Ford Escape vs Honda Prologue

Ford had made a concerted effort to reboot the Escape's image in 2023, redesigning the front end, adding new wheel options, reorganizing the trim lineup, and introducing next-generation infotainment and enhanced safety features. These updates were carried over to the 2024 Escape, making it significantly more attractive. Gone was the almost cartoonish grin of its previous incarnation. Instead, a more aggressive and modern look adorned the front of the SUV, though the rest of the body still exuded a generally pleasing, albeit somewhat bland, aesthetic. The 2024 Escape was available in six trim levels: Active, ST-Line, ST-Line Select, ST-Line Elite, Platinum, and Plug-in Hybrid. Ford had phased out the Base trim, pushing the starting price to $29,345 and topping out at $40,500, plus a $1,495 destination charge.

Our test model, the ST-Line Elite, arrived with Rapid Red paint, black 19-inch wheels, the Premium Technology Package, and a Panoramic Vista Roof, bringing the total sticker price to $43,650. Inside, upscale touches like diamond-stitched, perforated leather initially impressed but were let down by excessively glossy surfaces and stiff upholstery. The interior felt like a mixed bag that didn’t quite justify the high price tag. Small additions in attention to detail could have elevated it, but given the Escape's rumored end-of-life, it seemed unlikely.

The 2024 Honda Prologue, on the other hand, sported as "normal" a look as one could expect from any EV yet. While the base EX trim came in five colors, the Touring and Elite trims added Sonic Grey and the eye-catching North Shore Pearl, a vibrant turquoise. This new color was perhaps the most striking feature on an otherwise subdued design. The Prologue's front flaunted a traditional Honda "H" logo on a smooth, black panel that highlighted its EV nature without breaking the conventional mold. Honda offered a collection of accessories for personalization, giving buyers the option to imbue the Prologue with a more rugged appearance if desired.

The Prologue's length was more evident when viewed from the side, with its proportions resembling something more akin to a low-slung car than an SUV, due in part to its length exceeding the Honda Passport by 3 inches, although being 8 inches shorter in height. Larger wheels—19-inch standard or 21-inch on the Elite—highlighted its lower roofline. The new typographic treatment of the “Honda” name on the rear signaled the brand's venture into electric mobility.

Inside the Elite trim, the brown and black color scheme provided a warm contrast, although only available on the top trim. Gray and black were the standard two-tone options for all other trims. The EX trim featured cloth seating, while Touring and Elite offered leather upholstery. The dash design echoed the latest from Honda's stable, resembling the CR-V, Accord, and Civic but lacking the honeycomb grille hiding the air vents, favoring piano black plastic instead. The interior leaned slightly upscale while maintaining a classic and familiar feel.

The 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line Elite provided options for powertrains, including a 192-horsepower hybrid expected to achieve 39 mpg in combined driving and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, rated at 26 mpg combined. Our test model featured the turbo engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive (AWD), which included a driveline disconnect to optimize fuel efficiency. It offered driving modes like Eco, Normal, Sport, and Slippery, but notably lacked an Off-Road mode. When properly equipped, the turbocharged Escape could tow up to 3,500 pounds.

Despite its ST-Line moniker implying sportiness, the vehicle’s performance was somewhat lacking. It did offer quick acceleration, but the ride was more compliant and soft than sporty, leaving something to be desired in terms of handling and driving dynamics. The suspension allowed too much body motion, and while the brake pedal was responsive and easy to modulate, the steering felt sluggish and numb. For most users, the Escape’s comfortable but unremarkable dynamics would suffice for everyday driving tasks such as commuting and running errands.

Given the disappointments with the turbo engine’s contribution to the driving experience, opting for either the hybrid powertrain or a lower-tier Escape with the 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, which provided 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque, seemed to make more sense. The latter powered by either front-wheel drive (FWD) or AWD paired to the same eight-speed automatic, felt competitive within its segment. The hybrid variant promised better fuel savings over time.

The 2024 Honda Prologue, available in both FWD and AWD configurations, catered to different performance preferences. The FWD model featured a single-motor setup delivering 212 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, available on EX and Touring trims with 19-inch wheels, and boasted the highest range at 296 miles. The AWD version, standard on the Elite and optional on EX and Touring, used a dual-motor configuration with 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque, offering a range of 273 miles on the Elite’s 21-inch wheels and 281 miles on the 19s.

The base 296-mile range made the Prologue best-in-class among similar rivals. Honda emphasized preserving its signature driving dynamics in the Prologue, which felt familiar and intuitive during our tests. The vehicle offered multiple regenerative braking settings, including a one-pedal drive configuration, to cater to varying driving preferences, adding a layer of versatility for those transitioning to EVs for the first time.

