The 2024 Honda Prologue is making waves as Honda’s first all-electric SUV. Beneath the iconic H badge, however, lies a fascinating story. This vehicle is actually built upon General Motors’ Ultium platform, a fact that positions it uniquely in the EV market. Surprisingly, the Prologue has even outsold the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Equinox EV in early 2024, proving to be a sales success for Honda and even surpassing its gasoline-powered sibling, the Honda Passport, in US sales last year.
But relying on external engineering always brings questions. Can a vehicle built on another automaker’s platform truly meet Honda’s renowned standards? Could this partnership impact Honda’s reputation if the Prologue doesn’t live up to expectations? The crucial question is: has General Motors provided a solid foundation to attract and satisfy loyal Honda customers in the electric SUV segment? Let’s delve into a comprehensive review to find out.
Image showing a promotional banner or video frame, likely related to the Honda Prologue.
Honda Prologue: The Fundamentals
Before we dive deeper, let’s lay out the essential specifications of the 2024 Honda Prologue:
Battery Pack: 85 kWh net capacity lithium-ion battery
Drivetrain: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD)
Power Output: 288 horsepower, 333 lb-ft of torque
EPA-Estimated Range: 273 miles (439 km)
DC Fast Charging Peak: 155 kW
Vehicle Class: Midsize five-door crossover SUV
Starting MSRP: $48,850 (including destination charges)
Price as Tested (Elite Trim): $59,805 (including destination charges)
The Genesis of the Honda Prologue: Why This Electric SUV?
2024 Honda Prologue
The Honda Prologue’s existence is rooted in Honda’s urgent need to enter the North American EV market. Facing increasing demand for electric vehicles and stricter emissions regulations, Honda needed a swift solution. General Motors, with its Ultium EV platform already in place, provided that opportunity. Think of it as Honda ordering a pre-built EV “kit” from GM, then applying its own unique styling and branding.
This isn’t the first collaboration between Honda and GM. Historically, the original Saturn Vue utilized a Honda J-Series V6 engine, and early Honda Passports were rebadged Isuzu Rodeos during the Isuzu-GM partnership. However, the Prologue marks a significant milestone as the first Honda vehicle to utilize core GM mechanical components, making it a particularly intriguing vehicle to examine.
First Impressions: The Exterior Design of the Honda Prologue
2024 Honda Prologue
Approaching the Honda Prologue, the exterior design immediately stands out. Honda’s design team has successfully created a distinct visual identity that sets it apart from its GM platform siblings, the Chevrolet Blazer EV and Chevrolet Equinox EV. It confidently forges its own path with a clean and refined aesthetic. From the straightforward front fascia to the conventional door handles and the subtle use of sharp lines along the sides, the Prologue exudes a sense of understated elegance. In an era of increasingly complex and often polarizing automotive styling, the Prologue’s tasteful and restrained design is a breath of fresh air. Some might even find it bordering on boring, but many will appreciate its sophisticated simplicity.
The Prologue is also surprisingly substantial in size. It’s notably larger than competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E, exceeding it by 5.4 inches in length and a significant 4.2 inches in width. However, the top-tier trim’s 21-inch alloy wheels are well-proportioned, filling the wheel arches effectively and contributing to a balanced and commanding stance. The overall proportions give the impression of a well-planted and substantial electric SUV.
Driving Dynamics: How Does the Honda Prologue Perform on the Road?
2024 Honda Prologue
In its dual-motor, all-wheel-drive configuration, the Honda Prologue delivers a respectable 333 lb-ft of torque, providing ample power for confident acceleration. One of the celebrated aspects of electric vehicles is instant torque, but it can sometimes be overwhelming for passengers. Honda has addressed this by calibrating the throttle response in standard driving mode to be smooth and progressive, ensuring controlled acceleration that minimizes motion sickness. Switching to Sport mode unleashes the full torque for more spirited driving when desired.
The Prologue also impresses with its near-luxury levels of cabin quietness. Wind noise and tire hum are effectively suppressed, contributing to a serene driving experience, especially on highways. While the steering feel might not be overtly communicative, it offers excellent on-center stability, making long freeway drives less tiring and more relaxing.
2024 Honda Prologue
Real-world range testing yielded results below the EPA estimate, which is partially attributed to the unseasonably cold temperatures during the test week. Cold weather is known to impact EV battery performance, so definitive conclusions on range require further testing in more moderate conditions.
However, ride quality is a notable point of contention. The suspension tuning of the Prologue leans towards the firm side. It transmits road imperfections into the cabin more than expected in a vehicle of this class. Every crack and minor undulation in the road surface is noticeable, resulting in a ride that could be described as “busy.”
Check out those six-lug hubs
Despite the firm ride, which often suggests sporty handling and controlled body roll, the Prologue exhibits noticeable vertical motion over larger bumps and expansion joints. The 5,207-pound curb weight of the all-wheel-drive Prologue Elite seems to challenge the suspension’s ability to maintain composure over uneven surfaces. Additionally, the steering exhibits a slight reluctance to self-center quickly after low-speed turns, possibly due to the wide 275-section tires. On a positive note, the braking system feels well-calibrated, with a seamless blend of regenerative and friction braking, resulting in consistent and predictable pedal feel. However, it’s important to remember that physics dictates stopping distances for a vehicle of this weight.
