Road Test: 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite

All-New, All-Electric Midsize SUV

The all-new 2024 Honda Prologue should be a comfortable transition for loyal Honda owners going from gasoline to their first all-electric car. One of the key elements for this loyalty is Honda’s reliability, which the Prologue should have even though it is a new model.

Co-developed with General Motors, the Prologue rides on the Ultium EV platform that is also shared with a quartet of SUVs—the Cadillac Lyriq, Chevrolet Blazer, Equinox EV and Acura ZDX. The combined miles driven by these electric vehicles on the same platform has been the real-world testing ground for the Prologue that uses essentially the same motors, battery and suspension. To this point there have been no recalls for any of these models for Honda owners to raise 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 differences are what Honda did with the exterior design, the interior materials and features, software and tuning the suspension.

Power and Range

The 2024 Honda Prologue comes in five trims.

• EX – Single Motor. Front Wheel Drive (FWD)
• 212 horsepower (hp)
• 236 pound-feet (lb.ft.) torque
• 296 All-Electric Range (AER)

• EX – Dual 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 – Dual Motor. AWD
• 288 hp
• 333 lb.-ft. torque
• 281 AER

• Elite – Dual Motor. AWD
• 288 hp
• 333 lb.-ft. torque
• 273 AER

These power and range options include a difference of 15-23 miles of range. Is this a reason to sacrifice additional horsepower and torque? Read on, and maybe the price list below will help in your decision.

Behind the Wheel

Clean Fleet Report spent about 10 days in the Prologue Elite AWD. We anticipate the difference in handling between the FWD and AWD Prologue to be subtle, with a bit more traction in sloppy weather with the AWD. Either way, the Prologue will make for a good, but not sporty, handling SUV.

There are two driver-selectable drive modes—Standard and Sport—which sums-up how Honda is positioning the Prologue. They want consumers to see it as a dependable, comfortable, roomy two-row, five-passenger SUV that can go nearly 300 miles on a single charge.

The performance of our Elite, with 288 hp, was more than adequate with 0-60 times in the high 5-second range, which is perfectly peppy for merging onto freeways and passing big rigs. We anticipate even the single-motor models the 212 hp will move along the Prologue just fine.

In 212 miles of driving through Southern California we averaged a very respectable 3.3 miles per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of electricity, which included a majority of freeway driving. We did see 4.0 miles/kWh when driving in-town where an EV is its most efficient. Here is how the EPA rates the Prologue.

The all-wheel drive Prologue Elite AWD, weighing-in at 5,273 pounds, is planted solidly to the ground, with the batteries placed below the floor delivering a low center of gravity and a 50:50 weight distribution. Getting the weight low to the ground is desirable to engineers designing race cars and street cars.

Behind the Wheel

As with all EVs, acceleration is smooth, instant and linear. At low speeds there is a pleasant sci-fi whirring sound to alert pedestrians an EV is approaching.

The regenerative braking has three options—Normal, High and Off—to set the force for One Pedal Driving. We always set our regen at the most aggressive level so when slowing or coasting it didn’t require applying the brake pedal in most situations. Whether around town driving or on mountain curves, one pedal driving is the most convenient and fun way to drive the Prologue. There is also a very small paddle on the back side of the steering wheel to modulate the slowing—in addition to feathering the accelerator pedal.

The 275/45 Bridgestone Alenza Enliten all-season tires gripped well, but the self-sealing run-flats on large 21-inch wheels transmitted road noise into the cabin. We expect the base 255/60 all-season tires on 19-inch wheels would be quieter.

The electric power steering made for sharp and precise turning and solid braking with ABS, assisted ventilated front and rear solid discs aided by electronic stability control, electronic brake-pressure distribution and brake assist. One suggestion on the next generation Prologue is to have the parking brake set itself automatically when putting the transmission into Park.

Welcoming Interior

The two-tone gray and brown interior has tasteful touches of brushed aluminum and piano black. Soft touch materials on the dash, doors, and the center console, which has a handy lower storage area. Leather is found on the seats and the multifunction adjustable steering wheel.

The flat floor provides ample leg, shoulder and head room for five occupants. Six footers are easily accommodated in the front seats, but the sloping roofline could have some taller passengers scraping the ceiling in the rear.

The driver gets a power 10-way adjustable heated and ventilated seat with two memory settings, and the passenger gets a 6-way adjustable heated and ventilated seat. The seats were comfortable with good thigh and lower back support (the driver gets power lumbar), making for no fatigue after sitting for several hours. Visibility was very good, save for the rear window wiper that was always in the line-of-sight when looking in the auto-dimming rearview mirror.

Wide second row access led to the comfortable 60:40 split rear seat that, when up has 23.7 cubic-feet of cargo space that grows to 54.5 cubic-feet when folded nearly-flat. There is no front trunk (frunk), for stashing small items.