At highway speeds, while the cabin wasn’t as serene as Honda suggested, the noise levels reinforced the EV’s conventional feel. Sport mode enhanced throttle, brake, and steering response, adding an element of enjoyment, especially on winding roads. Overall, the Prologue’s performance was notably enjoyable, considering its size and electric powertrain.

For the 2024 Ford Escape ST-Line, buyers had to appreciate the black interior, as it was the only option available. The standard upholstery combined cloth inserts with artificial leather bolsters, accented by red stitching for a sporty touch, though leather was optional in higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. Our test model offered numerous amenities, including ambient lighting, dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated front seats. Unfortunately, the leather seats, despite their fancy look, failed to impress in comfort.

The Escape’s front seats were generously sized and supportive over longer rides, and the height-adjustable front passenger seat was a pleasant, albeit rare, feature. Sliding the back seat into its rear position provided comfort for rear passengers, though rear storage fell short. Cargo volume measured 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats (34.4 for the hybrid), expanding to 65.4 cubic feet with the seats folded down (60.8 cubic feet for the hybrid). Our model’s deep side storage bins and grocery bag hook added utility.

Honda’s Prologue offered a traditional approach to the EV experience, right down to using standard door handles. Its cabin provided 111.7 cubic feet of passenger space, a notable increase over stablemates like the Cadillac Lyriq. Legroom figures stood out, with 39.4 inches in the second row and 41.4 inches in the front. While headroom was less impressive at 39.6 inches in the front and 38.1 inches in the rear, reclinable rear seats and a panoramic moonroof (standard on the Touring and Elite) helped open up the perceived space.

Standard features included heated front seats and dual-zone climate control, with the Touring adding driver’s seat memory and the Elite including front seat ventilation and a heated steering wheel. The center console provided two-tier storage, and the spaciousness accommodated personal items efficiently.

The hands-free power liftgate on the Touring and Elite revealed a 25.2 cubic-foot cargo area with a flat load floor, expandable to 57.7 cubic feet. Honda’s Prologue lacked a frunk but offered a deep cargo compartment under the load floor, enhancing practicality.

Comparing cargo capacities, the Ford Escape provided more initial space behind the rear seats but less overall expandable space compared to the Honda Prologue.

Digital instrumentation was standard on the 2024 Ford Escape, starting with an 8-inch display in lower trims and upgraded to a 12.3-inch screen in higher trims like the ST-Line Elite. Our test vehicle featured the latter, delivering visually pleasing graphics and substantial data.

However, the standout was the 13.2-inch Sync 4 infotainment system presented in a landscape format. The layout was intuitive, though the overall display appeared washed out, with thin fonts that were challenging to read at a glance. Climate controls embedded in the screen were also less than ideal.

Lower trims of the Escape featured an 8-inch display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM 360L, and FordPass Connect services, including Wi-Fi hotspot access. The larger touchscreen added Amazon Alexa and a subscription to connected navigation. The available Bang & Olufsen premium sound system in our test unit couldn’t be fully assessed due to damaged speakers. Sync 4’s performance was a mixed bag, marred by input lag and an excessively hot wireless charger, though it did excel in voice recognition.

The test vehicle included an optional head-up display (HUD), which projected information onto a clear plastic piece rising from the dashboard. This feature was part of the optional Premium Technology Package, which also included leather seats, the premium sound system, and Active Park Assist 2.0.

For the 2024 Honda Prologue, keyless access was standard, utilizing a proximity key fob for EX and Touring trims and a card-format key for the Elite. Wireless chargers, four USB-C ports, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, displayed via an 11.3-inch infotainment screen. The Elite trim featured a head-up display and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, enhancing the user experience.

Google Built-In came standard, incorporating Google Maps with route planning and battery preconditioning for fast charging. The Prologue’s Active Sound Control added artificial sounds to accompany driving actions, particularly in Sport mode, enhancing the sporty feel.

The 2024 Ford Escape came standard with a suite of safety features under the Ford Co-Pilot360 umbrella. This included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high beams. Additional features in our ST-Line Elite included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, evasive steering assist, lane-centering assist, and a 360-degree camera system.

Performance of these systems varied. On the Pacific Coast Highway, lane-keeping and speed adaptation were inconsistent, resulting in occasional frustration. However, on the freeway, these technologies were more effective, proving useful in stop-and-go traffic.

The 2024 Ford Escape garnered favorable ratings from NHTSA, earning five stars in most categories but four stars for rollover resistance. IIHS ratings were mostly “Good,” with a “Marginal” score in the new side-impact test.

Honda Sensing technologies were standard on the Prologue, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Newly introduced features were rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. The Prologue’s higher trims offered additional features such as front-park assist, a surround-view system, and rear pedestrian alert.

As of this writing, the Prologue hadn’t been rated by IIHS or NHTSA but aimed for Top Safety Pick+ and five-star overall ratings, respectively.