Background
After just short of, 3 decades of Alfa Romeo ownership I migrated to Hondas 2Y ago. When I wanted to downsize from my Stelvio, and wasn't sold on Alfa's offering (Jeep/Peugeot/Citroen disguised as an Alfa), and hunted around for an alternative. I almost gave up and decided to keep the Stelvio, until I came across a written review for the Civic . Arranged a test drive & I was really taken with how engaging it was to drive and how well it handled. As good as any of the previous Alfa's I've owned. The switch between pure EV, generator, and direct drive modes is seamless & efficiency is excellent when not at 80mph. Just as important is that it looks good (to me). I am surprised there are do few 11th gen models on the road in the UK.
Prelude
If you have owned/driven a Civic then the Prelude will feel very familiar - same chassis, similar interior (controls), with the wider tracks & type R components feeding into sharper handling than the Civic. In this world of either very bland or downright ugly designs on 4 wheels from the vast majority of manufacturers, the Prelude is a thing of beauty. I picked up the car (in Grey) at the end of March, and have been on a continental road trip and a few UK trips - utter joy to look at, be in, and drive. Brings the same smile to my face as the Alfa's did. I've lost count of the attention it's attracted..... from super car owners at the queue in Le Shuttle terminals, people in car parks, to motorbike & car drivers giving it a thumbs up as the pass by or are passed. Apart from the demo which I drove & a black model which was at the dealer to picked up by another owner I have yet to see any other Preludes on the road.
A few minor irritations which I am listing here in case any other owners have overcome them:
-the 'low fuel' indicator popping up at ~ 28-32 litres of consumption (same as Civic-shame they couldn't have given both cars a 45 litre tank)
-the navigation/infotainment system isn't v good (same as Civic)
-design of the first part of the hatch door at the bottom of the rear windscreen - rainwater collects/doesn't run off and leaves stains
-water dripping into the boot when the hatch is lifted after it rains
-the dynamic speed compensation doesn't work (unlike the Civic) - apparently it only works in Sports & S+ according to the dealer. When i tested it couldn't detect any difference
After just short of, 3 decades of Alfa Romeo ownership I migrated to Hondas 2Y ago. When I wanted to downsize from my Stelvio, and wasn't sold on Alfa's offering (Jeep/Peugeot/Citroen disguised as an Alfa), and hunted around for an alternative. I almost gave up and decided to keep the Stelvio, until I came across a written review for the Civic . Arranged a test drive & I was really taken with how engaging it was to drive and how well it handled. As good as any of the previous Alfa's I've owned. The switch between pure EV, generator, and direct drive modes is seamless & efficiency is excellent when not at 80mph. Just as important is that it looks good (to me). I am surprised there are do few 11th gen models on the road in the UK.
Prelude
If you have owned/driven a Civic then the Prelude will feel very familiar - same chassis, similar interior (controls), with the wider tracks & type R components feeding into sharper handling than the Civic. In this world of either very bland or downright ugly designs on 4 wheels from the vast majority of manufacturers, the Prelude is a thing of beauty. I picked up the car (in Grey) at the end of March, and have been on a continental road trip and a few UK trips - utter joy to look at, be in, and drive. Brings the same smile to my face as the Alfa's did. I've lost count of the attention it's attracted..... from super car owners at the queue in Le Shuttle terminals, people in car parks, to motorbike & car drivers giving it a thumbs up as the pass by or are passed. Apart from the demo which I drove & a black model which was at the dealer to picked up by another owner I have yet to see any other Preludes on the road.
A few minor irritations which I am listing here in case any other owners have overcome them:
-the 'low fuel' indicator popping up at ~ 28-32 litres of consumption (same as Civic-shame they couldn't have given both cars a 45 litre tank)
-the navigation/infotainment system isn't v good (same as Civic)
-design of the first part of the hatch door at the bottom of the rear windscreen - rainwater collects/doesn't run off and leaves stains
-water dripping into the boot when the hatch is lifted after it rains
-the dynamic speed compensation doesn't work (unlike the Civic) - apparently it only works in Sports & S+ according to the dealer. When i tested it couldn't detect any difference