The low profile dash has an adjustable 11-inch digital instrument display, and an 11.3-inch horizontal color touch screen display that erupts from the dash. The 12-speaker Bose audio system is controlled through the touch screen for AM/FM HD radio, SiriusXM and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The thick grip, leather-covered, heated steering wheel controls are helpful and convenient for the adaptive cruise control, radio volume and channels, to activate voice recognition and many more items.

Google people will be right at home with the Google Built-in that includes maps, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and the ability to download apps such as Spotify. But Apple fans are not left out as Apple Maps can be projected on the screen if Google Maps isn’t your thing.

There is Bluetooth for streaming audio and wireless phone charging to complete the interior technology. The front occupants get a 12V power outlet and USB-C ports front and rear. The HondaLink app connects your phone and the Prologue with several convenient features, such as a stolen vehicle locator, remote start and stop and remote door lock/unlock.

The panoramic power slide and tilt moonroof and the hands-free power lift tailgate are standard on the Prologue Elite trim we tested. Features standard on all trims are one-touch automatic up and down power windows, illuminated sun visors, dual zone climate control with air conditioning air filtration, push button start/stop and map lights.

A New Look

The Prologue is longer and wider, but not as tall as the sibling Passport SUV. It also looks like no other Honda SUV, which is probably what Honda was going for. Auto manufacturers are having a naming and design challenge differentiating their gasoline and electricity-powered vehicles in their line-ups, making the exterior design a key step in this process.

Designed at Honda’s Advanced Design Center in Los Angeles, the Prologue has what Honda calls a “neo-rugged” styling that is simple and clean. The LED headlights sweep onto the fenders, leading to smooth sides, a long hood, a sweeping roof and LED tail lights on the lift gate.

The Prologue is low, wide and sleek and has been designed to maximize aerodynamics to achieve the highest all-electric driving range. Even the stylized typeface spelling-out H-O-N-D-A on the lift gate, has been revised and a new “e: series” badging has been introduced.

The 2024 Honda Prologue is available in eight colors: North Shore Pearl, Pacific Blue Metallic, Raven Black, Scarlet Red Metallic, Snowfall Pearl, Sonic Gray Pearl and Mercury Silver Metallic which adorned Clean Fleet Report’s Prologue Elite.

Safety

The Prologue comes with Honda Sensing, offering an extensive list of standard and optional safety features beginning with front, side impact, side knee and side air curtain airbags. The Advance Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), includes lane keeping assist, blind spot, forward collision, and rear cross-traffic alert and braking. Other safety features are hill start assist, surround and blind view monitor with parking sensors, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with hands-free driving, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The 360º Surround Vision Camera had multiple views that allowed you to see what was close-by when backing or parking.

Charging

Honda gives new Prologue owners three options of a home or portable charging unit or charging credits through EVgo or Electrify America.

• Home Charging Station (11.5 kW) and $100 Public Charging Credit, plus $500 Installation Incentive
• Portable Charging Kit (7.6 kW) and $300 Public Charging Credit, plus $250 Installation Incentive
• $750 Public Charging Credit

Go here for the details.

The Prologue’s 85 kWh battery can be plugged into a 120V common wall plug, but expect replenish times to be long and slow. The best bet for owners will be to install a Level 2 240V home charger that will deliver 34.1 miles per hour of charging. The fastest way will be with DC Fast Charging delivering between 62 and 65 miles per 10 minutes of charging, or 35 minutes for a 20-to-80% battery state of charge.

Honda also has a resource about Home Electrification that provides answers to frequently asked questions and a list of verified installers local to your area.

Warranties

The Prologue is covered by these warranties.

• Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
• Powertrain – Five years/60,000 miles    
• Anti-perforation – Five years/Unlimited miles
• Roadside Assistance – Three years/36,000 miles
• Maintenance Program – One year/12,000 miles

Pricing

The 2024 Honda Prologue comes in five trim levels, with these base prices, including the mandatory $1,395 destination and handling charge.

• EX – Single Motor. FWD             $48,795
• EX – Dual Motor. AWD               $51,795
• Touring – Single Motor. FWD     $53,095
• Touring – Dual Motor. AWD      $56,095
• Elite – Dual Motor. AWD            $59,295

The Honda Prologue final assembly is in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, meaning it will qualify for federal and state tax credits. In some states it may also get a coveted HOV lane sticker.

Final Thoughts: 2024 Honda Prologue

The 2024 Prologue is Honda’s first high-volume EV, having concentrated on gasoline and hybrid propulsion until now. They hit the ground running as the Prologue is a better midsize SUV EV than many that came before it.

The Prologue was co-produced with General Motors on the shared Ultium EV Platform and it will serve them, their customers and dealers well as their initial foray into all-electric vehicles. Next up for Honda are its plans to launch additional all-electric models starting in 2026 based on its own global e:Architecture. All future Honda EVs will be tailored for American drivers that want comfort, style, performance and all-electric efficiency.

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Story and photos by John Faulkner.

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Disclosure:

Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.

Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@cleanfleetreport.com.