All-New, All-Electrical Midsize SUV
The all-new 2024 Honda Prologue must be a cushty transition for loyal Honda house owners going from gasoline to their first all-electric automobile. One of many key components for this loyalty is Honda’s reliability, which the Prologue ought to have despite the fact that it’s a new mannequin.
Co-developed with Normal Motors, the Prologue rides on the Ultium EV platform that can be shared with a quartet of SUVs—the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer, Equinox EV and Acura ZDX. The mixed miles pushed by these electrical autos on the identical platform has been the real-world testing floor for the Prologue that makes use of basically the identical motors, battery and suspension. Thus far there have been no remembers for any of those fashions for Honda house owners to boost an eyebrow. [Ed. note: Writer’s jinx. Cadillac Lyriq sent out a recall notice for an ABS software issue for a small portion of its vehicles after this was written. The issue was cleared up with an over-the-air update.]
The variations are what Honda did with the outside design, the inside supplies and options, software program and tuning the suspension.
Energy and Vary
The 2024 Honda Prologue is available in 5 trims.
- EX – Single Motor. Entrance Wheel Drive (FWD)
- 212 horsepower (hp)
- 236 pound-feet (lb.ft.) torque
- 296 All-Electrical Vary (AER)
- EX – Twin Motor. All-Wheel Drive (AWD)
- 288 hp
- 333 lb.-ft. torque
- 281 AER
- Touring – Single Motor. FWD
- 212 hp
- 236 lb.-ft. torque
- 296 AER
- Touring – Twin Motor. AWD
- 288 hp
- 333 lb.-ft. torque
- 281 AER
- Elite – Twin Motor. AWD
- 288 hp
- 333 lb.-ft. torque
- 273 AER
These energy and vary choices embrace a distinction of 15-23 miles of vary. Is that this a cause to sacrifice extra horsepower and torque? Learn on, and possibly the value record beneath will assist in your choice.
Behind the Wheel
Clear Fleet Report spent about 10 days within the Prologue Elite AWD. We anticipate the distinction in dealing with between the FWD and AWD Prologue to be refined, with a bit extra traction in sloppy climate with the AWD. Both approach, the Prologue will make for a superb, however not sporty, dealing with SUV.
There are two driver-selectable drive modes—Commonplace and Sport—which sums-up how Honda is positioning the Prologue. They need customers to see it as a reliable, comfy, roomy two-row, five-passenger SUV that may go practically 300 miles on a single cost.
The efficiency of our Elite, with 288 hp, was greater than satisfactory with 0-60 instances within the excessive 5-second vary, which is completely peppy for merging onto freeways and passing huge rigs. We anticipate even the single-motor fashions the 212 hp will transfer alongside the Prologue simply superb.
In 212 miles of driving by way of Southern California we averaged a really respectable 3.3 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electrical energy, which included a majority of freeway driving. We did see 4.0 miles/kWh when driving in-town the place an EV is its best. Right here is how the EPA charges the Prologue.
The all-wheel drive Prologue Elite AWD, weighing-in at 5,273 kilos, is planted solidly to the bottom, with the batteries positioned beneath the ground delivering a low heart of gravity and a 50:50 weight distribution. Getting the burden low to the bottom is fascinating to engineers designing race automobiles and avenue automobiles.
Behind the Wheel
As with all EVs, acceleration is clean, on the spot and linear. At low speeds there’s a nice sci-fi whirring sound to alert pedestrians an EV is approaching.
The regenerative braking has three choices—Regular, Excessive and Off—to set the pressure for One Pedal Driving. We at all times set our regen on the most aggressive degree so when slowing or coasting it didn’t require making use of the brake pedal in most conditions. Whether or not round city driving or on mountain curves, one pedal driving is probably the most handy and enjoyable solution to drive the Prologue. There may be additionally a really small paddle on the again aspect of the steering wheel to modulate the slowing—along with feathering the accelerator pedal.
The 275/45 Bridgestone Alenza Enliten all-season tires gripped nicely, however the self-sealing run-flats on massive 21-inch wheels transmitted highway noise into the cabin. We count on the bottom 255/60 all-season tires on 19-inch wheels could be quieter.
The electrical energy steering made for sharp and exact turning and strong braking with ABS, assisted ventilated entrance and rear strong discs aided by digital stability management, digital brake-pressure distribution and brake help. One suggestion on the subsequent technology Prologue is to have the parking brake set itself routinely when placing the transmission into Park.
Welcoming Inside
The 2-tone grey and brown inside has tasteful touches of brushed aluminum and piano black. Smooth contact supplies on the sprint, doorways, and the middle console, which has a helpful decrease storage space. Leather-based is discovered on the seats and the multifunction adjustable steering wheel.
The flat ground offers ample leg, shoulder and head room for 5 occupants. Six footers are simply accommodated within the entrance seats, however the sloping roofline may have some taller passengers scraping the ceiling within the rear.
The motive force will get an influence 10-way adjustable heated and ventilated seat with two reminiscence settings, and the passenger will get a 6-way adjustable heated and ventilated seat. The seats have been comfy with good thigh and decrease again assist (the motive force will get energy lumbar), making for no fatigue after sitting for a number of hours. Visibility was excellent, save for the rear window wiper that was at all times within the line-of-sight when trying within the auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Huge second row entry led to the comfy 60:40 cut up rear seat that, when up has 23.7 cubic-feet of cargo area that grows to 54.5 cubic-feet when folded nearly-flat. There is no such thing as a entrance trunk (frunk), for stashing small gadgets.
