2024 Honda Prologue EV heats up midsize crossover segment

America Honda Motor Co. has a lot riding on the launch of the Prologue electric crossover. 

As its name suggests, Honda’s first new-era EV marks the beginning of the automaker’s ambitious push to hit half a million EV sales in North America by 2030, and convert 100 per cent of its sales from gasoline engines to zero emissions by 2040.

Many have viewed Honda, the largest maker of internal combustion engine vehicles in the world, as being slow-moving on EVs, and some worried that the Japanese brand’s first volume entry in the growing market — a collaboration with General Motors that leverages the Ultium battery electric platform and is based on the Chevrolet Blazer EV — would not be “Honda” enough.

But now that the wraps are off, the Prologue appears to deliver a distinctively Honda experience, even though the automaker’s foray into the EV market depends on GM architecture.

The Prologue’s low roof, clean lines and boxy silhouette look more like a next-evolution Honda design than a quirky, futuristic EV. Its sporty aesthetic — which Honda is calling “neo-rugged” — was crafted by its in-house design team. 

The Honda name is prominently splayed across the rear in big letters and an e:series badge that identifies the brand’s global electric plans.

Honda said its engineers optimized the Prologue’s aerodynamics for maximized efficiency but tuned the suspension to retain a sportier driving dynamic. A Sport mode is available for a more engaging driving experience with a quicker throttle and steering response, firmer steering and increased braking power.

The Prologue also is loaded with new Honda technology, such as Google Built-In with wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto compatibility and over-the-air update capability. The Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver assistance safety features includes new rear-cross traffic braking, blind zone steering and rear pedestrian alert.

The Prologue sits squarely in the midsize segment and so far has few rivals. The Prologue will go on sale in early 2024, while initial deliveries are underway for the Chevrolet Blazer EV.

Honda expects to sell 30,000 to 45,000 Prologues in the U.S. by the end of next year, Jonathon Rivers, product planning manager for American Honda, told Automotive News. The longer-term goal for full-year sales is 70,000. The automaker didn't note Canadian expectations.

“It is going to be a very aggressive target,” Rivers said.

As far as being reliant on GM for a smooth launch, Rivers said Honda has “very good confidence in their production capabilities to meet our plans for this vehicle.” 

The Prologue is powered by an 85-kilowatt-hour battery that will travel an estimated 300 miles — 450 kilometres — on a single charge when configured with front-wheel drive. When hooked up to a DC fast charger, it will be able to add back 65 miles — 105 kilometres — of range in 10 minutes. 

Honda has not provided specific pricing plans but said the new model will start in the “mid $60,000s” in Canada.

Rivers said the Prologue’s pricing will be very reasonable considering all of the technology and connectivity it will offer. Honda officials have not yet confirmed whether the Prologue will qualify for U.S. or Canadian federal EV tax incentives.

The electric five-seater is a true midsize electric crossover that stretches 192 inches (487 centimetres) in length — just a bit longer than the 189-inch (480-cm) Passport and eight inches (20 cm) longer than the CR-V. The brand’s larger, three-row Pilot is 200 inches (508 cm) long. 

The Prologue’s 136.9-cubic-foot interior will appeal to four-person families who want an EV but don’t want to downsize into compact-segment dimensions. Rear seats even offer two angles of recline for extra comfort.

The vehicle offers 25.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity in the back, as well as a hidden cubby under the floor to keep the chargers untangled when not in use. With the 60/40-splitting rear seats folded flat, cargo capacity expands to 57.7 cubic feet. 

Prologue will come in three trims: EX, EX-L and Touring, all powered by a dual-motor and all-wheel drive.

Buttons and knobs for climate control and audio volume are complemented by an 11.3-inch center touchscreen and 11-inch instrument display behind the steering wheel. All trims also get two USB-Cs in the front and two in the rear.

A two-level center console has enough space for two smartphones to sit side-by-side on a grippy flat surface, and an upright, pocket-type wireless charger is standard. 

The Touring and Elite trims come with 12-speaker Bose premium audio and a seven-inch head-up display is standard on Elite.

Honda has not officially revealed the Prologue’s production location, but it’s likely to be built at GM’s plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico.