Honda is no stranger to delivering vehicles with great fuel economy. For example, the mild hybrid Honda Insight, with its Integrated Motor Assist, delivered 53 MPG combined. But now we have vehicles that do not burn gasoline at all. Honda wants to capture some of the electrification market and deliver a product worthy of its namesake. So here we have the first fully electric Honda available in the United States – the Prologue. Lance Woelfer of Honda Auto Sales notes, “The all-new Honda Prologue represents a major step in our electrification strategy, building on our record hybrid-electric vehicle sales to take us toward our vision of 100% zero-emissions vehicle sales by 2040. The Prologue is a great addition to our lineup; our Honda dealer network is ready, and we can’t wait for our customers to get behind the wheel of our first all-electric SUV.”
Generally Speaking…
The aptly named Prologue shares components and the underpinnings of GM’s electric vehicle platform and has many parts in common with the Chevy Blazer EV, including the electric motors and Ultium battery pack. It seems more spacious than the Blazer EV and is slotted above the CR-V in the Honda lineup. It is similar in size to the Honda Passport. My Elite tester is the fastest in the Prologue lineup, flaunting two electric motors with a total output of 288 horsepower. It is not the fastest EV out there, but with a sub-six-second zero-to-sixty time, it can easily keep up with traffic and push you into the back of your seat. It is still wild to think that a four-door SUV can beat an older Corvette in a drag race without making any tailpipe emissions!
Interior Comfort
Although some of the switchgear comes from GM products, such as the climate controls and window switches, I really like the GM switchgear. I just used it in the Buick Envista and thought it looked great for the low price point. The steering column-mounted shifter gives an open and spacious center console, and front and center is a pocket that swallows your phone for wireless charging. Also taking a cue from GM are massive cupholders that can accommodate a Stanley thermos or the Biggest Gulp. The rear seats can be reclined – the second row is a nice place to spend time. With the flat floor—thanks to no transmission hump—you can sprawl your feet sideways and get comfortable.
Amenities Upfront
My Elite tester had all the amenities of a luxury car, including two-tone memory seats with contrasting stitching. Heated seats are standard on all Prologue models, but the Elite gives you seat cooling and a heated steering wheel. The entire package emulates a luxury car up front, and most people would not think it was an electric vehicle. The cargo area is large, but the engine compartment is not a frunk—the battery pack and front motors reside under the hood.
Tech Time
Honda touts the Prologue as the first Honda SUV with Google built in. It includes Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, which can be easily accessed from the 11.3-inch multimedia display. Google Maps can be displayed on either the infotainment screen or instrument cluster, providing sophisticated route planning with recommended charging stations to optimize travel time. According to Honda, Google Maps can estimate the charging times required to reach the destination and can initiate preconditioning of the EV battery when the destination is a DC fast-charging station. Battery preconditioning can reduce charge times, getting customers back on the road more quickly. There is also a large Heads-Up Display (HUD) so you can monitor speed and navigation directions without taking your eyes off the road.
Concert Hall
Electric cars do not have to contend with engine noise, but they do have to compete with road noise. Touring and Elite models get a Bose premium audio system engineered exclusively for the Prologue. Featuring 12 speakers, including front and rear tweeters and a large subwoofer, the bespoke system places all occupants in the middle of the music, regardless of their seating position, delivering a clear and powerful listening experience.
Prologue’s tech-rich cabin features two high-definition digital screens – a standard 11-inch digital driver instrumentation display with a sleek hoodless design and an intuitive 11.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™ compatibility. Elite trims add a 7×3-inch head-up display (HUD).
To make it easier to use when the vehicle is in motion, the touchscreen incorporates a finger rest for the driver to steady their hand while making selections.
Google Maps can be displayed on either screen, providing sophisticated route planning with recommended charging stations to optimize travel time. It can estimate the charging time required to reach the destination and can initiate preconditioning of the EV battery when the destination is a DC fast-charging station. Battery preconditioning can reduce charge times, allowing customers to get back on the road more quickly.
Touring and Elite models get a Bose premium audio system engineered exclusively for the Prologue. Featuring 12 speakers, including front and rear tweeters and a large subwoofer, the bespoke system places all occupants in the middle of the music, regardless of their seating position, ensuring a clear and powerful listening experience.
The console’s large multi-use tray features two illuminated 3.0A USB-C 45W charging ports. For second-row passengers, two 3.0A USB-C 45W charging ports are standard.
The Honda Prologue benefits from fast and secure over-the-air (OTA) software updates to key vehicle computer modules, enhancing functionality and capability.
