On the Road
It isn’t that often we get a pure electric vehicle to drive. Yes, they are out there, but the logistics of moving these models from journalist to journalist is quite challenging, especially when there are many miles between reviewers.
Happily, my time with the Honda Prologue followed Dan Neil, the Los Angeles Times automotive critic who lives in nearby Raleigh. This means the Prologue came to me at nearly full charge. Thanks, Dan…you made it easy!
On the flip side, I still don’t have a charging port at my home. That will change once I regularly receive EVs. In the meantime, my local fire station has two ChargePoint public charging stations. I’ve used it in the past…this time, I connected five times, adding 631 miles of range. Yes, I drove the electric Honda much further than I usually drive any vehicle, deciding to put this “pre-production” vehicle through the paces. Happily, the Prologue did not disappoint.
Getting Started
As with any electric vehicle, the key to starting it typically involves slipping behind the wheel, adjusting mirrors, and fastening the seatbelt. At this point, you’ll want to place your foot on the brake pedal, then push the ignition button. The dashboard alights and that’s your signal to engage the transmission.
The transmission is stalk activated. This means on the right side of the steering wheel you’ll “shift” the unit into gear. It is a single-speed transmission (or two) that turns the front wheels. Two transmissions are at work for all-wheel drive, which is what we had. And when you think “transmission,” you won’t do so in the normal context – these are electronic units placed on the axle(s) to turn the wheels.
The Honda Prologue moves forward quietly, but certainly not silently. Not only will you hear the tires move, but this EV comes with a low-pitch hum that activates at local speeds. It is necessary because an otherwise quiet vehicle is hazardous to pedestrians and cyclists.
Balanced Power
Honda could have designed the Prologue to throw down copious amounts of power to show off its torque prowess. But the company decided to try a more balanced effort in a bid to maximize range and stoke interest in its product. As a result, the Prologue delivers decent around town power and enough thrust on the highway when you need it.
The decision is a smart one, because the company is targeting Honda CR-V and Honda Passport owners who might consider an EV. Both models are prized for their efficiency and average power – nothing surprising, but everything dependable.
That dependability also means customers want very good range. And in that department, the Honda delivers. On paper, the Prologue delivers between 273 and 296 miles. When we fully replenished the Prologue, our range was 284 miles.
The posted range can be reached, but there are some caveats. For instance, the week we drove the Prologue involved temperatures in the mid-90s. Excessive heat (and cold) can impact battery strength. Some of our driving time, though, was in the relative cool of the morning. I say “relative” because temperatures were close to 80 degrees on most days.
Avoiding Idle
You also want to avoid idling the Prologue for too long, although that is extremely tempting to do. We did idle it for 30 minutes one day while eating lunch, enjoying a cool cabin while the climate control system worked at mid-throttle. No fumes to deal with, thus no safety issue. During that time, the range dropped by 5 miles, something to keep in mind.
Credit Honda with developing an EV that rides quietly and smoothly. Its long wheelbase ate up most road imperfections with ease. There was always ample power at the ready. That’s ideal for when accessing highways or passing traffic. Otherwise, we recommend engaging cruise control to maximize range.
The steering wasn’t quite as direct as what Honda drivers might expect, but it remained engaging nonetheless. This models stays planted even on curvy roads with only minimal swaying when taking corners. Lift your foot off the accelerator pedal and the Prologue automatically slows, sending kinetic energy to the battery. Likewise, step on the brakes and energy also shifts to the battery pack. As for the brakes themselves, they don’t have the squishy feel some hybrids and EVs deliver. They’re firm, but not sticky.
The Competition
The Honda Prologue shares its DNA with the Chevrolet Blazer EV. Beyond the architecture and battery systems, there are certain distinct differences. These include the body, interior, and the software managing everything. Consider the two models cousins.
Other EVs in the segment include the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV6, Volkswagen ID.4, and the Nissan Ariya. Of course, there are other electric utility vehicles to consider, but they’re either smaller (Toyota bZ4X) or larger (Kia EV9). Consider any model’s range, price, and tax credit availability when shopping for an EV.
Considering This Model
It took GM’s help for Honda to reach its goal of producing its first fully dedicated electric vehicle. Without the partnership, it would have taken Honda an additional two years to enter the market. That’s an exceedingly long wait in a market where EVs are emerging.
Honda’s design and engineering prowess is evident, enabling the Prologue to claim its own place in the market. Learning how best to replenish the battery is part of the ownership experience. Ideally, keeping the battery charged to 80 percent is best for battery health. That’s not always possible, but Honda does recommend not allowing the battery strength to fall below 20 percent.
The charge from 20 to 80 percent can easily be accomplished overnight with your Level 2 home charging connection. For quicker charging, connecting to DC fast charging narrows that same charge time to just 35 minutes.
With the federal tax credit, the cost of EV adoption is more affordable. Even so, buyers may find themselves paying $10,000 more for a Prologue, than for a gas-powered Passport. Choose the mid-range model and the gap narrows considerably, a fact that shouldn’t be lost on shoppers.
