Honda unveils the Prologue, its first electric SUV
Honda has unveiled the design of the Prologue, its first electric SUV and a vehicle codeveloped with General Motors.
Like most of its Japanese peers in the auto industry, Honda has been a laggard when it comes to all-electric vehicles.
The automaker focused too much on hydrogen fuel cells and hybrids, which resulted in a very small offering of all-electric models and virtually nothing in North America.
Since Honda stopped production of the Clarity Electric in 2019, the automaker had no all-electric vehicle in the US.
For years now, Honda has been teasing its first new EV, the Prologue, codeveloped with GM.
Today, Honda finally fully unveiled the design of the Prologue:
Honda today offered the first look at the exterior and interior styling of the all-new Honda Prologue battery-electric SUV that will come to market in North America in 2024. The Prologue design features clean and simple “Neo-Rugged” exterior and interior styling and ample interior space that’s ready for adventure inside and outside the city limits.
Here’s the exterior design of the Honda Prologue:
Here’s the interior design of the Honda Prologue electric SUV:
Honda did release some more details about the design in a press release, including the fact that it’s going to be bigger than its popular CR-V:
Prologue was conceived as a modern and fresh design that will feel at home in the showroom with existing Honda SUVs. Prologue’s generous dimensions and roomy interior position the SUV alongside the Passport in Honda’s light truck lineup. Prologue will have a wheelbase of 121.8-inches, and is about 8-inches longer and 5-inches wider than the all-new 2023 Honda CR-V.
The Prologue will have a generous interior, which will provide ample space for passengers and cargo. Showcasing a tech-rich cabin, the Prologue will have a standard fully digital 11-inch driver display panel and an 11.3-inch audio/connectivity display.
Here are the dimensions of the Prologue:
| Exterior Measurements | Inches |
| Wheelbase | 121.8 |
| Length | 192.0 |
| Width | 78.3 |
| Height | 64.7 |
| Wheel Diameter | 21 |
Unfortunately, Honda didn’t release the specs of the Prologue, though it is expected to be something similar to the Chevy Blazer EV since Honda is using GM’s Ultium EV platform.
There’s still plenty of time for that information to come out since the electric SUV is not scheduled to hit the market until 2024.
Electrek’s Take
It looks sharp. It’s not a bad-looking SUV.
However, I think Honda is flirting with bankruptcy with its EV plan.
The automaker released this timeline for its electric vehicles in North America:
- 2024: Begin sales of the Honda Prologue, co-developed with GM
- 2026: Begin sales of Honda models based on Honda e:Architecture to be produced by Honda in North America.
- 2027: Begin sales of a new series of affordable EVs codeveloped with GM, also produced by Honda in North America.
Nothing until 2024 – and that’s something using GM’s technology – and then its own EV built from the ground up won’t come until 2026.
To me, that sounds like too little too late, and they are basically giving up on the North American market. By 2026, I don’t think there’s going to be anyone in their right mind that would buy anything else than an all-electric vehicle if they are in the market for a new car.
It doesn’t sound like Honda is going to be ready for that.
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Tesla’s retro-futuristic diner with Superchargers and giant movie screens is ready to open, and I have to admit, it looks pretty sick.
This project has been in the works for a long time.
In 2018, Elon Musk said that Tesla planned to open an “old school drive-in, roller skates & rock restaurant at one of the new Tesla Supercharger locations in Los Angeles.” It was yet another “Is he joking?” kind of Elon Musk idea, but he wasn’t kidding.
A few months later, Tesla applied for building permits for “a restaurant and Supercharger station” at a location in Santa Monica. However, the project stalled for a long time, apparently due to local regulations.
Nevertheless, Tesla still moved forward with a Supercharger at the location, but it had to move the diner project to Hollywood. In 2022, Tesla filed the construction plans with the city, giving us the first look at what the automaker intends to build.
In 2023, the automaker broke ground on the site of the diner.
7 years after being originally announced, the project appears now ready to open:
Musk said that he ate at the diner last night and claimed that it is “one of the coolest spots in LA.” He didn’t say when it will open, but Tesla vehicles have been spotted at Supercharger and people appear to be testing the dinning experience inside.
A Tesla Optimus Robot can be seen inside the diner on a test rack. It looks like Tesla might use one for some tasks inside the diner.
Earlier this year, Tesla integrated the diner into its mobile app – hinting at some interaction through the app – possibly ordering from it.
Electrek’s Take
I think it looks pretty cool. I am a fan of the design and concept.
However, considering the state of the Tesla community, I don’t think I’d like the vibes. That said, it looks like Tesla isn’t prominently pushing its branding on the diner.
You can come and charge there, but it looks like Tesla is also aiming to get a wider clientele just for dining.
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Hyundai’s electric minivan is finally out in the open. The Staria EV was caught without camo near Hyundai’s R&D center in Korea, giving us a closer look at the electric minivan undisguised.
Hyundai’s electric minivan drops camo ahead of debut
The Staria arrived in 2021 as the successor to the Starex, Hyundai’s multi-purpose vehicle (MPV). Although the Staria has received several updates throughout the years, 2026 will be its biggest by far.
Hyundai will launch the Staria EV, its first electric minivan. Like the current model, the 2026 Staria will be available in several different configurations, including cargo, passenger, and even a camper version.
We’ve seen the Staria EV out in public a few times already. Last month, we got a glimpse of it while driving on public roads in Korea.
Despite the camouflage, new EV-like design elements were visible, including updated LED headlights and a full-length light bar. Although it’s still unclear, the electric version appears to be roughly the same size as the current Staria from the side, but slightly wider from the front.
New images posted on the South Korean forum Clien reveal a test car, expected to be Hyundai’s Staria electric minivan, without camo.
Like most Hyundai test cars, the prototype has a black front and a grey body. It still features a similar look to other prototypes we’ve seen, but you can clearly see the new facelift.
Earlier this year, a Staria EV was spotted in a parking lot in Korea, featuring a similar look. The electric version is nearly identical to the Staria Lounge, but with an added charge port and closed-off grille.
The Hyundai Staria EV is expected to make its global debut later this year. Technical details have yet to be revealed, but it’s expected to feature either a 76 kWh or 84 kWh battery, providing a range of around 350 km (217 miles) to 400 km (249 miles).
Hyundai’s electric SUV arrives after Kia introduced its first electric van, the PV5, which launched in Europe and Korea earlier this year.
In Europe, the Kia Passenger PV5 model is available with two battery pack options: 51.5 kWh and 71.2 kWh, providing WLTP ranges of 179 miles and 249 miles, respectively. The Cargo version has a WLTP range of 181 miles or 247 miles.
Source: TheKoreanCarBlog, Clien
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