did lose the brakes at the end and had to coast onto the shoulder of the PCH since it wouldn’t stop, but the powertrain held on like a champ.

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thisisjustascreename@reddit

I wouldn't dare cast unsubstantiated aspersions at Honda's darling eco-hybrid coupe.

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SnowDucks1985@reddit

GTI by miles and miles

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stillpiercer_@reddit

careful now, you’ll ruffle some feathers saying something like that

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SnowDucks1985@reddit

It’s ok I was born to ruffle feathers in this sub lol. GTI is the best daily sports bargain on the market, can comfortably die on that hill

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JPlazz@reddit

Idk. Why would the gr86 not win that battle? I love mine, but it’s still fwd and I’d deduct more points for the turbocharger. US spec models have additional maintenance in carbon cleaning from how they’re set up here for emissions.

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stillpiercer_@reddit

As a DAILY sports bargain? No, I’d say the GTI is better than the GR86. More power, likely a good bit more reliable long term, tons of creature comforts, more room inside, 4 seats, etc. FWD isn’t a big limitation for the GTI at stock power levels, it puts the power down well enough and the eLSD is very noticeable

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randeus@reddit

The VW is more reliable than the GR86 in the long term. Apologize if I have serious doubts on that one.

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Humpdat@reddit

I put 160k on an mk8 with the only real issues being the water pump.

On my second mk8 at 50k this time dsg. 0 problems so far knock on wood

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stillpiercer_@reddit

My understanding is that the MK8 water pump (at least, so far) is just the latest part revision from the final year of the MK7.5. When did you have issues with yours?

My MK7 made it to 79,990 (right before the class-action warranty expired, lol) before the factory housing started to leak.

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Humpdat@reddit

I made it to 55k just after the warranty expired

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TunakTun633@reddit

Why upgrade?

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Humpdat@reddit

I was driving a lot between trips and work. 160k doesn’t guarantee another 50 and I really love the mk8. Figured I would get going while the getting was good.

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JPlazz@reddit

I’m not familiar enough with the Miata but I do know that GTIs still have water pump issues, and leaky sunroofs. More reliable long term, maybe, but I’d wager you can mistreat a Miata a lot more than a GTI before it starts giving you problems. EA888 is a stout platform, but its gremlins have never been fixed, and VW cheapness on maintaining their luxury interior has shown its cracks over time, literally. The room and the LSD is substantial, I will agree with you there.

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stillpiercer_@reddit

The water pump is still an issue with the MK8, but the jury is still out on whether sunroofs still are. I would agree you could neglect the shit out of a Miata longer than you could a GTI, but the ND Miata has had pretty consistent manual transmission failures over its entire life. Maybe not super common, but enough to be worried about. I don’t necessarily think it’s much of a debate on whether or not a Miata or a GTI is a better daily driver though.

The MK7 GTI had a huge piece of trim surrounding the sunroof that was plastic, which cracked over time and it was glued to the roof of the car, so it was a huge job to fix. The MK8 has revised the design and that panel is now glass, which in theory should be much better because it isn’t going to warp and crack with age like the plastic did. As far as general sunroof fuckery, you should be cleaning your sunroof drains on any car with one AT LEAST once a year.

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SnowDucks1985@reddit

The GR86 is nice, but I personally I feel the interior’s not as livable as the GTI and lacks the creature comfort feature. It’s also less powerful, although the manual option for the GR86 gives it an enthusiast edge I suppose

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

By definition it's a hot hatch, though it's been diluted by also having entry-lux aspirations.

Sports car = RWD and two seats by the least strict definition.

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TunakTun633@reddit

Definitions can be pretty limiting. Is a GR86 not a sports car? A 911? A Lotus Emira? M2?

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yobo9193@reddit

An M2 is definitely not a sports car

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triplevanos@reddit

Disagree. What is it otherwise

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randeus@reddit

Sports sedan.

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willpc14@reddit

It has two doors and lacks a C-pillar. How would that qualify as a sedan?

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randeus@reddit

Sports coupe/Grand Tourer for a car then? I’ve had people insist my car isn’t a sports car, so if my car isn’t one, the M2 definitely isn’t one either.

I think the distinction is silly either way.

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triplevanos@reddit

And I’d call that a comfortable sports car. Shit the Mustang is a dedicated platform, 450+hp

Both of those cars are sports cars in my opinion because their existence is first and foremost sporting pleasure

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Bonerchill@reddit

Neither’s existence is primarily driving pleasure.

