Honda has been teasing the Prologue for what feels like an eternity as the first sketches were released in May of 2022 and those were followed by real-life pictures in October. Now, nearly a year later, the automaker has released additional details. One of the biggest reveals is pricing will start in the “upper US$ 40,000s” before incentives or tax credits. That suggests the model will cost somewhere between US$ 45,000 and US$ 50,000. We’ll learn full pricing details closer to launch, but pre-orders will begin later this year and be followed by deliveries in early 2024.
Besides providing ballpark pricing, Honda
announced the crossover’s available dual-motor all-wheel drive system will have
a combined output of approximately 288 hp and 451
Nm of torque. Customers will also be able to get a front-wheel drive variant,
which promises to deliver “confident acceleration and maximum efficiency.”
Speaking of the latter, Honda said one variant will have an EPA range of approximately 483 km. That’s a pretty respectable number and it’s enabled by an
85 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which can get 105 km of range in as
little as ten minutes thanks to a DC fast charging capability of up to 155 kW.
On the topic of charging, Honda said every
Prologue customer can select one of three available charging packages that are
included with vehicle purchase. The first is a US$ 750 public charging credit,
which should appeal to city dwellers and existing EV owners. Customers can also
choose between a 7.6 kW portable charging kit that comes paired with a US$ 250
installation incentive and a US$ 300 public charging credit or a 11.5 kW home
charging station that comes with a US$ 500 installation incentive and a US$ 100
public charging credit. Since the design is old news, we’ll simply note the
crossover has an aerodynamically optimized exterior that embraces soft curves
and flowing surfaces. 19-inch wheels come standard, although 21-inchers will be
available.
In terms of size, the model measures 4,877 mm long and has a wheelbase that spans 3,094 mm.
This makes the Prologue 74 mm longer than the Passport, even
though the model has a 277 mm longer wheelbase. Moving inside,
Honda did a good job of hiding the GM origins as the biggest giveaway is an
OnStar button. Three trims will be available and even the entry-level variant
will have an 11-inch digital instrument cluster as well as an 11.3-inch
infotainment system. The latter features Google built-in and this provides easy
access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and the Google Play store. Elsewhere,
there’s a two-tiered center console that promises to have a class-leading
storage capacity as well as two cup holders that can hold 32 oz. water bottles.
The crossover also comes equipped with a “space-saving pocket type wireless
smartphone charger” that looks similar to the one found on the Kia K5.
The Prologue EX also comes equipped with
heated front seats and an eight-way power driver’s seat with two-way power
lumbar support. Customers will also find gloss black trim and a dual-zone
climate control system. Buyers looking for more luxury can upgrade to the
mid-level Touring, which has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and black or
light gray leather seats. Other highlights include a hands-free power liftgate,
an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a panoramic sunroof, and a 12-speaker Bose
premium audio system.
The range-topping Prologue Elite comes
standard with all-wheel drive and the aforementioned 21-inch wheels. Buyers
will also find an upgraded interior with a heated leather steering wheel,
heated and ventilated leather front seats, and a head-up display. The model is
also notable for having a Sport mode, which promises an “even more engaging driving
experience with quicker throttle and steering response, firmer steering,
increased braking power and other enhancements.” Putting equipment aside, the
five-seat crossover has 714 liters of cargo space behind the
second-row. That can be expanded to 1,634 liters by folding
the rear seats down. The automaker also noted there’s an additional 14 liters of storage space hidden beneath the cargo floor.
Last but not least, the crossover comes
standard with a Honda Sensing suite of driver assistance systems. The automaker
didn’t go into specifics, but noted there will be Blind Zone Steering Assist,
Rear Pedestrian Alert, and Rear Cross Traffic Braking.
