Are the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX Meant to Just Kick the Can Down the Road?
The EV SUV market is expanding, with both Honda and Acura introducing new all-electric SUVs. Honda has the upcoming Prologue, whereas Acura has the ZDX. However, both vehicles come from partnerships with General Motors. Additionally, both SUVs draw heavy inspiration from the GM EV program, with one even including Super Cruise. Because of this, it’s a bit difficult to be excited about either the Prologue or the Acura ZDX.
However, many are beginning to wonder if this may be intentional on the parts of Honda and Acura.
Does Honda or Acura really want to develop a brand new EV?
Honda has been late to the EV party. However, the automaker still needed an entryway into this blossoming segment of the automotive market. Because of this, rather than spend an obscene amount of money on developing its own first-generation all-electric car, Honda has, in a sense, partnered with GM for its first all-electric SUV, the Prologue.
Not only does it use GM’s Ultium battery pack, but it was jointly developed with the General Motor’s design team. In fact, many may notice similarities to the Chevy Blazer EV. The same is true for the Acura ZDX, as it’s also the result of a partnership between Acura and GM. With advanced technology, the design team was able to design an electric SUV but make it something that drives like a Honda or an Acura.
Besides not wanting to fork over the cash to develop an EV, Honda and Acura didn’t want to repeat the failures of automakers like Toyota. Take the Toyota BZ4X as an example because, by all standards, this SUV failed on the market. No one talks about it, and you hardly ever see it on the roads.
Instead of doing this, these automakers wanted sure-fire hits before they went out on their own to create an all-electric SUV.
A look at the 2024 Honda Prologue
According to Honda, there will be multiple configurations of the 2024 Honda Prologue. A single electric motor will power the two wheel drive models while the all-wheel drive versions will use a dual motor electric setup. The dual motor powertrain will have a maximum output of 288 horsepower and a torque of 333 lb-ft. Regarding the battery pack, it’s an 85 kWh unit from GM’s Ultium line of batteries.
Honda also promises a smooth experience with charging. According to the automaker, a DC fast charger will add 65 miles to the battery in only ten minutes. Additionally, Honda is offering three different charging packages for buyers to choose one from, which are the following:
- A Home Charging Station along with $100 Public Charging Credit, plus $500 Installation Incentive
- A Portable Charging Kit and $300 Public Charging Credit, plus $250 Installation Incentive
- $750 Public Charging Credit
The 2024 Honda Prologue will also have advanced technology as it will be the first SUV from the automaker to have Google Built-in. Additionally, the SUV will feature an 11.3 inch touchscreen and an 11 inch digital driver instrumentation display.
Overall, the Prologue should be a solid vehicle, but it’s still not designed to move things forward as it’s more of a safe bet for Honda.
What does the 2024 Acura ZDX offer
As mentioned before, the 2024 Acura ZDX also has strong ties to General Motors. The upcoming SUV features a 102 kWh Ultium battery pack, which allows a 190 kWh peak charging rate with a DC fast charger. This SUV will have two main trims, the A-Spec and the Type S. The A-spec trim should have a range of 325 miles on a single charge with a maximum output of 340 horsepower, while the Type S should offer 288 miles and 500 horses.
The inside of the 2024 Acura ZDX also promises a luxurious experience. Not only is it spacious, but it looks wonderfully upscale. The interior technology includes an 11.3-inch touchscreen, an 11-inch digital gauge cluster, and an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen system. Additionally, the Acura ZDX includes GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving.
Overall, both the 2024 Honda Prologue and the 2024 Acura ZDX could be solid SUVs. However, both vehicles are blatant examples of kicking the can down the road. Neither SUV is wholly new or original, but it seems this may be intentional because it gives Acura and Honda buyers a familiar vehicle with a modern twist. This is, of course, until either automaker is ready to go out on its own with an original EV.