Both are too big, too heavy, too numb.

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SprackenZieEnglish@reddit

I've gotten to where I just call my M2 a sporty car so that people don't get on the "sportscar" soapbox

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willpc14@reddit

People get very gatekeep-ey about the term sports car. I really don't have an issue with either the M2 or Mustang being called sports cars. I guess if I had to be overly anal the M2 is a 2+2 luxury sports coupe and the Mustang is a muscle/pony car, but I've seen some really stupid debates about muscle vs pony cars too.

(Please ignore my comment history about the 911)

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TunakTun633@reddit

I dunno about the current 2-Series, but we used to call a 2-door E30 a sedan. It’s more about the boxiness / usability of the roofline than it is about the door count.

Barring that, the term “sport compact” comes to mind. It’s a bit heavy-duty for that term, but we used to use that for anything vaguely hot hatch-ish that didn’t fit the mold.

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triplevanos@reddit

It’s not a sports car because reasons, but is a sports sedan despite not being a sedan. Only car enthusiasts!

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yobo9193@reddit

It’s a 2 door sedan with go fast bits, so a sports sedan?

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

I guess you could say two working seats. IMO, the GR makes the cut, but the three others don't really.

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Nefilim314@reddit

A 911 isn’t a sports car?

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willpc14@reddit

911 has always been a GT car and I'll die on that hill. It's rear engined because Porsche wanted to have semi-usable rear seats. By compromising driving dynamics for usability, I think it automatically gets moved out of the pure sports car category and into GT.

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3rdreprieve@reddit

The non-GT versions? Nope. Too soft, and they have 4 seats.

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

It's definitely a GT, especially these days. The 718 exists to address that.

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FuseByte@reddit

GR shares a lot more with an Impreza then you might think, has a fair bit of sports-sedan like limitations. Dedicated chassis is probably the only "hard-line" and even then most sports cars (MX5, 911 especially) need to have "cruiser" trims to be economically viable, so they get a few non-motorsports optimized design decisions that keeps them from being undisputed sports cars online at least.

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3rdreprieve@reddit

An Emira absolutely makes the cut even though (I think?) it has 4 seats.

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

I'm a bit on the fence. Normally I guess it definitely would, but by Lotus standards it's a bit too much car. 50:50 on that for me.

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Careless-Trick-5117@reddit

Emira has two seats. The older Evora doesn’t and it’s definitely a sports car though

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TrptJim@reddit

If you want to be truly pedantic with the original meaning, it would also include being a open top or convertible. Irrelevant in today's discussion about cars, either way.

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

That's why I said the least strict definition. I don't think it's irrelevant, it's just that sports cars mostly don't exist anymore.

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Astramael@reddit

The Prelude is more of a sports car than the GTI.

Although really neither are sports cars at all.

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ManualConnoisseur@reddit

It’s a great all-rounder and performs well, but not sure I’d classify the GTI as “actual sports car”

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SnowDucks1985@reddit

I’m dead

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tiagojpg@reddit

My condolences.

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SnowDucks1985@reddit

Ok that was funny loll

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KyledKat@reddit

The GTI’s a sports car because the r/cars circlejerk simply cannot fathom that the Prelude could have two doors but still be FWD with no more horsepower than the last model.

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3rdreprieve@reddit

5 doors

5 seats

FWD

This is clearly a sports car.

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Phlizza@reddit

The GTI is not a sports car, and drives nothing like one.

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thisisjustascreename@reddit

It's a great car but there is no way you could possibly torture the definition of sports car enough to make a GTI fit it.

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NoctD@reddit

Just stick the Type-R motor and transmission in the Prelude and they'd have an absolute winner on their hands!

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RiftHunter4@reddit

The price for that would be way more than anyone is willing to pay. The Civic Type-R only makes sense because its based on a Civic, which they already make. Even then, it is barely cheap enough for its target market to afford and just below where it starts competing with cars like the Supra.

It is impossible for a Prelude to be anything beyond what it is now and still make sense. What people actually want is a proper S2000 replacement but the market for that kind of car is just too small.

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ghostogresnowrabbit@reddit

According to savagegeese, the engineers said that the parts list of the prelude is more than the type r.

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T-Baaller@reddit

What does not make sense from the enthusiast POV is Honda, a company famous for pretty damn good manuals, makes their only 2-door option automatic only.

