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CHATHAM, Mass. – Introduced earlier this year, the 2024 Honda Prologue quickly asserted its position as a strong member of not just the EV segment of the mid-size SUV world but a worthy competitor to those versions propelled by internal combustion or hybrid powertrains.
Designed in conjunction with General Motors, the Prologue and its 85kWh battery is produced in the U.S. which means it is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax credit.
Our recent time in the top-of-the-range 2024 Honda Prologue Elite came during less-than ideal EV weather (temperatures never climbing above 36 degrees), but range, according to the onboard computer, remained at 275 miles on a full charge, the company predicted amount.
Comfortable, roomy, filled with technology and amenities, the Honda Prologue Elite was an excellent two-row sport-utility vehicle, one I could live with on a daily basis.
Dual-motor powertrain
A pair of motors – one front, one in the rear – produce 288 horsepower and 333 pounds-feet of torque which is enough to propel the 5,273-pound, 192-inch-long SUV from 0 to 60 miles per hour in (according to Car and Driver) 5.9 seconds.
This power is courtesy of the 85kWh Ultium battery technology with fast charging capability. Utilizing a Level 3 charger, the Prologue can gain 65 miles of range with 10 minutes of charging; give it 35 minutes, and the Prologue’s battery can go from 20 to 90 percent of charge.
And Honda provides Prologue buyers with a variety of charger options. Included within the Prologue’s price are three charging options:
- A Level 2 home charger, $500 installation credit and $100 in public-charging credits, or
- A Level 1/2 portable charger, $200 installation credit, and $300 in public-charging credits, or
- $750 public-charging credits
As for the public-charging networks, Prologue owners have access to the new IONNA network which is a consortium of six auto manufacturers putting together a network of the nation’s leading public chargers. In addition, the Tesla network is available to Prologue owners with the suitable adapter.
My time in the Prologue was worry free thanks to the ability to plug into my Autel MaxiCharger AC Wallbox Home unit every night. I began each day of the review period with a fully charged battery and an indicated 275 miles of range.
The range reflected a 3.2kWh-per-mile operating efficiency, a figure borne out during my daily operation. Sustained highway driving dropped the number to roughly 2.4kWh per mile.
Overall, combine the ability to install a home charger and/or the extent of the available public charging network and range anxiety should not be an issue for Prologue buyers.
Sporty platform
Roughly the same size as the Honda Pilot, the company’s other two-row, ICE, SUV, the Prologue drove like a smaller, more agile machine. Some of this was due to the lower, sleeker appearance, as well as the smooth, quiet ride which is an EV characteristic.
The platform providing the ride and smooth, sure-footed handling consists of independent multi-link suspension setup front and rear; 35.7×5.4mm tubular stabilizer bar up front and 19mm solid one in the rear, and belt-driven electric steering system featuring 3.5 turns lock-to-lock.
The friction brake system includes 12.6-inch vented rotors up front and 13.6 solid ones in the rear.
Like virtually all electrified vehicles, the Honda Prologue features regenerative braking which turns the drive motors into vehicle-motion-retarding generators. In this mode, slowing the vehicle returns energy to the battery, increasing range.
The driver can control the regen system – turning it off/on as well as engaging one-pedal driving. In one-pedal mode, the vehicle can be slowed and brought to a complete stop simply by releasing pressure on the accelerator pedal. I found the one-pedal system in the Prologue one of the simplest to learn and become acclimated to with comfort in using it coming within just a few miles of operation.
The alloy wheels are 21×9.5 inches wearing 275/45R21 107H all-season, self-sealing tires.
Honda Sensing ADAS
Honda labels its advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) Honda Sensing and the Prologue has a very comprehensive suite. These systems include forward-collision alert; automatic-emergency braking (AEB); front-pedestrian braking; lane-keep assist; adaptive cruise control; side blind-zone alert; lane-change alert; rear cross-traffic braking; blind-zone-steering assist; traffic-sign recognition; reverse automatic braking; front & rear park assist; rear pedestrian alert, and surround-vision system.
An interior of modern touches
Honda does not call the Prologue a premium vehicle, but its equipment level, especially in the Elite version, fits this description.
Leather covers the seating surfaces and the steering wheel, which like the driver and front passenger’s, is heated (the seats are also ventilated and power adjustable). Two-zone automatic climate control, operated by very intuitive, dash-mounted buttons (no screens to wrestle with when a temperature adjustment is necessary) takes care of the cabin’s environment.
Speaking of screens, there are two color digital ones in the Prologue Elite. The customizable digital instrument cluster one is 11 inches while an 11.3-inch touchscreen one sits prominently at the top of the dash controlling the infotainment system with standard navigation.
The infotainment system has a Google operating system behind it and features streaming Bluetooth audio; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; SiriusXM satellite radio; WiFi hotspot, and 12-speaker Bose Premium Audio System.
USB-C outlets front and rear, a 12-vold outlet, a 110-volt outlet and wireless mobile-device charging are also part of the system.
Also, part of the overall package is a panoramic moonroof and very clear head up display.
A competitive EV SUV
The new Honda Prologue family jumped into the two-row, mid-size EV SUV world at a very competitive position.
The base, single-motor front-wheel-drive EX model carries a $47,400 base price, while the top of the five-trim-range Elite AWD is $57,900. The review unit had the optional ($455) Scarlet Red paint and the $1,395 destination & handling charge for an as-reviewed total of $59,750.
And then there is the $7,500 federal tax credits (as well as potential state-level ones) which lowers the effective price substantially.
The Honda Prologue represents excellent EV SUV value as well as being a very comfortable and capable vehicle; definitely worth considering.
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