Honda’s new flagship SUV, based on General Motors underpinnings, will offer almost 500km of range and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive.
Almost a year after it revealed the Prologue, Honda has now detailed its large electric SUV.
The Japanese automaker expects the 2024 Prologue crossover to offer a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) range of 483km.
It will go on sale in 2024, but at this stage has been confirmed only for North America. Honda is rolling out different EVs in China, Japan and Europe, and has said it won’t offer any in Australia until at least 2028.
The Prologue uses GM’s BEV3 architecture, which underpins models like the Cadillac Lyriq and upcoming Chevrolet Blazer EV.
The company has confirmed the dual-motor all-wheel drive version of the Prologue will offer 215kW of power and 451Nm of torque, but it hasn’t released figures for the single-motor front-wheel drive version.
The 85kWh lithium-ion battery pack can be charged at up to 155kW using a DC fast charger.
This architecture supports front-, rear- and all-wheel drive configurations, with all three offered in the Blazer EV, and features multi-link front and rear suspension.
The Prologue measures 4877mm long, 1989mm wide and 1643mm tall on a 3094mm wheelbase.
That’s the same wheelbase length as the Lyriq and Blazer EV, with the Prologue measuring 173mm longer, 123mm wider but 38mm lower than the new 2024 CR-V.
Much like the exterior, the Prologue’s cabin has similarly clean lines to new-generation Hondas like the latest Civic.
There’s a two-tiered centre console with what Honda claims is “class-leading storage capacity”, and the transmission shifter sits on the steering column to free up space. Two “massive” cupholders can accommodate 1L bottles.
There’s a standard 11-inch digital instrument cluster and 11.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Google built-in and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The Prologue will be the first Honda with active blind-spot assist and rear cross-traffic assist systems, as well as rear pedestrian alert.
Honda is aiming to get the highest possible safety ratings for the Prologue in the US: a Top Safety Pick+ score from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), and a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
In another first for a Honda, the Prologue will be available with 21-inch wheels. Other available equipment includes a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats, a 12-speaker Bose sound system, and a heated steering wheel.
While Honda is rolling out both the Prologue and Acura ZDX on General Motors underpinnings, it says it will introduce a “mid- to large-size EV model” on its e:Architecture in North America in 2025.
It’s unclear what shape this vehicle will take. Honda considers the Prologue to be a mid-sized SUV, like its petrol-powered two-row Passport and three-row Pilot crossovers.