Visibility is another area where the Honda Prologue presents challenges. The rear window offers a narrow field of view, reminiscent of a Jaguar F-Type convertible with the top raised. The high dashboard and blunt front end contribute to forward blind spots, particularly for shorter drivers, and the thick A-pillars further restrict outward vision. Combined with the sensation of its substantial weight, the Prologue can feel larger and less maneuverable than its midsize crossover classification might suggest, which could be a drawback for drivers seeking an easy-to-drive EV. While a compact car feeling larger can be a sign of refinement, a midsize SUV feeling even bigger can detract from the driving experience.
Interior Design and Quality: Stepping Inside the Honda Prologue
2024 Honda Prologue
The pleasing exterior design of the Honda Prologue flows seamlessly into the interior. The Honda-designed dashboard presents a clean and uncluttered aesthetic with a low upper edge, contributing to an open and airy feel in the cabin. The placement of the central air vents is optimized for both driver and front passenger comfort. Honda has also integrated GM’s switchgear more effectively, incorporating more physical buttons and controls compared to the Chevrolet Blazer EV, particularly for the climate control system, reducing reliance on the touchscreen interface.
However, the interior is not without its shortcomings, starting with the driving position. The wide, flat seats, combined with limited rake adjustment in the steering column and a dead pedal positioned somewhat far from the driver, create a driving posture where some controls feel slightly out of reach. Despite the Prologue’s larger exterior dimensions compared to EVs like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Hyundai Ioniq 5, the interior space doesn’t fully reflect this increase in size. Rear hip room is only marginally greater than the Mustang Mach-E and Ioniq 5, and while rear legroom matches the Ioniq 5, front legroom is actually less. This raises questions about the efficient utilization of the Prologue’s exterior footprint.
2024 Honda Prologue
The most significant concern within the interior is the perceived quality of materials. The steering column stalks feel flimsy and insubstantial, and certain plastic trim pieces have a distinctly GM-grade rather than Honda-grade feel. The center console, constructed from hard, scratchy plastic reminiscent of older GM vehicles, and the overall budget-oriented feel of the second row are particularly disappointing. While cost-cutting in the rear of a vehicle is not uncommon, the Prologue’s second row feels particularly low-rent for its price point. This would be more acceptable in a budget-friendly EV, but the Prologue occupies a higher price bracket. Adding to these concerns were fit-and-finish issues observed in the test vehicle, such as visible glue on the headliner, misaligned console panels, and mechanical noises like axle clicks during turning acceleration and repeated tire pressure monitoring system malfunctions, all contributing to an impression of less-than-stellar build quality.
Technology and Features: Examining the Electronic Gadgets of the Honda Prologue
2024 Honda Prologue
As a fully-equipped electric crossover, the Prologue Elite trim comes loaded with technology, but the execution of some features raises questions. The inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a welcome advantage over many GM EVs, but experiencing frequent CarPlay dropouts was a significant frustration. Furthermore, some design choices regarding driver-facing technology are puzzling. Relocating the headlight switch to the infotainment system is unconventional and less intuitive. The vehicle status screen within the infotainment system offers limited functionality, primarily displaying charging information, energy consumption data, and tire pressures, lacking more comprehensive vehicle health or diagnostic information.
The digital instrument cluster provides multiple display layouts, but each seems to omit crucial information. Notably, displaying the precise battery state-of-charge percentage is only possible when the vehicle is switched off. The battery gauge within the cluster is marked in coarse 50% increments, offering limited precision. While relying on the “guess-o-meter” range estimate is an option, the absence of a clear, precise battery percentage display is an unusual omission in a modern EV.
Bose speaker grille
The top-tier Elite trim does include expected premium features such as a head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, a 360-degree camera system, a hands-free power liftgate, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the Bose system delivers a rather unremarkable audio experience, performing adequately without standing out in any particular aspect. Overall, the technology integration feels somewhat conventional and lacks a distinctive or innovative edge.
Key Takeaways: Three Things to Know About the 2024 Honda Prologue
- GM Foundation: The Honda Prologue is fundamentally built by General Motors, utilizing their Ultium platform and components.
- GM Influence Evident: The GM origins are noticeable in various aspects of the Prologue, from material choices to certain technological implementations.
- Battery Percentage Mystery: Accessing a precise battery state-of-charge reading is surprisingly difficult while the vehicle is powered on.
Does the Honda Prologue Achieve Its Mission?
Rear three quarter
The answer to whether the Honda Prologue fulfills its intended purpose depends on how that purpose is defined. Does it serve as a necessary step for Honda to meet electric vehicle mandates and transition towards its own in-house EV development? Yes, it likely does. Does it significantly elevate the electric crossover segment or set a new benchmark? Probably not. Competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ford Mustang Mach-E present themselves as more cohesive and refined products overall. Reports of early ownership issues further detract from the typical Honda ownership experience.
A slightly unsettled ride and a less-than-premium interior might be forgivable if the Honda Prologue was priced competitively. However, it isn’t. The tested Prologue Elite trim carried a significantly higher price tag than a comparable Ford Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD with extended range battery and panoramic roof. Similarly, a comparably priced Hyundai Ioniq 5 Limited AWD offers faster charging, a more extensive feature set, a more striking design, and a more upscale interior ambiance. At its full retail price, the Honda Prologue struggles to present a compelling value proposition, and with Honda’s focus shifting to launching its own dedicated EVs in the near future, questions linger about the long-term evolution and improvements planned for the Prologue.
The Verdict: Is the 2024 Honda Prologue Worth Considering?
Unless you can secure an exceptionally favorable lease deal, the 2024 Honda Prologue might be an electric SUV to pass on for now.
All images by Thomas Hundal
