Honda seems a few steps behind its rivals in terms of electrified vehicles. It currently has no EVs in its lineup, though there are hybrid versions of the Honda Accord and Honda CR-V. The automaker stopped producing the Honda Clarity fuel-cell car last year due to poor sales, but you could only buy it in California anyway.

Recently, teaser photos of Honda’s first electric SUV have been circulating online. While it promises to be a competitive entry in the segment, we still don’t have a confirmed release date. Here’s when you’ll probably be able to take home a Honda Prologue.

Reservations for the Honda Prologue start this year

According to a recent Honda news release, you’ll be able to pre-order a Honda Prologue in 2023. Honda didn’t detail which trims would be available at launch, but we do know that orders won’t be delivered until 2024.

To ensure the timeliness of these deliveries, Honda is partnering with LG Energy Solutions to build a new EV battery plant. The facility will be located in Ohio and is estimated to create 2,200 jobs.

Honda also plans to increase production for both the Accord Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid. By 2040, Honda wants to electrify its lineup completely both EVs and more fuel-cell vehicles. 

Here’s what we know about the Honda Prologue

The Prologue Elite featured by Honda has all-wheel drive and 21-in wheels. The automaker has also confirmed that lower trims will have front-wheel drive standard. Since it’s powered with GM’s Ultium battery pack, Car and Driver suspects that the Prologue will share similar specs with the Chevy Blazer EV. 

If that any indication, Chevy claims that the most powerful Blazer EV trim can reach 60 mph in under four seconds with 557 hp on tap. The Honda Prologue could also have between 250-320 miles of range.

The Prologue has seating for up to five passengers inside, yet it has an above-average wheelbase of nearly 122 in. That’s longer than the midsize Honda Passport, so we can expect the Prologue to have impressive legroom and cargo accommodations.

Honda says that the Prologue has over 102 cubic feet of cabin space, with an 11.3-in touchscreen in the center of the dashboard. We know that the Prologue Elite has a Bose stereo system thanks to Honda’s promotional images. We don’t know if the 11-in digital gauge cluster will be standard or optional. 

The Prologue also has a big center console and a panoramic sunroof. We can also see what might be a wireless charging pad, and wireless smartphone integration will likely be standard. Car and Driver thinks that the Honda Prologue will have a starting price of around $45,000.

Did Honda wait too long to develop an electric SUV?

Several of the Prologue’s rivals have been out for at least two model years, such as the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 5. This compact electric SUV offers a good selection of powertrain configurations and up to 303 miles of potential range. The dual-motor models with the extended-range battery pack are capable of 320 miles and get 266 miles of range.

The Kia EV6 has an optional 576-hp powertrain, plus beefier brakes and an electronic sports suspension for some more athletic handling. The Ford Mustang Mach-E also usually garners praise for its driving experience and the value it provides with so many standard features.

Honda’s electric SUV is definitely late to the game, and Honda SUVs typically aren’t known for their sportiness. However, shoppers are still willing to take chances on new Honda cars because of the brand’s reliable reputation. The Prologue’s styling is just as attractive as its peers: it just needs to offer satisfying performance and good tech to seal the deal.