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RiftHunter4@reddit

The Type-R and Si are the only manuals in the entire current lineup. I highly doubt anyone would actually buy it if it was manual. Sounds cool, but those people will just buy an Si for way less.

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T-Baaller@reddit

I highly doubt anyone would actually buy it if it was manual.

That's extremely close to the argument against the prelude even existing, just substitute 'civic hybrid' for type-r/si.

I am not saying that it should not exist at all, because I really like a 2-door car. I am saying that the half-measure of only doing a 2-door civic hybrid puts is the frustrating part.

They've now made their civic parts bin such that the CTR is not the ultimate expression of what the platform can be.

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RiftHunter4@reddit

Part of me wonders if the Prelude is just them testing the waters for a more dedicated sports car platform. The Civic has always been a spry option but I wonder if they'd rather ditch the Si and CTR and just move those into a dedicated coupe.

The CTR has a lot of prestige but the Si has definitely fallen to the wayside in car conversations. No one talks about it anymore or recommends it. I could see them letting the civic focus on commuting while letting the Prelude take the Type-R and Si badges with the hybrid being a base model. Assuming the next Type-R is not also a hybrid.

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Successful_Ad_9707@reddit

I'd argue that they could have plopped the L15 or the K20 out of the previous gen accord sport and I think most people would be happy with it. Still making less power than the R, but more competitive and probably cater to a larger market.

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Seeker80@reddit

Still making less power than the R, but more competitive and probably cater to a larger market.

An SiR with that ~260hp output would hit the spot for some folks.

Using the RDXs' engine & SH-AWD in a mid-level trim Integra would be a hit too. Maybe try to undercut the S3, M235i & CLA35 AMG.

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aprtur@reddit (OP)

Si drivetrain would be suitable, as well, in my opinion. Type R drivetrain would probably have the unintended consequence of driving the price up further.

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Kryptus@reddit

The old Accord 2.0T would be great as well.

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jondes99@reddit

The TLX 2.0T and SH-AWD wouldn’t be too shabby, either.

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FrozenUruguayBallbac@reddit

SI drivetrain and RWD and would be a brilliant miata competitor

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

This was the monkey paw curling after people complained that Honda gatekeeps their fun cars behind three pedals.

It's a Type-R for people disinclined to drive a six speed.

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durrtyurr@reddit

Honda weirdly gatekeeps the LSD with the manual. I would likely have bought a more expensive hybrid sport touring hatchback Civic instead of an Si if the hybrid had an LSD. I would have loved a CR-V Si as well, and I would have bought one immediately.

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

As someone who's owned both an LSD equipped and non-LSD equipped recent Civic, I think you're putting a bit too much emphasis on it. It's fun to feel the steering wag when it cinches up, but I don't really have any more traction than without, as their brake based system works so well.

The Si is just a bit faster and a lot more of a handler than a non-Si and it has a proper set of brakes. Plus maybe the best manual currently available, or close.

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durrtyurr@reddit

I've owned both a 10th gen LX 6mt hatch and a 10th gen Si. It is a massive difference in drivability in snow.

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Ancient_Persimmon@reddit

I've had two winters now with the Si and I haven't seen much difference in driveability; maybe my tires have something to do with it, but my Sport hatch was great in the snow.

The hybrid drives through a traction motor anyways, so an LSD is totally redundant in that application.

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Dachshand@reddit

Different transmission.

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IsometricRain@reddit

Or just literally redo what they already got right 20 years ago and re-release the S2000.

Funny how design/engineering/product-planning from 1999 can straight up outcompete these two new enthusiast cars. Aside from practicality, the S2000 (with zero changes except modern tires) is just a better package.

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Recoil42@reddit

Seems pretty obvious they're waiting for their next-gen hybrid powertrains to up the juice.

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DaBanninator@reddit

How can they call these things "performance cars" when even the most basic bitch EV can run rings around both of these?

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DaBanninator@reddit

Everybody down it's, nobody has a good response because they know I'm right 😂

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GadgetChachajii@reddit

This comparison basically comes down to head vs heart.
GTI = logical choice.
Prelude = “I’ve wanted this since I saw one in a magazine in 2002.”

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GadgetChachajii@reddit

Prelude vs GTI feels like a battle between Honda reliability and Volkswagen personality.

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AndreLeGeant88@reddit

GTI would probably be my pick for just an all-around commuter car. I would take the Civic Hybrid over the prelude even though I like the way the prelude looks. That's just so much more practical with equal performance and much cheaper price.