The low profile sprint has an adjustable 11-inch digital instrument show, and an 11.3-inch horizontal coloration contact display screen show that erupts from the sprint. The 12-speaker Bose audio system is managed by way of the contact display screen for AM/FM HD radio, SiriusXM and wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The thick grip, leather-covered, heated steering wheel controls are useful and handy for the adaptive cruise management, radio quantity and channels, to activate voice recognition and plenty of extra gadgets.
Google folks might be proper at dwelling with the Google Constructed-in that features maps, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and the power to obtain apps corresponding to Spotify. However Apple followers aren’t neglected as Apple Maps could be projected on the display screen if Google Maps isn’t your factor.
There may be Bluetooth for streaming audio and wi-fi cellphone charging to finish the inside know-how. The entrance occupants get a 12V energy outlet and USB-C ports entrance and rear. The HondaLink app connects your cellphone and the Prologue with a number of handy options, corresponding to a stolen automobile locator, distant begin and cease and distant door lock/unlock.
The panoramic energy slide and tilt moonroof and the hands-free energy elevate tailgate are customary on the Prologue Elite trim we examined. Options customary on all trims are one-touch automated up and down energy home windows, illuminated solar visors, twin zone local weather management with air con air filtration, push button begin/cease and map lights.
A New Look
The Prologue is longer and wider, however not as tall because the sibling Passport SUV. It additionally seems like no different Honda SUV, which might be what Honda was going for. Auto producers are having a naming and design problem differentiating their gasoline and electricity-powered autos of their line-ups, making the outside design a key step on this course of.
Designed at Honda’s Superior Design Heart in Los Angeles, the Prologue has what Honda calls a “neo-rugged” styling that’s easy and clear. The LED headlights sweep onto the fenders, resulting in clean sides, a protracted hood, a sweeping roof and LED tail lights on the elevate gate.
The Prologue is low, broad and smooth and has been designed to maximise aerodynamics to realize the best all-electric driving vary. Even the stylized typeface spelling-out H-O-N-D-A on the elevate gate, has been revised and a brand new “e: sequence” badging has been launched.
The 2024 Honda Prologue is obtainable in eight colours: North Shore Pearl, Pacific Blue Metallic, Raven Black, Scarlet Pink Metallic, Snowfall Pearl, Sonic Grey Pearl and Mercury Silver Metallic which adorned Clear Fleet Report’s Prologue Elite.
Security
The Prologue comes with Honda Sensing, providing an intensive record of ordinary and non-obligatory security options starting with entrance, aspect impression, aspect knee and aspect air curtain airbags. The Advance Driver Help Techniques (ADAS), contains lane retaining help, blind spot, ahead collision, and rear cross-traffic alert and braking. Different security options are hill begin help, encompass and blind view monitor with parking sensors, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise management with hands-free driving, and a tire strain monitoring system. The 360º Encompass Imaginative and prescient Digital camera had a number of views that allowed you to see what was close-by when backing or parking.
Charging
Honda offers new Prologue house owners three choices of a house or transportable charging unit or charging credit by way of EVgo or Electrify America.
- Residence Charging Station (11.5 kW) and $100 Public Charging Credit score, plus $500 Set up Incentive
- Transportable Charging Equipment (7.6 kW) and $300 Public Charging Credit score, plus $250 Set up Incentive
- $750 Public Charging Credit score
Go right here for the small print.
The Prologue’s 85 kWh battery could be plugged right into a 120V widespread wall plug, however count on replenish instances to be lengthy and sluggish. The perfect guess for house owners might be to put in a Stage 2 240V dwelling charger that can ship 34.1 miles per hour of charging. The quickest approach might be with DC Quick Charging delivering between 62 and 65 miles per 10 minutes of charging, or 35 minutes for a 20-to-80% battery state of cost.
Honda additionally has a useful resource about Residence Electrification that gives solutions to ceaselessly requested questions and a listing of verified installers native to your space.
Warranties
The Prologue is roofed by these warranties.
- Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Powertrain – 5 years/60,000 miles
- Anti-perforation – 5 years/Limitless miles
- Roadside Help – Three years/36,000 miles
- Upkeep Program – One 12 months/12,000 miles
Pricing
The 2024 Honda Prologue is available in 5 trim ranges, with these base costs, together with the necessary $1,395 vacation spot and dealing with cost.
- EX – Single Motor. FWD $48,795
- EX – Twin Motor. AWD $51,795
- Touring – Single Motor. FWD $53,095
- Touring – Twin Motor. AWD $56,095
- Elite – Twin Motor. AWD $59,295
The Honda Prologue closing meeting is in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, which means it’s going to qualify for federal and state tax credit. In some states it could additionally get a coveted HOV lane sticker.
Last Ideas: 2024 Honda Prologue
The 2024 Prologue is Honda’s first high-volume EV, having focused on gasoline and hybrid propulsion till now. They hit the bottom working because the Prologue is a greater midsize SUV EV than many who got here earlier than it.
The Prologue was co-produced with Normal Motors on the shared Ultium EV Platform and it’ll serve them, their clients and sellers nicely as their preliminary foray into all-electric autos. Subsequent up for Honda are its plans to launch extra all-electric fashions beginning in 2026 primarily based by itself world e:Structure. All future Honda EVs might be tailor-made for American drivers that need consolation, type, efficiency and all-electric effectivity.
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Story and photographs by John Faulkner.