2024 Honda Prologue vs 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid

The 2024 Honda Prologue presented a design that was refreshingly close to traditional, especially for an electric vehicle. Its base EX trim offered five color options, while the Touring and Elite trims introduced Sonic Grey and a striking new color called "North Shore Pearl." This vibrant turquoise was perhaps the most eye-catching feature of the Prologue, which otherwise could blend into the background in more subdued colors. The front end was marked by the classic Honda "H" logo on a smooth black panel, indicating the absence of air-cooling needs. Honda provided various accessories, such as skid plates and side cladding, for those seeking a more rugged appearance. The Prologue's side profile appeared low due to its length, being 3 inches longer than the Honda Passport but 8 inches shorter in height. The large wheels, 19-inch standard and 21-inch on the Elite, emphasized the low roofline, while the new font spelling "Honda" across the back signaled Honda's venture into new propulsion methods.

Inside, the Elite trim of the Prologue offered a pleasant experience with a brown and black interior exclusive to the top trim, while a gray and black two-tone was available across all trims. The EX featured cloth seating, whereas the Touring and Elite boasted leather. The dashboard layout was reminiscent of other Honda models like the CR-V, Accord, and Civic, but without the honeycomb grille hiding the air vents. Instead, piano black plastic and upholstery material adorned the dash and doors. The interior felt upscale yet familiar, providing a sense of comfort and normalcy.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid, on the other hand, showcased a bold design that could polarize opinions. Its grille, spanning the entire front width, had a flat, faceless look that divided opinions. The Telluride's personality shifted with color and trim, with body-colored vertical strakes at the edges that could appear jarring in lighter shades but blended harmoniously in darker ones. The X-Line and X-Pro models replaced these strakes with rectangular grille blocks and featured distinctive amber accent lights. The side profile continued the bold theme with angular fender sculpting and black plastic tabs atop each wheel well, which some found unnecessary. The rear view adopted a different style, with rounded corners and vertical taillights reminiscent of a Range Rover.

Inside, the Telluride's interior was less controversial, featuring a simple horizontal dashboard layout with a modern, buttonless appearance. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim, equipped with the optional SX Prestige Executive package, offered a luxurious two-tone palette akin to Volvo's interiors. However, the silver buttons and cream-colored infotainment shortcuts were difficult to read. The seats, covered in synthetic leather and suede, had somewhat flat and firm cushions, which could be uncomfortable on long drives. The surrounding materials were of excellent quality, with options for engineered wood or carbon fiber trim surfaces.

The 2024 Honda Prologue offered both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The FWD, available on EX and Touring trims, featured a single-motor setup with 212 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, achieving a range of 296 miles with 19-inch wheels. The AWD, standard on the Elite trim, combined dual motors for 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 273 miles on 21-inch wheels and 281 miles on 19-inch wheels. The Prologue's 296-mile base range was best-in-class, though competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y offered longer-range versions. Honda emphasized authentic driving dynamics, and the Prologue delivered a familiar experience with minimal extra deceleration in the "Normal" regenerative braking setting. It also featured a one-pedal drive setting and a low setting for a typical driving experience. The Prologue's 121.8-inch wheelbase provided a comfortable ride, though road and wind noise were noticeable at highway speeds. Sport mode enhanced throttle, brake, and steering response, making the Prologue surprisingly fun to drive on winding roads.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with electric motors, producing 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a six-speed transmission and was not available in the off-road-capable X-Pro trims. The Telluride Hybrid offered a quiet ride, with seamless transitions between electric and gas power. The engine remained quiet even under hard acceleration, and the Hybrid's power was more than sufficient for most driving situations. Both Telluride models prioritized comfort, with the X-Pro Prestige trim providing a surprisingly smooth ride despite its off-road suspension. The Hybrid SX Prestige had a stiffer ride with 20-inch wheels, but the suspension managed to absorb bumps effectively. The Telluride was composed and controllable on winding roads, though not particularly sporty. The brake pedal effort was soft, requiring some adjustment, but brake response was immediate during panic stops.

The 2024 Honda Prologue featured traditional door handles, making the transition to EV ownership smoother for consumers. It offered 111.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, with impressive legroom of 39.4 inches in the second row and 41.4 inches in the first. Headroom was less generous, but reclinable rear seats and a panoramic moonroof helped create a more open feel. Heated front seats and dual-zone climate control were standard, with additional features like driver's seat memory, front seat ventilation, and a heated steering wheel available on higher trims. The Prologue's cargo area offered 25.2 cubic feet of space, expandable to 57.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. While it lacked a "frunk," it had a deep compartment beneath the load floor for additional storage.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid provided ample space for adults in all three rows, though the rearmost row was better suited for smaller passengers due to low seat cushions. The Hybrid SX Prestige trim with the Executive package featured power-adjustable second-row seats with heating and ventilation, offering comfort comparable to business-class airline seats. The middle-row seats had significant travel, allowing for more cargo or third-row legroom as needed. The Telluride's cargo capacity was competitive, with 22.3 cubic feet behind the third row and up to 89.3 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded. The Hybrid models lost only about one cubic foot of cargo space. The Telluride also offered practical storage solutions, including a large center bin, deployable cupholders, and door pockets.

The 2024 Honda Prologue came with standard keyless access, featuring a proximity key fob for EX and Touring trims and a card-format key for the Elite trim. It included a wireless charger, four USB-C ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, all accessible through an 11.3-inch infotainment screen. A separate 11-inch screen hosted the digital driver-information display, and a head-up display was available on the Elite trim. Google Built-In provided native Google Maps with route-planning features for EV charging. Touring and Elite trims featured a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system with Active Sound Control, adding artificial sounds to enhance the driving experience.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5-inch touchscreen for climate controls. The infotainment system included native navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and dual wireless phone chargers. While the system was user-friendly, it occasionally required hard taps and had some delays. The climate control screen was challenging to use while driving, but physical temperature control buttons were available. The Telluride offered customizable infotainment themes and a 14-speaker Meridian premium audio system on higher trims, delivering powerful and clear sound.

The 2024 Honda Prologue included the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies as standard, with new features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims offered additional features such as front-park assist, a surround-vision system, and rear pedestrian alert. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. While the Prologue had not yet been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, Honda aimed for top safety ratings.

The 2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid came with standard advanced safety features, including frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like a surround-view camera system and automatic reverse braking. The Telluride also included a driver attention monitor, though it occasionally triggered false alerts. The highway driving assist was particularly effective on long trips, maintaining lane position and speed smoothly.