The 2025 Honda Prologue is Honda's first dedicated electric SUV. It is a 5-passenger, 4-door wagon that shares a chassis, battery, and electric motors with the Chevrolet Blazer EV. Competitors include the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai IONIQ 5, Kia EV6, Subaru Solterra, Tesla Model Y, and Toyota bZ4X. From a size perspective, the Prologue is longer and wider than the Honda CR-V, but smaller than the Honda Pilot.
The Prologue comes in three trim levels: EX, Touring, and Elite. All trims are powered by an 85 kWh Ultium battery pack, providing an estimated range of up to 300 miles on a full charge. The base EX trim offers a single motor with 212 horsepower (front-wheel drive) or a dual motor with 288 horsepower (all-wheel drive). The Touring trim adds more amenities, while the top-tier Elite trim includes premium features like a panoramic sunroof and advanced driver-assistance systems.
Pricing for the 2025 Honda Prologue starts at $48,795 for the EX trim, $51,795 for the Touring trim, and $57,900 for the Elite trim. Safety features include Honda Sensing driver-assistive technologies, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Unlike some other EVs that boast blistering-quick acceleration, the Prologue provides smooth and reassuring acceleration. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive version will accelerate from 0 to 60 MPH in about 6.2 seconds. Quick, but certainly not class leading. The drivetrain is smooth, and acceleration is linear, though never overwhelming. The Prologue offers Sport and Normal driving modes and true 1-pedal driving if selected.
The front-drive model carries an EPA MPGe combined rating of 99 MPGe. The Touring and Elite trims are slightly lower at 85 and 92 MPGe, respectively. That rating is lower than most competitors, with the Tesla Model Y achieving a rating of 120 MPGe. The large battery in the Prologue provides a range of anywhere from 250-300 miles -- depending on trim -- and it is capable of DC fast charging at a rate of 155 kW, which can provide a boost of about 65 miles in 10 minutes under the right conditions. In routine driving, the Prologue AWD model averages about 2.5 kWh per mile. That number trails class leaders, which average close to 3.5 kWh per mile. It's important to note that Honda does not include a 110-volt charge cable with the Prologue, meaning that charging necessity is an extra charge accessory that must be purchased -- similar to Apple and Samsung not including a charging brick with new phones.
While the Prologue doesn't feel as nimble or agile as typical Honda crossovers, it offers a composed and controlled ride that's sure to suit most buyers. The suspension and steering have a heavy feeling that's exacerbated when rounding corners by the sheer mass of the battery that sits low in the chassis. While this low center of gravity creates reassuring cornering, quick changes of direction elicit an unrefined response as the tires must overcome the hefty curb-weight penalty that comes with carrying that large battery.
From a driver's perspective, the Prologue's even-tempered road manners will be welcomed. Though the vehicle rides on a long wheelbase and is quite wide, it's easy to maneuver in parking lots and tracks dead true on the highway. The accurate steering lacks any road feeling and dulls any sense of driving enjoyment. One plus is the adjustable regenerative braking system, which can slow the car at varying levels when you lift off the accelerator. One-pedal driving is possible, and there's a convenient paddle on the steering wheel that increases the level of regen on demand to slow the car further.
Interior noise levels are among the lowest in the class, as the Prologue is nearly silent on the highway. Like the Blazer EV, the Prologue creates a mechanical hum at slow speeds to warn pedestrians of its approach. It's not annoying but certainly audible inside the cabin. The Prologue's cabin is a hybrid blend of high-end General Motors switchgear and Honda's functional design ethos. And it works. Unlike some other EVs that overwhelm with technology for technology's sake, the Prologue's dashboard is awash in conventional buttons and knobs and augmented with crisp digital displays for the instruments and infotainment system. There's even a large head-up display on Elite models. Materials are price-appropriate, and the cabin has an upscale feeling.
The wide front seats are firmly bolstered and offer good long-haul comfort. Legroom and headroom are exceptional. Second-row passengers are treated to ample room and seats that are unusually comfortable. The cabin floor is flat, which creates a feeling of spaciousness and makes the middle seat more tolerable.
Outward visibility is fine to the front and sides, but the smallish rear window greatly reduces the view astern. A digital mirror would be a welcome solution to that problem, but it's not offered by Honda, though it is available in General Motors models. Doors open wide and the step-in is modest, making for exceptional ingress/egress.
On the technology front, the Prologue has all the safety and technology goodies you'd expect in the class. The 11-inch digital instrument cluster is programmable and can be customized with various information centers. The 11.3-inch infotainment system screen is high in the center of the dashboard and sports an interface that is well-designed and simple and straightforward in operation. Though you may still have to wade through menus to alter certain vehicle settings, many features can be pre-programmed. There are dedicated, conventional controls for the HVAC system. Unlike in the similar Chevrolet Blazer EV, Honda has chosen to allow Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The only thing missing is a tuner knob for the radio.
The Prologue offers an underwhelming 24 cubic feet of storage space behind the rear seats. Folding the rear seats expands that to 55 cubic feet. There is a bin under the rear cargo area, but no front trunk. Interior storage is good. The Prologue offers a wide center console with a handy available wireless phone charger.
Bottom Line -- While many may be quick to dismiss the Prologue as a Blazer EV clone, Honda takes what's best from General Motors and adds its typical dash of everyday usefulness. The addition of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is a huge plus for many buyers as well. Positives include a comfortable and quiet ride, roomy cabin, reasonably quick charging times, and a solid overall range of more than 250 miles. Unfortunately, the Prologue isn't the most efficient EV in its class, and that means higher energy costs over time, somewhat negating overall cost savings compared to a similar-sized gasoline vehicle.
|
|