Honda's Prelude Revival Gets It Right, While Acura's RSX Plan Missed the Mark

In an era where automakers are digging up old nameplates for nostalgia's sake, the return of the Honda Prelude stands out as a respectful revival, while Acura's now-canceled RSX plan took a wrong turn. The new Prelude, back after a 25-year break, keeps the two-door coupe body and a focus on driving dynamics that made the original special.

0-liter four-cylinder making 200 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque. A notable feature is the 'S+ Shift' mode, which simulates an eight-speed automatic via paddle shifters with artificial rev-matching. However, there's no manual transmission option, which some enthusiasts may miss.

Meanwhile, Acura had teased an all-electric crossover SUV wearing the RSX badge, but those plans vanished shortly after the announcement. The original RSX was a small, lightweight front-wheel-drive sports coupe based on the Civic, known for its rev-happy K-Series engine and affordability.

The proposed electric version was to sit on Honda's new Zero EV platform, with an expected price around $40,000 and a projected 0-60 mph time of about four seconds. It was canceled 15 months after its debut due to lukewarm reception and slowing EV sales. Critics saw the move as a marketing ploy rather than a true homage, as it ignored the qualities that made the RSX popular.

In contrast, the Prelude's revival is seen as a benchmark for how to bring back a nameplate respectfully. It retains a coupe body, a four-cylinder engine, and a handling-focused chassis, even if it adds hybrid tech and simulated shifting. The article also points to the Jeep Cherokee as a middle-ground example: it remains an SUV and still fits in Jeep's lineup, though it's now a crossover with a hybridized four-cylinder instead of the old straight-six.

The key lesson, as noted, is that automakers can't just slap a once-popular performance badge on any vehicle and expect it to resonate. Honda understood that with the Prelude, but Acura's RSX effort fell short.