In terms of initial quality, the new Honda Prologue electric SUV sadly ranks among the absolute worst of any new cars tested recently. And with only a few thousand miles clocked on the odometer, it doesn’t inspire confidence about how these vehicles will hold up over time—potentially destined to become environmentally unfriendly lithium paperweights sooner than hoped. The core issue isn’t its electric nature, but rather that this Honda Prologue, even in its top-tier Elite trim, presents itself as an overpriced and remarkably mediocre vehicle. However, is all the blame truly on Honda? This isn’t a Honda in its essence; it’s constructed on a Chevrolet platform, powered by a GM propulsion system. Historically, Hondas are known for their unwavering reliability. Therefore, some of the responsibility for this less-than-stellar automotive attempt may well fall on General Motors and its Chevrolet brand. If you believe this assessment is too critical, the detailed video review below might just change your perspective.
That introduction might be one of the most scathing paragraphs ever penned in a car review, but when you’re stepping into a vehicle with a $60,000 price tag, high expectations are not just reasonable, they’re necessary. And unfortunately, the Prologue falls drastically short. Instead of simply listing all the shortcomings and pervasive cheapness – which may sound exaggerated – let’s delve into a video showcasing some of the key issues discovered in the Honda Prologue’s interior.
Honda Prologue Interior Problems: A Video Tour
Image alt text: Front three quarter view of a North Shore Pearl 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite showcasing its exterior design.
The plastic material used throughout the center console and extending to the doors isn’t just reminiscent of an economy car; it feels more akin to the low-grade plastics found in a 15-year-old budget Hyundai Accent. It’s arguably the worst plastic quality encountered in any new vehicle recently reviewed, and alarmingly, it’s exceptionally susceptible to scratches and damage. This plastic, prominently featured on the console and doors, gave the impression of years of wear and tear, rather than just a few months of use in a test vehicle. Compounding the questionable material choices, the interior exhibited several noticeable rattles, an unwelcome surprise in a practically new test vehicle.
Ergonomic Missteps: Steering Wheel and Seating Discomfort
The steering wheel design incorporates large metal inlays, which initially appear upscale. However, their placement too close to the wheel’s edge becomes problematic. For drivers who prefer the 9 and 3 hand positions, these metal inlays intrude upon palm space, leading to discomfort. Furthermore, these metal accents are prone to temperature extremes, becoming uncomfortably cold in winter and likely excessively hot under summer sun. Their extended width makes them difficult to avoid, particularly for drivers with larger hands.
Image alt text: Close-up of the Honda Prologue’s interior highlighting the cheap plastic materials and build quality concerns in the dashboard and center console area.
Adding to the list of grievances, the tailgate operation includes a disconcerting amount of mechanical noise after it closes—an anomaly never before experienced in other vehicles, raising concerns about potential malfunctions. The loud, harsh clang upon closure is followed by several more seconds of unusual sounds, suggesting the mechanism isn’t operating smoothly or completing its cycle properly. Beyond the pervasive cheap plastics, the front seats are surprisingly undersized, even for a reviewer of modest stature (5’10”, 160 pounds). The support provided is minimal, reminiscent of a child’s car seat or one clearly not designed with adult ergonomics in mind. Despite being relatively slim, shoulder support is lacking as the bolsters are too narrow, and the seat base feels inadequately sized. During driving, even gentle cornering maneuvers result in significant torso movement and a sensation of sliding out of the seat.
Image alt text: Interior view of the 2024 Honda Prologue, focusing on the front seats and dashboard layout, emphasizing the underwhelming design and material quality.
Infotainment and Control Frustrations
The central infotainment display, while adequately sized and generally straightforward, presents some puzzling design choices. A particularly odd feature is the seek button for satellite radio, which inexplicably changes position on the screen after being pressed. This means that performing a simple task like changing radio channels requires unnecessary visual attention, as the seek icon moves from the left side to the center of the screen after the first press. The logic behind this moving seek button is completely unclear and adds an element of distraction to a routine operation. The steering wheel volume controls are located behind the three o’clock spoke on the right side, which are manageable once their position is learned. On the left side, a lever provides increased regenerative braking when pulled and held. However, this same lever frustratingly does not cycle through different levels of regenerative braking. Adjusting regen levels requires using a small electronic icon on the center display, a counterintuitive separation of closely related functions to opposite ends of the cabin.
Image alt text: The Road Beat’s review badge displayed on the infotainment screen of the 2024 Honda Prologue, pointing out usability issues with the interface.
Another peculiar design choice is consolidating the wiper controls onto the same stalk as the turn signals and high beams, utilizing two rotating switches for front and rear wipers. This arrangement appears to be an attempt to free up space on the right stalk for the PRND controls, but it results in an overly complex and fiddly system for operating the windshield wipers. Simple wiper operation, traditionally intuitive in most cars, is unnecessarily complicated in the Prologue, requiring deliberate and precise manipulation of small switches. This complexity introduces a noticeable learning curve. During the first nighttime drive in rainy conditions, the lack of illumination for the tiny icons on the stalk made it impossible to locate and activate the wipers—a first-time experience of wiper control confusion in any vehicle. Wiper operation should be straightforward and effortless, yet Honda has managed to make it unnecessarily challenging.
Image alt text: Rear seating area of the 2024 Honda Prologue, showing the spaciousness but also hinting at the overall basic interior quality.
