Honda entered the U.S EV market in 2017 with the introduction of the Clarity. But the Sedan could not keep up with its competition, mainly because it offered only 89 miles of range on a full charge. The auto manufacturer discontinued the Clarity EV three years later and promised to introduce “new, highly appealing all-electric vehicles for the U.S market in the years ahead.”
To fulfill its promise, Honda is teaming up with General Motors to develop the Prologue, a two-row, all-electric SUV. Scheduled to come to the North American market in 2024, the Honda Prologue is likely to earn Honda the accolades it seeks in the U.S EV market. While we wait for the SUV to hit the roads, here’s what we know so far about the 2024 Honda Prologue.
A Design Masterpiece
Not many SUVs appear rugged and athletic simultaneously, but the 2024 Honda Prologue will tick both boxes. Thanks to the ingenuity of Honda’s Los Angeles-based “young team of designers,” the Prologue is fresh and stunning (in pictures). Honda describes the design as “Neo-rugged” because it will reflect the “harmony of nature’s elements.” An example is the Prologue’s exclusive “North Shore Pearl” exterior color inspired by colors near Lake Tahoe.
At the front, horizontal LED headlights flank the grille. And there’s a cute indentation on the bumper, right below the grille. The most noticeable elements on the side profiles are the large 21-inch wheels and the tapering roofline, which ends with a rear roof spoiler. Honda chose to replace the classic H badge with its full brand name at the rear of the Prologue. The name, written in stylized typeface, is flanked by nice-looking taillights. With 192.0 and 78.3 inches in length and width, the Honda Prologue will be about 8 inches longer and 5 inches wider than the CR-V.
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Predicted Performance
The Prologue will ride on a platform jointly developed by Honda and GM, and share GM’s Ultium battery technology. Therefore, although Honda has yet to release information about the performance of the mid-size SUV, we can make predictions based on what we know about GM’s new EVs, like the futuristic Cadillac Lyriq. We expect the Prologue to offer different motor configurations and a range of about 250-320 miles depending on the selected configuration. Also, gearheads expect commendable driving dynamics and nimble handling.
Unique, Yet Familiar
Although the Prologue has a unique styling, Honda didn’t want it to look out of place in the showroom with other SUVs from the manufacturer. Therefore, the 2024 Honda Prologue interior will take some cues and flourishes from the Passport SUV and the Civic compact Sedan. Like the exterior color, the cabin’s two-tone color, charcoal and light gray, is inspired by nature (freshly fallen snow on mountains).
The dashboard will have horizontal air vents running across most parts of it. And two screens, an 11-inch driver display panel, and an 11.3-inch infotainment system will sit on the dashboard. The infotainment display will have a simple, horizontal theme, just like most new Hondas. And a panoramic roof will overlook the two rows of seats, enhancing the mood in the cabin. We expect a roomy cabin with more space than the Honda CR-V. We have yet to get any information on the infotainment and driver-assist features as of this writing; we will update this article as soon as possible.
Can’t Hide GM’s Touch
Beyond sharing GM’s Ultium battery technology, the Honda Prologue has some clues reflecting its GM roots. For example, the Honda Prologue will have similar proportions to the Chevy Blazer EV. And if the released pictures are anything to go by, it is safe to conclude that the door handles, steering wheel, lock switches, and window controls are inspired by the same elements in the Blazer cabin.
Pricing
Honda will begin the sales of the Prologue in 2024. Although the automaker has not disclosed the starting price, with the Blazer and Honda Pilot costing about $45,000 and $40,000, the Prologue could start around the same range.
Gabriel Olakunori
Gabriel likes to argue (blindly) that SUVs are a part of nature, but he seems to have a point whenever you walk in the snow, through the bone-dry desert, splendid park-like boulevard, plains, and rocky roads. He has over five years of experience writing across a broad spectrum of topics, with quite a number in the automotive industry. If he is not at the desk w̶r̶i̶t̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun, he is at the wheel d̶r̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ having fun. Both activities take him to the same destination: Utopia. He loves SUVs simply because they are all-inclusive, but he cannot turn down an offer to drive or write about any vehicle.
