Reputation is everything in the automotive industry. In the cutthroat, competitive field of cars, defects, recalls and bad quality in models rolled out to dealerships can mean life or death for any automaker.
Although many electric car buyers flock over to Tesla (TSLA) -), reported defects, issues with its car’s high-tech features and the volatile nature of Elon Musk puts the Texas-based brand at risk from being swallowed up by the competition.
For skeptical buyers, there is an alternative that is backed by a very familiar name and a reputation for consistent quality.
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Japanese auto giant Honda (HMC) -) has unveiled the Prologue, a midsize all-electric SUV that is brand new for the 2024 model year. In a package that is slightly larger than the brand’s popular CR-V, the car features rugged styling, a spacious interior and power and range that is set to be competitive with Tesla’s best-selling Model Y.
The Prologue is powered by either a single, or an available dual motor electric motor setup that provides up to 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque for responsive and quick acceleration. The motors are hooked up to what Honda calls a “state-of-the-art” electric vehicle platform that features a multi-link front and rear suspension tuned by their engineers to provide a sporty, yet refined driving experience.
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For the most spirited of drivers, the Prologue also has an available sport mode which enhances acceleration, braking and steering when activated.
The SUV also features what Honda calls “Active Sound Control,” a system that enhances the driving experience by supplementing the car’s acceleration “through the repetition of pleasant and expansive low to high frequency sounds” — code words for a simulated engine noise.
Honda says it is anticipating that the Prologue will have an EPA range rating of over 300 miles on a full charge and that the car will be compatible with DC fast charging.
Prologue’s exterior was designed by a team at Honda’s design studio in Los Angeles, who utilized virtual reality to create the present car. On the outside, the Prologue is given a sleek, yet muscular appearance with its low and wide stance.
On the inside, the Prologue is spacious and prioritizes comfort and the driving experience. Modeled after the interiors of Honda’s bestselling gas-powered lineup like the Civic, the Prologue features multiple screens, but still retains the simple tactile feel and ease of use that other Honda cars are well-known for. A digital gauge cluster is accompanied by an 11.3-inch infotainment screen that features Google built-in along with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay capabilities. The car will also feature over-the-air software updates.
Features available on higher trim models include a panoramic roof, power tailgate, front and rear parking assist, leather interior and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system engineered exclusively for the Prologue.
Honda expects to price the Prologue starting at around the upper-$40,000 range before any government incentives. The car will arrive on dealership lots in early 2024.
Though buyers seek to find innovation and technology elsewhere in the electric car space, what Honda brings to the table is a car engineered and built by the same people who made cars like the Accord — a car that made Car and Driver’s 10Best list a record 37 times.
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