For a company that’s built hybrid vehicles since the late 1990s, Honda has been slow to embrace full electrification in its quest to create eco-friendly cars. The automaker’s first significant initiative to build an EV will be in 2024. It will be in the form of 2024’s Honda Prologue, a Passport-sized crossover that has a distance of 300 miles.
As we’ve previously reported, the Honda shares an Ultium battery and platform with electric GMs similar to the Chevrolet Blazer EV. Still, the company is certain that its distinct suspension design, style, and cabin design will be sufficient to ensure that repeat customers feel comfortable.
That battery will measure 85.0 kilowatt-hours, giving the most efficient versions of the Prologue a manufacturer-estimated range of 300 miles. This crossover EV is available in dual and single-motor versions. While the complete details on the powertrain have yet to be discovered, the all-wheel-drive model will be powered by two88 horsepower and 333 pounds-feet of torque.
Max-Impact Minimalist
Its 2024 Honda Prologue is roughly the same length and width as the Passport and rides on a huge 121.8-inch wheelbase that is almost 1 foot more than the internal combustion SUV. This makes the Prologue an upright stance, with the wheels reaching into the corners while keeping the overhangs neatly clipped.
The exterior appears sleek and polished with a classy, unassuming appearance. A slim headlight, a glossy black grille panel, as well as delicate air curtains on the corners of the bumper, are modern and sleek, while the large wheelbase opens up to a slim and tidy rear with the Honda:e typeface that is displayed on the hatch, instead of the logo badge.
The automaker did not reveal the drag coefficient of the Prologue; however, it did mention that its EX and Touring versions’ 19-inch wheels and the Elite’s 21-inch wheels were optimized to decrease turbulently. The larger alloys are among the largest ever used on an in-series production Honda, which fills the fender arches beautifully.
The Interior of the Prologue will be akin to those who trade with an Accord Hybrid due to its standard Google built-in that will be available with each EV trim level. This 11.0-inch digital gauge cluster and the 11.3-inch infotainment display will offer stunning graphics and performance as if our experiences with the Accord are any indication. The tech will integrate Google Maps, Assistant, and an app store called the Play app store on the central screen.
Honda offers ample storage space in its clean cabin. There is much storage space underneath the centre console, large cup holders sized to hold 32-ounce bottles on the shift selector, and an ample cubby in between the front seats that can hold small bags and tablets. The space in front is good; however, in the rear, taller passengers might have discomfort with the small headroom and the lack of leg support. When the rear seats are up, the Prologue provides 25.2 cubic feet of space for cargo, while folding the seatbacks 60/40 flat produces 57.7 cubic feet. However, these numbers are lower than those of the Hyundai Ioniq5 or the Volkswagen ID.4.
(Zero-Emissions) Power To The People
Its single-motor Prologue will come with front-wheel drive. Although Honda hasn’t announced its power capacity, the company has stated that the powertrain of the base model is likely to have the highest performance and range, particularly when paired with the EX or Touring versions, which have smaller wheels. With 288 horsepower and 333 lb.-ft of torque coming from the all-wheel-drive model, the Prologue is expected to have decent performance, even though there is a dual motor Ioniq 5 boasts more grunt with 320 hp and 446 lb-ft. In comparison, the ID.4 has 330 horsepower and 339 pounds-ft.
If you choose Prologue, the best Prologue model, Honda estimates the 85.0-kWh battery will provide 300 miles of range with the larger wheels and all-wheel drive could reduce that figure to about 250. After the storm has run out, owners can recharge it with an at-home charging station that can provide 11.5 Kilowatts, which gives the Prologue an estimated 0-100 per cent time of fewer than 8 hours. The Prologue also comes with a 7.6-kW charger for portable use is available.
People who need to rush can also benefit from the charge rate of 155 kW. This isn’t very pleasant, considering the ID.4 can reach 170 kW while Ioniq 5 can get 170 kW. Ioniq 5 can accept 220 kW. In addition, the Blazer electric vehicle and the Cadillac Lyriq can recharge at 195 kW, which means GM may reserve the most powerful Ultium technology for itself. If you use DC rapid charging technology, the Prologue can provide an additional 65 miles to its range within ten minutes.
Honda will offer three charging options to Prologue owners. The one is an 11.5-kW at-home charger that comes with a $500 installation incentive and a charging credit of $100. The second one is a 7.6-kW mobile charger, an installation incentive of $250 and a $300 credit for charging publically. Those who do not need a home charger can choose the charging credit of $750 instead. In addition, Honda and six other automakers are part of an alliance aiming to construct 135 chargers with high power all over the nation in 2030. The first of which will go in the first quarter of next year.
The First Of Many
Honda plans to achieve zero emissions vehicle sales of 100 per cent by 2040. This Prologue is just the beginning. In 2025, Honda will launch another EV built on its specific brand, “e: Architecture” platform, and could be constructed at the newly-built EV Hub facility in Marysville, Ohio.
In the coming months, the first vehicle to be introduced in the EV assault is the sleek and elegantly designed Prologue, which has a starting price of the high $40,000 price range that puts it in the middle of the fee of $45,290 for the Volkswagen ID.4 Pro and the $46,835 Hyundai Ioniq 5 Long Range. At that cost, the Prologue owner will receive the Honda standard Sensing with adaptive cruise control, including stop-and-gostop-and-go, lane, centring and blind spot monitoring. Lane departure prevention and low-speed cross-traffic monitors. Other options include:
- A Google Built-In suite.
- Heated seats in the front.
- Wireless charging for devices.
The interior space is crowded, and the poor charge speed could prevent the Prologue from competing with the spacious Ioniq and ID.4; however, its typically excellent Honda ergonomics could win some VW trade-ins. The Prologue’s EV credentials are much better than Toyota’s phoney (albeit less expensive) Toyota bZ4X. However, the initial Honda specifications are middle-of-the-road but not class-leading.
The Prologue’s debut has us most eager for the 2025 electric vehicle; however, Honda claims it will be a mid-to-large vehicle. With the company’s record of superior manufacturing and packaging and its modern design for the first long-range electric vehicle from Honda, this new model is a serious possibility. In the meantime, the Prologue will be the mainstay and finally give Honda an excellent emission-free crossover option.