The Honda Prelude does 24.1 mpg combined (21.9 city, 27.3 highway), which works out to about $1,593 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 44 mpg while 2L 4-cyl does 22 — a difference of $872 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Honda Prelude engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 46 / 41 | 2026–2026 | $873 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 21.8 / 29 | 1984–1987 | $1,567 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 20.4 / 25.9 | 1992–2001 | $1,692 | |
| 2L 4-cyl | 19.5 / 25.3 | 1988–1991 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.133 |
| Fuel per year | $1,593 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,965 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$81 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,803 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 21.9 mpg | $1,753 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.3 mpg | $1,407 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.4 mpg (25%) | Typical for its type |
How the Prelude changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 46 / 41 | 1 | $873 | |
| 2001 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2000 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1999 | 19 / 24 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1998 | 20 / 24 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1996 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1995 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1994 | 21 / 26 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1993 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1992 | 21 / 28 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1991 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1990 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1989 | 20 / 26 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1988 | 20 / 25 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1987 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1986 | 21 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1985 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1984 | 22 / 29 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Honda Prelude get?
24.1 mpg combined on average — 21.9 in the city and 27.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1984–2026.
How much does a Honda Prelude cost in fuel per year?
About $1,593 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,965 over five years, or 0.133 dollars a mile.
Which Prelude engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl Hybrid at 44 mpg, against 22 for the 2L 4-cyl — a difference of about $872 a year.
Is the Prelude good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.