Exterior Aesthetics: A Minor High Point
Are there any redeeming qualities to the Prologue? Visually, it presents an acceptable appearance, adopting a conventional SUV design that avoids the polarizing or unconventional aesthetics of some competitors like the Toyota bZ4X (described humorously as resembling a USB drive). While the wheel design and chosen color may not appeal to everyone, the Prologue manages to achieve a generally handsome and inoffensive exterior.
Image alt text: A look at the Honda Prologue Elite’s interior from the passenger side, further illustrating the design and material choices within the cabin.
Battery Performance and Real-World Range Discrepancy
Equipped with a substantial 85 kWh battery, utilizing GM’s Ultium architecture and design, and powered by a dual-motor electric system, the Prologue delivers a combined 288 horsepower and a claimed range of 273 miles. Initial acceleration from a standstill is brisk and responsive, particularly at lower speeds. However, performance noticeably diminishes above 50 MPH, where overtaking on highways requires considerable forethought. While the 0-60 MPH time of 5.5 seconds might suggest adequate performance, in real-world driving conditions, especially at higher speed limits, the Prologue feels far from quick.
Image alt text: Side profile of the 2024 Honda Prologue in North Shore Pearl, emphasizing its SUV proportions and stance.
The claimed range of 273 miles proves to be significantly overstated, at least under typical mid-November Sacramento conditions. With moderate use of the heater and a mix of driving environments, the actual range plummeted to a disappointing estimated 220 miles. The vehicle’s onboard computer indicated an energy consumption rate of just 2.4 miles per kWh, positioning it as one of the least efficient electric vehicles tested recently. This efficiency figure falls considerably short of competitors like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 or Volkswagen ID.4. Furthermore, despite being a relatively new EV release, the Prologue lacks compatibility with ultra-fast 350 kW chargers available to some rivals, resulting in longer charging durations at public charging stations.
Driving Dynamics: A Disengaged Experience
Hondas are typically known for their engaging driving dynamics, often surpassing counterparts from Toyota or Hyundai. Regrettably, the Prologue deviates from this tradition, offering a remarkably uninspired and detached driving experience. Despite steering that feels direct, the vehicle feels cumbersome and unwieldy, a sensation exacerbated by the thick A-pillar bases that create substantial blind spots, particularly at intersections. Ride quality is acceptable, and highway cruising is reasonably quiet, but the Prologue completely lacks the driving enthusiasm that characterizes most other Honda models. Remarkably, the vehicle tested immediately after the Prologue—a Toyota bZ4X, another electric SUV often criticized for its blandness—felt comparatively more engaging and responsive. Subjectively, the bZ4X also felt noticeably quicker in acceleration at speeds above 50 MPH. While the bZ4X is far from a benchmark in modern automotive design, it inadvertently highlighted the dynamic shortcomings of the Prologue.
Image alt text: Driver’s perspective of the Honda Prologue Elite’s interior, focusing on the steering wheel, instrument cluster, and overall cockpit layout, highlighting the mundane design.
Prologue to Disappointment: Final Verdict
As its name implies, the Prologue is intended to serve as an introduction to Honda’s electric vehicle future. However, if this were a book, it would be difficult to progress beyond this initial chapter. This Prologue feels like the introduction, main story, and epilogue rolled into one disappointing package—making it impossible to recommend. Its subpar build quality and underwhelming driving experience, coupled with a high price tag, are significant deterrents.
Initially, it seemed Honda might have taken a shortcut by not developing their EV from the ground up, suggesting a lack of effort or care. However, perhaps Honda is strategically sidestepping potential losses by leveraging another manufacturer’s EV platform. Given the financial challenges facing legacy automakers in the EV market, Honda might be pragmatically minimizing risk by partnering rather than pioneering. This approach might serve a strategic purpose, allowing Honda to enter the EV segment and satisfy market expectations without fully committing resources to potentially unprofitable ventures. However, from a consumer perspective, the Honda Prologue is a vehicle to skip. It feels like someone else’s story, and unfortunately, it’s not a positive one. To paraphrase a sentiment of disappointment: “I think I’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending.”
2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite
Price as-tested: $59,750
Pros: Decent exterior styling
Cons: Terrible build quality, Expensive
Main specifications and dimensions
- Powertrain:
- Dual-motor all-wheel drive
- Combined output: 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque
- 85 kWh Ultium lithium-ion battery
- 150 KW maximum DC fast charging
- Performance:
- EPA-estimated range: 273 miles
- Maximum towing capacity: 1,500 lbs
- Dimensions:
- Wheelbase: 121.8 inches
- Length: 192.0 inches
- Width: 78.3 inches
- Height: 65.2 inches
- Ground clearance: 8.1 inches
- Estimated weight: 5,273 lbs
- Cargo capacity: 23.7 cu.ft. (with all seats in place); 54.5 cu.ft. (maximum)
More Images of the 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite
Image alt text: Front view of the 2024 Honda Prologue AWD Elite, highlighting its grille and headlight design.
Image alt text: The Honda Prologue in North Shore Pearl paint, showcasing the color and vehicle’s overall form.
Image alt text: Detailed interior shot of the 2024 Honda Prologue Elite, focusing on the dashboard and infotainment system.
Image alt text: Rear seats of the Honda Prologue, emphasizing legroom and seat design.
Image alt text: Front seats of the 2024 Honda Prologue Elite, highlighting seat material and bolstering.
Image alt text: Close-up of the Honda Prologue’s dashboard and steering wheel, showing instrument panel and control layout.
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