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Prologue is Honda's first all-electric SUV: Sporty and spacious

Honda's first all-electric SUV will be called Prologue, and it will arrive at dealers in early 2024. The spacious, adventure-ready midsize SUV has an anticipated EPA range rating of 300 miles, will come in single- and dual-motor versions, and will run on available self-sealing tires. Not all of the details are out yet, but here's what else we know so far.

Prologue has the size and ground clearance that puts it squarely in the midsize SUV class. It boasts fun-to-drive dynamics; chunky styling with rounded edges; and generous interior space that makes it a solid fit for the Honda lineup. It definitely looks like a Honda. Prologue is built on a state-of-the-art electric vehicle platform, and it features multi-link front and rear suspensions optimized by Honda engineers to deliver a sporty driving experience with class-leading refinement.

Honda will offer Prologue in both single-motor (front-wheel-drive) and dual-motor (all-wheel-drive) configurations with three trim levels: EX, Touring, and Elite. The dual-motor arrangement generates an estimated 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque, delivering responsive and quick acceleration. Recharging on the go is quick and convenient with DC fast charging at rates up to 155 kW. Honda says Prologue's 85-kWh lithium-ion battery pack can recharge 65 miles of range in about 10 minutes.

Prologue's custom-tuned Active Sound Control adds to the drive experience by creating a seamless acceleration feel through the repetition of pleasant and expansive low- to high-frequency sounds linked to Prologue's acceleration and deceleration. The available Sport mode creates an even more engaging driving experience with quicker throttle and steering response, firmer steering, increased braking power, and other enhancements.

Targeting IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and NHTSA 5-star ratings, Prologue comes standard with the Honda Sensing suite of safety and driver-assistive technologies, including Honda's first applications of Rear Cross Traffic Braking, Blind Zone Steering Assist, and Rear Pedestrian Alert.

Class-leading standard features include the latest digital services technology with Google built in, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

Prologue styling was led by a team of designers in the Honda Design Studio in Los Angeles, who utilized virtual reality (VR) tools to create a simple and clean "neo-rugged" design concept. Prologue is low and wide with a sleek silhouette and a capable and planted stance, anchored by available 21-in. wheels -- the largest ever offered on a Honda. Prologue's seven available exterior colors include North Shore Pearl, a new color Honda says was inspired by the natural beauty and colors near Lake Tahoe, CA. Prologue also debuts a newly designed Honda name badge in a stylized typeface, which is a nice update.

Prologue's roomy interior and generous dimensions, including the longest wheelbase in its class (121.8 in.), position the SUV alongside the Passport in Honda's light-truck lineup. Prologue is about 8 in. longer and 5 in. wider than the CR-V.

Honda engineers optimized Prologue's aerodynamics to maximize efficiency and driving range, while reducing wind noise inside the cabin. Even the intricate design of the wheels and the curvature and departure angle of its rear spoiler minimize wake and reduce vortex.

Prologue's sporty and modern interior prioritizes comfort, usability, and a spacious cabin, while advancing the Honda design direction that has been so well received on Civic, HR-V, Accord, CR-V, and Pilot. Clean and simple with sleek horizontal lines, the cabin features high-quality materials and large buttons and knobs, with close attention paid to the operation of all switchgear and controls.

Honda interior designers have maximized the cabin's function and utility by creating a clever two-tiered center console with class-leading storage capacity, a flexible multi-use tray that enables driver and front seat passenger to sit two smartphones side by side, and a pair of massive cupholders that can accommodate large 32-oz bottles. The console also features Honda's first space-saving, pocket-type wireless smartphone charger, which is standard.

The uncluttered design; low, flat beltline; and generous dimensions give the cabin an open and airy feeling, especially when equipped with the available panoramic roof. With up to 136.9 cubic ft of interior space, including a notably larger front-to-rear-seat tandem distance than Passport, Prologue seats five comfortably. The rear seats feature two angles of recline.

Prologue offers plenty of room for everyone's gear with up to 25.2 cu.-ft of cargo space (EX) behind the rear seats, enough for three golf bags lying flat on the cargo floor. With the standard 60/40-split rear seatbacks folded flat, the cargo space expands to 57.7 cu.-ft. of space (EX). Hidden space under the cargo area floor adds another 0.5 cu.-ft. A power tailgate with hands-free access is standard on Touring and Elite.

Prologue EX features black and charcoal or charcoal and light-gray cloth upholstery with accent color stitching, an 8-way power driver's seat with two-way power lumbar, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, gloss black trim on the dash, and 19-in. wheels. Touring adds black and charcoal or charcoal and light-gray leather seating surfaces with accent color stitching, memory driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, and front and rear parking assist.

Prologue Elite comes with black and charcoal, brown, and black or charcoal and light-gray perforated leather seating surfaces with accent color stitching, front ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, Sport driving mode, 21-in. wheels, and more.

Prologue's tech-rich cabin features two high-def digital screens -- a standard 11-in. digital driver instrumentation display with a sleek hoodless design and an intuitive 11.3-in. touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Elite trims add a head-up display. Touring and Elite models get a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system engineered exclusively for Prologue. Fast and secure Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates to key vehicle computer modules is also included on all models.

Home Charging Stations (11.5 kW) and Portable Charging Kits (7.6 kW) are available with charging credits and installation incentives. Honda has recently entered a joint venture with six major automakers to create North America´s leading high-speed brand-neutral charging network in the United States and Canada. Expected to begin operation in summer 2024, the network will ultimately be one of the largest in the United States and Canada, targeting 30,000 charge points at 1,350 charging stations by 2030. The first stations will open next year in the United States.

Model-specific pricing has not been released. Honda only says, "Starting MSRP Upper 40,000" for all Prologues. If you are interested, sign up for updates at https://automobiles.honda.com/future-cars/prologue. You can start a reservation/pre-order on this site too after configuring your new Prologue and choosing a dealer.

Source: Honda

Published October 2023

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