Honda Enhances Prologue EV to Challenge Tesla
Honda has announced significant upgrades to its electric Prologue SUV for the 2025 model year, focusing on increased power and enhanced range, while maintaining the same base price. This move is aimed at intensifying the competition with Tesla in the electric vehicle (EV) market.
According to Honda, the Ultium-based Prologue achieved the position of the second-best-selling electric SUV in America during the final quarter of 2024. The enhancements for the 2025 model year are intended to build on this success. Notably, the base price remains at $47,400, despite upgrades. The key improvement is a newly developed front electric motor, which benefits both the front-wheel-drive (FWD) and dual-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD) Prologue models.
In a press release, Jessika Laudermilk, assistant VP of Honda National Auto Sales, stated, “When the Honda Prologue quickly soared to the top of the EV sales charts as one of the best-selling EVs in America, it was incredibly reassuring to hear buyers tell us the number one reason for their purchase was their trust for the Honda brand. For 2025, the Prologue will have even more driving range and power, further improving its class-leading combination of attributes our key competitors can’t match.”
The single-motor, FWD Prologues now boast 220 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Honda reports that the single-motor Prologue offers class-leading range, increasing by 12 miles on the EPA cycle, for a total of 308 miles. The AWD models also gain power, with output reaching 300 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque. The EX and Touring AWD Prologues can now travel 294 miles on a single charge, while the Elite model, equipped with larger wheels, offers a range of 283 miles.
All Prologue models feature a DC Fast charge capability of up to 150 kW. At peak charging, the Prologue can add 65 miles of range in approximately 10 minutes, according to Honda. Notably, the new Prologue is equipped with a North American Charging Standard connector, enabling access to the Tesla charging network. This allows for wider charging options for road trips. Furthermore, the vehicle remains eligible for the federal $7,500 EV incentive, which brings the base model’s price competitively close to the Tesla Model Y, in terms of both pricing and range. For consumers seeking an electric crossover, but preferring an alternative to Tesla or favoring Honda’s assembly quality and a more conventional interior design, the Prologue presents a viable option.
