The 2024 Honda Prologue EV is a vehicle that demands a second look, especially if your first impression was fleeting. After a brief encounter earlier this year at the 2024 New York Auto Show, alongside impressive models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV9, the Prologue didn’t initially strike me as a standout. However, spending a week test driving the 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite proved my initial assessment completely wrong, revealing it to be one of the most surprisingly compelling electric vehicles I’ve experienced this year.
My initial skepticism stemmed from the thought that the Prologue might be a rushed attempt by Honda to enter the burgeoning electric vehicle market. Stepping into the driver’s seat for the first time, however, evoked a sense of familiarity reminiscent of other EVs I’ve recently driven, such as the Cadillac Lyriq and Chevrolet Blazer EV, particularly in terms of interior spaciousness.
This feeling of déjà vu turned out to be accurate. The Honda Prologue AWD Elite shares its foundational chassis with General Motors. While an entirely original platform would have been ideal, Honda has masterfully differentiated this mid-size crossover SUV. The Honda Prologue EV has emerged as a truly underrated contender in the electric vehicle landscape, exceeding expectations and offering a compelling package for EV enthusiasts and families alike.
2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite: Key Specifications
| Feature | 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite |
|---|---|
| Battery | 85kWh |
| Range | 273 miles |
| Horsepower | 288 hp |
| Wheels | 21-inches |
| MSRP | $57,900 |
2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite: A Week of Driving Impressions
Image: Rear view of the 2024 Honda Prologue electric car, showcasing the spacious trunk opening.
My week-long test drive of the Honda Prologue EV encompassed a balanced mix of city streets and highway miles, providing a realistic assessment of its performance in various driving conditions. For electric vehicles, efficiency metrics differ significantly from traditional gasoline cars. Therefore, I focused on recording the Prologue’s energy efficiency and the charging gains achieved using a Level 1 charger at home.
Over the test period, I observed the following driving and charging statistics:
- Total distance driven: 243.6 miles
- Average energy efficiency: 3.4 miles per kWh (mi/kWh)
- Level 1 charging: Battery level increased from 47% to 57% over 11.933 hours
- Range added via Level 1 charging: 29 miles
- Level 1 charging rate: Approximately 2.4 miles of range per hour
Notably, the Honda Prologue’s energy efficiency improved as I drove it more, culminating in an impressive 3.4 mi/kWh. This figure surpasses the efficiency of the Cadillac Lyriq (2.7 mi/kWh) and Chevrolet Blazer EV (3.2 mi/kWh), both of which share the same 85 kWh battery capacity as the Blazer EV. While it doesn’t quite reach the benchmark efficiency of EVs like the Lucid Air Pure or Hyundai Kona Electric, the Prologue’s efficiency is commendable for its size and class, positioning it as a practical and relatively efficient electric SUV.
2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite: Standout Pros
Appealing Design and Premium Color Palette
Image: Close-up of the 2024 Honda Prologue electric car’s taillights and rear design in North Shore Pearl paint.
My initial impression at the auto show, under perhaps less than ideal lighting, did not fully capture the Honda Prologue’s design merits. Seeing it in everyday environments revealed its genuinely appealing aesthetics. Moving away from the sharp, angular designs prevalent in many futuristic EVs like the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra, the Prologue embraces a more familiar, contemporary SUV silhouette. This approach is far from detrimental; it positions the Prologue as a sophisticated and approachable vehicle on the road today.
The gently sloping elongated hood flows seamlessly into a modern front grille and bumper, creating a refined front fascia. The Prologue’s wide stance gives the rear a subtle boxy profile, evoking a nostalgic nod to 1980s boomboxes, adding a touch of retro-modern charm. The striking North Shore Pearl paint further enhances its visual appeal, complemented by the stylish 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels, completing a design that is both modern and timeless.
Expansive Head-Up Display System
Image: The large and clear head-up display of the Honda Prologue electric car, showing speed and navigation information.
Mirroring the Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Honda Prologue boasts a generously sized head-up display, which I found to be a significant advantage. In fact, the Prologue’s head-up display is noticeably larger than most others I’ve encountered, proving incredibly useful while driving. It projects crucial information like speed and navigation directly into the driver’s line of sight.
The display’s clarity ensures effortless readability in various lighting conditions. While setting the brightness too high might be slightly distracting at night, its overall utility in providing essential driving information without diverting attention from the road is undeniable, enhancing both safety and convenience.
