HONDA'S once popular Prelude fell victim to changing tastes. Originally a hedonistic coupe version of the Accord, it morphed into a technological and styling tour de force, introducing fuel injection, ABS brakes, four-wheel steering, variable-valve timing and double wishbone suspension. But by the time the fifth-generation model arrived in 1997 its core demographic had grown older and developed new priorities - family-orientated, lifestyle-seeking ones that a compact 2+2 just couldn't cut. No wonder CR-V SUV sales soared as Prelude ones soured. And it's too bad, because this version has excellent handling, performance, refinement and comfort qualities...