Andy Nurman
January 4, 2024
Honda unveiled its first all-electric SUV, the 2024 Honda Prologue. With an anticipated 300 miles of range on a single charge and starting price around $45,000, Honda aims to compete in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market.
The Prologue features a sleek, neo-rugged exterior design and spacious interior that seats five. Three trim levels will be available: EX, Touring and Elite. Standard features include Google built-in services, an 11-inch digital dashboard and 11.3-inch touchscreen.
Honda targets top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA. All models come equipped with Honda Sensing driver-assist technologies. New additions include rear cross traffic braking, blind zone steering assist and rear pedestrian alert.
The Prologue utilizes Honda’s first dedicated EV platform and will be available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Power output is estimated around 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. DC fast charging enables approximately 65 miles of range from a 10-minute charge.
First deliveries to customers are expected in early 2024. Honda aims for 100% zero emission vehicle sales by 2040. The Prologue signifies an important step in the brand’s electrification strategy, according to Honda National Auto Sales executive Lance Woelfer.
More details on the 2024 Honda Prologue SUV will be released closer to launch.
Our Thoughts
The Prologue touts sleek styling inside and out, but whether that will be enough remains uncertain. Pricing in the upper $40,000s pits it squarely against the wildly popular Tesla Model Y. Honda faces intense competition in making a compelling case that the Prologue can match the technology innovations and capabilities that Tesla has staked its reputation on.
While the Google, Apple CarPlay integration and over-the-air updates are a good start, questions linger around Honda’s prowess in EVs after being slow to enter the market. Range and performance metrics appear respectable if not class-leading. However, Honda’s venerable reputation for quality, reliability and driving dynamics must also translate seamlessly to an all-electric world.
Additionally, while the styling stands out, it feels iterative amid a sea of lookalike crossovers. The interior’s focus on utility over flair could also be a tough sell to style-conscious buyers considering premium alternatives.
In the end, it is promising to see Honda firmly step into the all-electric era. But it remains to be seen whether the Prologue will capture buyers’ imagination and acceptance as confidently as industry leaders like Tesla. Honda has its work cut out to distinguish itself on more than just reputation alone. Delivering a truly stylish and technologically advanced EV experience at scale will be critical.
