Honda has finally built a proper electric SUV, and the result is called the Prologue. It’s clean, competent, and—if we’re being honest—about ten years overdue. But late or not, the 2025 Honda Prologue is the company’s first real step into EV territory, and it’s a strong one. The question is: does it deliver the real-world range and performance to compete with the likes of Tesla, Hyundai, and Ford? Or is this just Honda dipping its toe in the water before the cannonball?
The Big Picture
Before we get into the numbers, understand what the Prologue is meant to be. It’s not a futuristic concept car with butterfly doors and 800-volt charging. It’s a midsize SUV for people who just want an electric car that still looks like a normal car. It seats five, it looks like a proper SUV, and it wears a Honda badge that promises reliability over gimmicks.
Underneath, the Prologue rides on General Motors’ Ultium platform—the same bones as the Chevrolet Blazer EV—but with Honda-specific tuning and design. Think of it as a joint venture between two old dogs that have finally learned a new trick.
Honda Prologue Specs
Every Prologue packs an 85-kilowatt-hour battery. However, power depends on the trim and drivetrain. Front-wheel-drive versions make a respectable 212 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. All-wheel-drive versions—found on EX, Touring, and Elite trims—jump to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft. That’s plenty of pepper for a family hauler, even if it won’t pin you to the seat like a Tesla Model Y Performance.
Range is where the Prologue starts making sense. Honda claims up to 308 miles for the front-wheel-drive model, 294 miles for the all-wheel-drive, and 283 miles for the top-tier Elite trim. Those aren’t record-breaking numbers, but they’re perfectly respectable—especially considering the Prologue’s size and price.
Charging is similarly solid. On a 150-kilowatt DC fast charger, Honda says you can add about 65 miles of range in 10 minutes, or go from 20 to 80 percent in roughly 35 minutes. That’s not segment-leading, but it’s fast enough for a lunch stop or coffee break on a road trip.
Design: Familiar, But Finally Confident
The Prologue doesn’t scream “EV.” And that’s the point. It looks like a Honda should—clean, quietly handsome, and totally inoffensive. The long wheelbase and wide stance give it a planted look, while the short overhangs and flush surfaces keep it modern without getting weird. It’s the kind of design that should age well because it never tried too hard.
8/10
- Model
-
Prologue
- Engine
-
Single or dual electric motors
- Transmission
-
Single-speed automatic
Inside, Honda plays to its strengths: function over flash. The dash is simple, with an 11-inch digital gauge cluster and an 11.3-inch central touchscreen running Google Built-In. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, physical knobs for the climate controls (won’t He do it!), and materials that feel solid even if they’re not fancy.
Performance: Decent, But Nothing Shocking
The Prologue’s dual-motor setup delivers enough torque to get off the line quickly, but power delivery is linear and calm. It’s not going to embarrass a Mustang Mach-E GT, but it’ll merge onto the highway without any drama.
The steering is light but accurate, and the chassis feels composed over broken pavement. Weight is the enemy of every EV, but Honda’s tuning hides most of it. The Prologue corners with confidence and rides quietly—exactly what you’d want for a family SUV that might spend more time in Costco’s parking lot than on a canyon road.
The only mild letdown? Brake feel. Like most EVs, the regenerative system makes the pedal a little numb, especially in the default drive mode. It’s not bad—it just takes a day or two to adapt.
Real-World Range: The Numbers Behind The Numbers
Every automaker loves to quote big range figures, but the real-world story is often messier. The Prologue’s EPA estimates—283 to 308 miles depending on trim—sound solid on paper. In reality, there’s a decent chance those could be a bit smaller. But just like MPG, electric range is largely dependent on how you drive, weather, landscape, and more.
Drive gently in mild weather, and you could top 300 miles. Crank the A/C, hit 80 mph, or climb into the mountains, and you might see closer to 220. It’s the usual EV tradeoff: range depends as much on you as it does on the car.
The good news is that the Prologue seems consistent. Owners and early testers report that range estimates are honest and predictable. That’s more than you can say for some rivals. You won’t suddenly lose 50 miles just because the wind changed direction.
Another plus: efficiency. The AWD Prologue returns about 3.1 miles per kWh, which is competitive with most midsize EVs. It’s no hyper-miler, but it doesn’t cost like the super-long-range EVs do.
The Honda Prologue Can Fully Charge In 10 Hours
The Prologue’s 150-kilowatt charging peak puts it squarely in the “good enough” camp. It’s not Hyundai Ioniq 5-fast, but it’s quicker than older EVs like the VW ID.4. More importantly, the Prologue’s charging curve stays relatively strong past 50 percent, meaning you don’t lose too much speed mid-session.
At home, you’ll be looking at about 10 hours to fully recharge from empty on a Level 2 charger. Honda is partnering with several charging networks—Electrify America and EVgo among them—to give new owners access to thousands of public chargers nationwide.
In practice, that means you can comfortably road-trip if you plan your stops. The car’s built-in Google Maps will even route you to compatible chargers automatically. It’s the kind of quiet convenience Honda has always excelled at.
How The Honda Prologue Compares To Other EVs
The Prologue lands right in the middle of the EV field. It’s not as quick as a Tesla Model Y or as stylish as a Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it’s better built than both. It’s quieter than the Mustang Mach-E and more comfortable than the Chevy Blazer EV it’s based on.
Range-wise, it trails the long-range Model Y (up to 330 miles) but beats the Ford’s 250-mile figure. It’s also priced competitively: starting around $48,000 for the EX trim and climbing to about $59,000 for the loaded Elite AWD.
The bigger point, though, is that the Prologue feels cohesive. Some EVs try to wow you with features, but the Honda just works. The seats are comfortable, the tech is straightforward, and the driving experience is calm. It feels like a Honda first, and an EV second—and that’s exactly what the company wanted.
What Matters Most To EV Buyers
Specs tell one story, but living with an EV tells another. The Prologue’s biggest strength is how unremarkable it is. You don’t have to learn new habits or baby the range. You just drive it, charge it, and move on with your day. It’s quiet, smooth, and doesn’t need a lot of attention.
In the real world, that’s what most buyers want. The Prologue isn’t trying to make a statement. It’s trying to make your commute easier. And in that sense, it might be one of the most honest EVs on sale.
Verdict: The Sensible Start Honda Needed
Honda didn’t reinvent the wheel with the Prologue. They just built a solid, well-rounded electric SUV—and honestly, that’s exactly what they needed to do. The specifications are strong, the range is realistic, and the driving experience feels familiar in the best possible way.
If you want outrageous acceleration or cutting-edge tech, there are flashier options. But if you want a calm, capable EV that delivers what it promises—and does it without drama—the 2025 Honda Prologue might be the most convincing electric SUV yet.
Source: Honda, CarBuzz, MotorTrend