2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite - Review by David Colman +VIDEO

You might want to wait on this

David Colman

Photos and Story by David Colman
Special Correspondent
THE AUTO CHANNEL

Honda's 2024 Prologue isn't actually a Honda so much as it is a reconfigured Chevrolet Blazer EV dressed up to look like a Honda. The name Honda chose for their inaugural foray into the hot new EV SUV market is aptly named Prologue, a word which means "Preface, Preamble or Prelude." Since Honda long ago built a sports coupe called the Prelude, they decided to go with Prologue for this one.

But it turns out that this preliminary foray into unexplored sales territory is in fact a bit more of a Chevy than a Honda. Primarily, that's because both offspring are built on GM's Ultium Blazer EV platform. You sense that the moment you twist the unresponsive steering wheel, or pop open the center console lid and discover it won't stay up of its own accord. These kinds of detail shortcomings are most untypical of Honda engineering, but have long been all too common on GM products. That point home was driven home yet again when I erected the hinged cover over the cargo bay to examine the Prologue's portable charging kit. As I leaned in to get a better look, the vertical trunk floor collapsed and bonked me on the back of my head. I hopefully re-erected it, but got bonked a second time for my trouble.

If you're a Honda enthusiast, you'll encounter a myriad of detail discrepancies that differentiate this inaugural EV effort from Honda's accustomed methodology. In addition to vague steering feedback, you'll discover that key touch points like starter button placement and shift lever location are inexplicably hidden from behind the right side of the steering wheel. Likewise, the tiny Drive Mode button is inconspicuously placed low on the dash fascia, left of the steering wheel.

While the ponderous Prologue we tested was not particularly fun to drive, its lively interior accouterments almost made up for its lack of vigor. For example, our AWD Elite model constitutes the top echelon available in the Prologue model range. Its 281hp twin electric motors coupled to all-wheel drive endow it with decent straight-line speed, as well as a modicum of off-road competence. This 5,268 pound beast will get rolling fast enough from a standing start to crack 0-60mph in 5.9 seconds, and post a 14.8 second, 94mph run in the quarter mile. Top speed is governor limited to 112mph.

The Elite's bounteous and colorful interior duly reflects its position atop the Prologue pecking order, as does its elevated base price of $57,900. We loved the look of the scintillating $455 optional North Shore Pearl paint frosting the exterior. The interior offers a well orchestrated symphony of off-white leather seat bolsters interspersed with light gray door panels and seat cushions. While the effect is airy and sportive, the question hanging over EV-land is when will manufacturers give up on the their incessant penchant for white leather in favor of something more durable and easy to clean? Apparently, white leather connotes your purity of intent in having the courage to select electric propulsion. Other high points of life inside this cabin revolve around the sound output of the Elite level BOSE 12 speaker premium audio system which is thoughtfully provided with a large, graspable volume knob located dead center on the dash face.

If the top echelon Elite Prologue is beyond your means, Honda offers a couple of side street avenues to cheaper EV transport. To that end, you can opt for the 212hp, single motor, front wheel drive version in base EX or elevated Touring trim. The former will save you a bunch of money with its base price of $48,795 while the latter starts bumps the ante up to $53,095.

With a Tread Wear factor of TW 700, the Prologue's tires posted the hardest rubber rating we have evaluated to date on any vehicle. This set of 275/45R21 Bridgestone Alenza AS 02 Enliten mud and snow-rated, self-sealing radial tires come mounted on boldly spoked bi-color alloy rims. Their 45 series sidewalls provide a rather harsh ride, and that TW 700 rating makes for less dry weather grip than we would like.

Given the current Prologue's GM-related shortcomings, you might want to wait for the imminent introduction of Honda's self-designed next-generation Prologue, which is scheduled to debut in 2026. This series of EVs will be Honda-engineered from the ground and carry the umbrella name Honda Zero Series.

2024 HONDA PROLOGUE AWD ELITE

• FRONT MOTOR: Permanent-Magnet Synchronous AC: 241hp
• REAR MOTOR: Induction AC: 90hp
• COMBINED HORSEPOWER: 288hp
• COMBINED TORQUE: 333 LB.FT.
• FUEL ECONOMY: 99MPGe City/84MPGe Highway
• ESTIMATED RANGE: 273 Miles
• PRICE AS TESTED: $59.750

HYPES: Striking Looks, Inside and Out

GRIPES: Too Much GM, Not Enough Honda

STAR RATING: 7 Stars out of 10

©2024 David E Colman