2024 Honda Prologue - Mid-size Electric SUV Market

The 2024 Honda Prologue marks Honda's significant entry into the mid-size electric SUV market, developed in a joint venture with General Motors (GM) and utilizing GM's Ultium battery and platform. As Honda's first volume EV, it aims to blend Honda's reputation for practicality and comfort with modern electric performance. Initial reviews suggest a comfortable, practical EV, but one that falls short of the engaging driving experience and premium feel often associated with its price point and competitors.

Design and Interior

The Prologue adopts a "neo-rugged" exterior design, which reviewers generally find inoffensive and good-looking, blending aerodynamic curves with a more traditional grille than many EVs. It offers ample space, being larger than the CR-V with an eight-inch longer wheelbase, making the cabin roomy for five passengers. Cargo space is competitive, offering up to $25.2$ cubic feet behind the second row and $57.7$ cubic feet maximum (slightly less in Touring and Elite trims). However, one notable omission is a front trunk ("frunk"), which many rivals offer.

The interior is a point of contention. While featuring a simple, clean design, many reviewers feel it is a "little less Honda than normal," noting that it shares many components, materials, and switchgear with its GM counterpart, the Chevrolet Blazer EV. The quality of materials, particularly the presence of hard and glossy plastics, is frequently criticized as feeling cheap or substandard for a Honda and a vehicle in this price range. Conversely, the seats (especially the leather, heated, and ventilated front seats in the Elite trim) are widely praised for their comfort.

Technology is straightforward, with an $11.0$ -inch digital driver display and an $11.3$ -inch center touchscreen. The infotainment system, which includes Google Built-In, is described as intuitive, offering features like route planning around available chargers and battery preconditioning. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are included across all trims.

Performance, Range, and Charging

The Prologue is offered in both single-motor front-wheel drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, both utilizing an $85.0$ -kWh battery pack.

Performance is considered adequate but not impressive. The dual-motor AWD version is quick enough for daily driving and merging, but it lacks the aggressive punch of segment leaders. Reviewers consistently note the driving dynamics prioritize comfort over performance, resulting in a ride that is smooth and stable but ultimately mundane and not as engaging as traditional Hondas.

The EPA-estimated range is competitive but not class-leading. Real-world testing has sometimes shown the range to be less than the official estimates, particularly with heavy use of the heater. Charging is a strength, with a solid DC fast-charging rate of up to $155$ kW, allowing for a $20%$ to $80%$ charge in approximately $35$ minutes and adding about $62$ to $65$ miles of range in $10$ minutes.

Pricing and Trim Levels

The Prologue comes in three primary trim levels: EX, Touring, and Elite, with FWD and AWD options available on the EX and Touring trims.

Competition and Verdict

The Prologue faces stiff competition, particularly from its platform-mate, the Chevrolet Blazer EV, as well as the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, and Tesla Model Y.

Compared to Chevrolet Blazer EV: The Blazer EV often beats the Prologue on maximum range, horsepower in higher trims (like the Blazer EV SS), and potentially a lower starting price. Both share the same Ultium platform, but the Blazer EV offers GM's Super Cruise hands-free driving system, which the Prologue lacks.
Compared to Hyundai IONIQ 5 / Kia EV6: Rivals like the IONIQ 5 and EV6 offer faster charging speeds (up to $235$ kW for $10 - 80%$ in $\approx 18$ minutes, depending on conditions) and a more distinctive, sometimes sportier driving experience.

Verdict: The 2024 Honda Prologue is a competent, comfortable, and practical electric SUV that will appeal to existing Honda owners looking to transition to electric power without a radical departure from the familiar. Its strengths lie in its smooth ride, comfortable interior, spaciousness, and user-friendly technology. However, its perceived shortcomings in interior material quality, a "boring" driving experience, and slightly less competitive range/performance figures compared to key rivals mean it enters a highly competitive segment without a definitive standout feature beyond the Honda badge. It's a solid EV, but perhaps "not a good Honda" in terms of the brand's traditional dynamic engagement.