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xt1nct@reddit

I’m taking a GLI.

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AndreLeGeant88@reddit

Jetta GLI looks better but you sacrifice power

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Safe_Presentation962@reddit

GTI. 0 question. More and more I see that the Prelude has some good bits going for it. But the GTI has the whole package, AND you can get a base trim for like $31k. 0 question on this.

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Unfriendly_Giraffe@reddit

Why on earth are these two being compared?

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Uptons_BJs@reddit

To me the problem with sport compacts and hot hatches nowadays is this - they’ve gone up in price, while sport sedan competition is really tough so they haven’t gone up in price as much. You can almost get a legit RWD sport sedan or coupe for the money!

Like, there’s the Mustang. But at $44k for the prelude, can’t you also get a 2 series or say, a Cadillac CT4 V, or Genesis G70, or Audi S4, etc

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stillpiercer_@reddit

The GTI’s base MSRP, adjusted for inflation, hasn’t moved for about a decade. The MSRP of my previous 2017 GTI S (adjusted for inflation) was within a few hundred bucks of the MSRP of my 2024 GTI S.

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EdgarsRavens@reddit

I just picked up a brand new 2026 GTI S for $36k OTD (with TTL) in a VHCOL area.

The reason the GTI seems more expensive than it actually is, is because every YouTuber and autoblogger reviews the top trim Autobahn with all the features that's pushing $43k MSRP.

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IsometricRain@reddit

Considering the downgraded interior of the mk8, the mk7 GTI was still a better buy back then next to a GTI today.

The GTI today is still a nice hot hatch, but not nearly the home-run that the mk7 was, in my opinion. That was VW at its best.

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stillpiercer_@reddit

Having owned and lived with both, the MK8 is not a downgrade. Contrary to what journalists want you to believe.

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97AllDay@reddit

Yep, bought a brand new SE w/ performance pack in 2015 for like $37k and then a 2025 Autobahn for $40k after discounts last year. Adjusted for inflation the Autobahn was cheaper and it’s an overall better car.

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stillpiercer_@reddit

The value proposition does shift a bit when you go above the base trim, but I agree they’ve gotten a ton better for the money. The S trim has had a huge glow up with the MK8 vs the MK7, there’s quite a bit more standard equipment.

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97AllDay@reddit

Agreed, when compared to my MK7 my MK8 has more power, gets better fuel mileage, and uses 87 octane instead of 91. That’s not even factoring in all of the tech improvements that VW has made.

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stillpiercer_@reddit

I could go on for a while for all of the small things that add up to make my MK8 so much more enjoyable for me personally, but I’ll save it and just say I completely agree with you lol

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Clip_Clippington@reddit

I've jokingly noted that the cheap BMW and Audi leases killed off the demand for sports compacts because for $3K down and $600, you can drive around in luxury that handles decently while also fitting your friends in the back and potentially attracting women.

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LewdDarling@reddit

Well you're calling out the prelude specifically which everyone agrees is overpriced. All the other cars in the sport compact/hot hatch segment start in the mid 30s,

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Gaveltime@reddit

The prelude is an absolute joke and this article is too.

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dattroll123@reddit

the prelude is an overpriced 2 door prius

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india2wallst@reddit

Maybe the base trim Jetta would be a better to compare the Slowlude

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snollygoster1@reddit

Does Honda just love shoving economy focused hybrid drivetrains in cars where no one wants them? They did it 15 years ago with the CR-Z, and now they've done it again.

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Kongary@reddit

I had a gen 5 Prelude back when in no small part because of its engine (and a 5 spd). Consideration of this new one seems to be despite the engine lol. "Engine derating under hard use", bah, keep it.

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Vhozite@reddit

Everything I read about the Prelude makes me think I’d hate driving it (hard) but man I do love the way it looks. I wish there was a dialed up version.

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Elegant_Hippopotamus@reddit

I know

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datums@reddit

The fact that they're comparing it to a four door hatchback makes it clear that they don't understand what this new Prelude is meant to be.

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Successful_Ad_9707@reddit

As much as I don't care for the GTIs auto only and crappy haptic buttons, I'd still take it over a Prelude.

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leguminoussquash@reddit

I love the idea of a fuel-sipping sporty daily like the Prelude, but either the power needs to go up or the price needs to go down. It doesn’t need to be a Type R, it would be very compelling for a little less money and/or 220-240 hp. But as is, the value proposition just isn’t there.

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