2024 Honda Prologue Puts the Brand Back in the EV Game

• The 2024 Honda Prologue debuts because the model’s second EV for america, and the mid-size SUV will begin between $45K and $50K.
• With an estimated vary of as much as 300 miles, the Prologue presents front- or all-wheel-drive powertrains; the latter produces 288 horses and 333 pound-feet of torque.
• Primarily based on GM’s Ultium platform, the Prologue’s good-looking exterior and good inside are courtesy of Honda’s Los Angeles-based designers.

Who remembers the Honda Readability EV? Most individuals most likely do not. The funky-looking sedan was the model’s most up-to-date try at promoting an electrical automobile in america, but it surely was finally doomed by a measly 89-mile vary estimate, to not point out it was solely obtainable for lease and solely in California and Oregon. Now, with the assistance of GM’s scalable Ultium battery platform, Honda will get again into the American EV recreation with the 2024 Prologue.

Prologue Preview

Spanning 192 inches lengthy, the Prologue is simply over seven inches longer than the compact Honda CR-V and about three inches longer than the mid-size Honda Passport. The electrical SUV additionally has a prolonged 121.8-inch wheelbase (the identical because the lately revealed Acura ZDX), which helps present ample passenger house. For the reason that Prologue is wider than it’s tall (64.7 inches), it provides off station-wagon vibes à la the now-defunct Ford Flex.

Honda’s Los Angeles design workforce penned the Prologue’s design, which options easy exterior surfaces and brief overhangs. Whereas its minimalist look is apparent in contrast with something new carrying a Kia or Hyundai badge, we expect it seems to be good-looking. A set of 21-inch wheels on the top-of-the-line mannequin complement its proportions.

The Prologue’s inside additionally seems to be engaging, with its easy format and restrained mixture of supplies. Together with preserving bodily buttons and knobs on the sprint, we applaud the column-mounted shifter and versatile middle console, which has big cupholders that settle for 32-ounce containers in addition to oodles of cubby house between the higher and decrease ranges.

We had the possibility to take a seat within the Prologue, and we are able to report that there is numerous legroom in each rows. Nonetheless, taller rear-seat passengers must take care of restricted headroom, particularly on fashions with the panoramic sunroof. The again seats do barely recline, and behind them there’s 25 cubic toes of house. Dropping the seatbacks expands that house to 58 cubes. Beneath the cargo ground is an extra dice of storage. Sadly, because of the packaging of the entrance electrical motor, there isn’t any frunk.

Prologue Battery and Powertrains

The Prologue comes with both a single-motor front-wheel-drive setup or a dual-motor all-wheel-drive configuration. The latter generates an estimated 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. Honda hasn’t launched energy output for the one electrical motor, however judging by its platform mate—the front-drive Chevy Equinox EV—we expect the Prologue will produce someplace round 210 horses and 243 pound-feet. Whatever the powertrain, acceleration and deceleration is expressed with simulated sounds, but it surely stays to be seen whether or not they make the driving expertise higher or worse.

With an 85.0-kWh battery pack, Honda estimates the front-drive Prologue may have a most driving vary of 300 miles. Whereas there isn’t any estimate for the all-wheel-drive fashions, we expect it’s going to be just like the Equinox EV, which has a 280-mile estimate.

With a 155-kW max charging price when related to a DC fast-charger, the Prologue’s battery is predicted so as to add 65 miles of vary in 10 minutes. Clients may choose from one among three totally different charging packages. They embrace an 11.5-kW residence charger or a 7.6-kW moveable charging package (each with a $100 public charging credit score and a $500 set up incentive). A $750 public charging credit score is the third choice.

Prologue Options and Pricing

The Prologue is available in three trim ranges: EX, Touring, and Elite. Even the bottom mannequin is well-equipped, because it comes commonplace with heated entrance seats, a power-operated driver’s seat with lumbar changes, dual-zone local weather management, and a wi-fi smartphone charger. Stepping as much as the Touring swaps fabric upholstery for leather-based and provides reminiscence seat settings, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system. The Elite contains perforated leather-based in additional colours, a heated steering wheel, ventilated entrance seats, and a head-up show.

An 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and a horizontal 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system are commonplace on all fashions. The latter options Google software program, together with myriad apps, in addition to wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Along with all that tech, each Prologue has a number of driver assists, which embrace blind-spot steering help, and rear cross-traffic braking, and rear pedestrian detection.

Honda hasn’t but launched full pricing for the 2024 Prologue, however the EX is predicted to begin someplace between $45,000 and $50,000. We might wager the top-tier Elite will tack on one other $10K or so. The EV SUV shall be obtainable to order earlier than the top of the yr, with deliveries set to begin early in 2024.

Senior Editor

Eric Stafford’s car habit started earlier than he may stroll, and it has fueled his ardour to jot down information, opinions, and extra for Automobile and Driver since 2016. His aspiration rising up was to turn out to be a millionaire with a Jay Leno–like automobile assortment. Apparently, getting wealthy is more durable than social-media influencers make it appear, so he prevented monetary success solely to turn out to be an automotive journalist and drive new vehicles for a dwelling. After incomes a journalism diploma at Central Michigan College and dealing at a each day newspaper, the years of principally burning cash on failed venture vehicles and lemon-flavored jalopies lastly paid off when Automobile and Driver employed him. His storage at the moment features a 2010 Acura RDX, a guide ’97 Chevy Camaro Z/28, and a ’90 Honda CRX Si.