2024 Honda Prologue: A game-changer for Honda’s electric future in the U.S.
Honda SUV Prologue 2024 (Motortrend.com)Honda is set to make a significant impact on the electric vehicle market in the U.S. with the launch of the 2024 Honda Prologue. While Honda has dabbled in electric vehicles before, this marks their first mass-market electric car designed for American consumers. This milestone has been achieved with some assistance from General Motors and their Ultium electric platform, although the Prologue maintains Honda’s distinctive design and character.
Design That Speaks Honda
The 2024 Honda Prologue retains Honda’s signature SUV design language with a muscular yet sporty appearance. What sets it apart is the lower and more aerodynamic greenhouse, featuring a gracefully sloping roofline towards the rear. Despite sharing a similar body length with the Passport, the Prologue boasts a longer wheelbase of 121.8 inches, making it more spacious than the CR-V and offering enhanced proportions.
Electric Identity
Honda is introducing a new logo specifically for its all-electric vehicles, inspired by the Honda e compact hatchback, featuring a unique font with lowercase letters after the “H.” This logo will exclusively adorn Honda’s electric cars, distinguishing them from their hybrid and combustion counterparts. Additionally, the “E:” badge denotes an all-electric Honda.
The Ultium Collaboration
Collaborating with GM enabled Honda to utilize the Ultium platform, but from the exterior, there are minimal signs of its GM influence. The most noticeable difference is the use of six-lug wheels, particularly the 21-inch aluminum wheels on the Prologue Elite AWD, the largest ever on a Honda. This partnership also led to an interim solution for charging ports, as Honda couldn’t immediately switch to Tesla’s NACS charging port, eventually planning to do so when Ultium transitions to it.
The Prologue offers a single battery pack option, an 85 kWh pack for the EX, Touring, and Elite trims. While this simplifies the lineup, it means that the battery size doesn’t change even for dual-motor AWD models. The upside is that this pack provides efficient charge times, with up to 155 kW on a DC fast charger, offering around 65 miles of range in just 10 minutes.
Charging Packages
To accommodate various charging situations, Honda offers three optional packages for Prologue owners. These include a $750 public charging credit, a portable charging package with a 7.6-kW charging cable, and an 11.5-kW home charging station package. Honda is also working with other automakers to create a brand-neutral DC fast-charging network, offering rates of up to 350 kW.
Suspension and Driving Experience
Honda has tuned the Prologue’s coil-spring multilink suspension to deliver the familiar Honda driving experience. Contrary to expectations, it doesn’t compromise ride quality, offering a comfortable and enjoyable ride.
Spacious and Modern Interior
Inside, the Prologue boasts a spacious cabin with over 136 cubic feet of interior space. The modern design includes an 11.0-inch instrument display for all trims, with the Elite trim featuring a 7×3-inch head-up display. The infotainment system offers an 11.3-inch touchscreen with Google integration, complemented by wireless Apple CarPlay. Honda’s partnership with Google also enhances route planning and battery management.
Practical Amenities
The Prologue features a range of practical amenities, including ample storage, USB-C charging ports, a 120V outlet for rear passengers, and a generous cargo space with up to 57.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down.
What’s Next for Honda
While the Prologue represents Honda’s initial step into mass-market electric vehicles in the U.S., the company is committed to achieving 100 percent zero-emissions sales. Honda plans to retool its Ohio plant, set up an EV Hub, and collaborate with LGES for battery production. This signifies a strong commitment to an electric future.
The exact release date and pricing for the 2024 Honda Prologue are yet to be announced, but it’s expected to be available nationwide in early 2024, with an anticipated price in the upper $40,000 range. Pre-sales will commence later this year, providing more details about this pivotal addition to Honda’s electric lineup.