Automatic Passenger Mirror Tilt for Parking
Image: Honda Prologue electric car parked, highlighting the passenger side mirror tilted downwards for parking assistance.
A novel feature for me, the 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite automatically tilts the passenger side mirror downwards when reversing. While the vehicle is equipped with a comprehensive 360-degree camera system, including an overhead view, this tilting mirror function adds an extra layer of parking assistance. It provides a clearer view of the curb during parallel parking, helping to avoid accidental wheel scrapes. Once parking is complete, the mirror smartly returns to its standard position, a subtle yet highly practical feature.
Breathtaking Panoramic Sunroof
Image: Animated GIF showcasing the panoramic sunroof opening and closing on the Honda Prologue electric car.
What’s an exceptional electric vehicle without an interior feature to impress? The Prologue’s panoramic sunroof is genuinely breathtaking. During pleasant weather, opening the expansive sunroof transforms the cabin, flooding it with natural light and fresh air.
The front section of the sunroof can also tilt open for ventilation, and a mesh screen at the front edge helps to keep out debris and insects while driving. For rear passengers, the panoramic sunroof is an especially delightful feature, covering a significant portion of the roof and enhancing the sense of spaciousness and openness throughout the vehicle.
Smooth Ride and Impressive Turning Radius
Image: Side profile of the 2024 Honda Prologue electric car in motion, emphasizing its smooth driving experience.
Although not designed as a performance EV, the 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite delivers a remarkably smooth and comfortable ride with adequate acceleration. The wide chassis effectively absorbs road imperfections, maintaining composure even on uneven surfaces.
On highways, the cabin is impressively quiet, and maneuvering in and out of lanes is effortless. The spacious interior further enhances the driving experience, offering generous legroom in the rear seats, ventilated front seats for warm weather comfort, and ample headroom for taller occupants. For a larger SUV, the Prologue’s surprisingly tight turning radius makes it remarkably maneuverable in urban environments.
2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite: Noteworthy Cons
Outdated User Interface and Compact Display
Image: Close-up of the 2024 Honda Prologue electric car’s infotainment touchscreen display, showing the user interface.
Fortunately, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility are standard in the 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite, because the stock infotainment system’s user interface feels noticeably antiquated. The dated design, featuring large icons against a muted blue background with minimal animations, detracts from the otherwise modern feel of the vehicle.
Adding to this is the relatively small 11.3-inch touchscreen display, which appears diminutive compared to the larger, more immersive screens found in many competing EVs. The software’s overall aesthetic and responsiveness feel behind the curve. While I had reservations about the Toyota bZ4X’s system, the Prologue’s infotainment is similarly underwhelming in today’s EV context.
Absence of Super Cruise Control
Image: Driver’s perspective inside the Honda Prologue electric car, highlighting the steering wheel and dashboard.
Adaptive cruise control is a feature that has become almost indispensable in modern EVs. The Honda Prologue includes standard adaptive cruise control, capable of adjusting speed to maintain a set distance from vehicles ahead. However, it lacks lane-centering assist, often referred to as Lane Keep Assist in other EVs, which automatically steers the vehicle to remain centered within lane markings.
Without this lane-centering capability, drivers must still actively steer while using cruise control. In contrast, vehicles like the Cadillac Lyriq offer Super Cruise, a hands-free driving system that manages both speed and steering in designated highway conditions. The Prologue’s omission of a more advanced system like Super Cruise is a notable drawback in a competitive EV market.
2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite: The Verdict
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Despite a few shortcomings, particularly in its infotainment system and driver-assistance technology, the 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite is an electric SUV that deserves serious consideration. Its smooth driving dynamics and surprisingly efficient energy consumption for its size make it a compelling option in the EV segment.
While slightly pricier than the comparable Chevrolet Blazer EV, the Prologue offers enhanced value through features like the panoramic sunroof and seamless wireless CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Its spacious interior makes it an excellent choice for families seeking a comfortable and practical electric vehicle.
Furthermore, the Prologue’s EPA-estimated range of 273 miles is just a starting point. The observed 3.4 mi/kWh efficiency suggests that achieving even greater range is possible with mindful driving habits. For budget-conscious buyers, the base EX model starts at a more accessible $47,400, though it involves some compromises in comfort and convenience features. Overall, the Honda Prologue is a well-rounded and surprisingly impressive entry into the Honda Electric Car lineup, proving itself to be an underrated gem in the growing EV market.
