Revolutionizing the Road: Honda's Prologue E-SUV Set to Electrify America in 2024

Honda has unveiled its

The Prologue E-SUV is Honda's second foray into the electric vehicle market in the USA, following the underwhelming Honda Clarity EV, which had a paltry range of just 89 miles (143 km). To address this limitation, Honda has adopted General Motors' scalable Ultium EV platform for both the Prologue and Acura ZDX, significantly improving their electric capabilities.

The Prologue E-SUV boasts an intriguing design, with a wider stance compared to its height. Black body cladding adds a sense of visual compactness, and its substantial dimensions, including a length of 4876 mm and a wheelbase of 3093 mm, give it a touch of station wagon flair. The long wheelbase results in short front and rear overhangs. Honda has opted for a clean and understated design, exuding a sense of refined elegance.

In the USA, the Prologue E-SUV will be available in three trim levels: the base EX trim, the mid-spec Touring, and the top-spec Elite. While the EX and Touring trims offer the AWD option, the Elite trim comes with AWD as standard. Depending on the trim level, there will be up to seven exterior color choices. The Elite variant stands out with its stylish 21-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, LED daytime running lights (DRLs), and signature LED taillights.

Inside the Prologue E-SUV, Honda has equipped it with a range of premium features, including heated and ventilated front seats, a power-adjustable driver's seat with memory function, an auto-dimming interior rearview mirror, perforated leather upholstery, a high-quality 12-speaker Bose audio system, a heated steering wheel, a heads-up display (HUD), an 11-inch fully digital and customizable instrument cluster, an 11.3-inch infotainment screen, a panoramic sunroof, and more. The infotainment system features Google software and supports Apple CarPlay. Higher trim levels will offer multiple advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) features. The gear selector is mounted on the steering column, contributing to an uncluttered center console. Climate control is managed through rotary dials and buttons, providing a user-friendly interface. While there isn't a front trunk (frunk), the Prologue E-SUV offers a generous 707-liter boot capacity, expandable to 1642 liters.

In terms of specifications, the Honda Prologue E-SUV comes with a standard single-motor FWD layout and an 85 kWh battery. Performance figures for the FWD version have not been disclosed, but a similarly configured Chevrolet Equinox EV produces 210 bhp and 329 Nm of torque. The AWD model with dual motors, on the other hand, delivers a robust 288 bhp and 451 Nm of torque. Honda has not officially revealed the range yet, but it is estimated to be around 280 miles (450 km) on a single charge. Thanks to its high-voltage architecture, the Prologue E-SUV supports fast DC charging up to 155 kW, allowing for a range gain of 65 miles (104 km) in just 10 minutes. Additionally, there is an 11.5 kW home charger and a 7.6 kW portable charger available.

Pricing for the Honda Prologue E-SUV is expected to range between USD 45,000 and USD 60,000 (approximately Rs. 37.42 lakh to Rs. 50 lakh). It's unlikely that the Prologue will be launched in India, but we can anticipate an electrified version of the Elevate SUV in the Indian market.