Hyundai Tucson vs Honda Prologue

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson continued to impress with its fourth-generation design, first introduced in 2022. Its styling was bold and contemporary, marked by sharp angles and a distinctive design flair like headlights that seamlessly blended into the grille. This cohesive design gave the Tucson an athletic and sharp presence, even in typically unimpressive colors like white. Trim levels for the Tucson included SE, SEL, XRT, and Limited. Each trim brought its unique exterior touches, from the standard 17-inch alloy wheels and roof rails on the SE to the dark chrome grille and upgraded headlights on the Limited.

Inside, the Tucson’s cabin carried forward the modern and refined aesthetic. It boasted a tech-savvy but approachable layout, although some design choices like the absence of a volume dial on the infotainment system were less favored. Standard features ranged from dual USB ports and remote keyless entry on the SE to ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof on the well-equipped Limited trim.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Honda Prologue aimed for a more conservative design. Available in trims like EX, Touring, and Elite, it featured traditional door handles and minimalist styling cues. The front end, marked by a smooth black panel and centered Honda badge, epitomized its seamless EV design. Unique colors like “North Shore Pearl” provided an eye-catching option. From the side, the Prologue appeared low and long, aided by large wheels that emphasized its proportions.

Inside the Prologue, the Elite trim stood out with a brown and black interior, while other trims offered two-tone options. The layout mirrored other new Honda models with a straightforward dash design. Leather seating was standard on higher trims, and the panoramic moonroof opened up the cabin space. The Prologue’s design philosophy extended to its practical and familiar interior, setting the stage for a comfortable user experience, albeit with a hint of luxury.

The 2024 Hyundai Tucson featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, drove either the front wheels or all four wheels via an available AWD system. While it was adequate for daily driving, it struggled with highway speeds and passing maneuvers. More powerful options like the 226-hp Tucson Hybrid and 261-hp Tucson Plug-In Hybrid were available, though they came with a proprietary button-style shifter design.

Despite its engine's modest output, the Tucson shined with its driving dynamics. The ride quality was comfortable, and it handled corners with well-weighted and precise steering. Although it wasn't as sporty as rivals like the Mazda CX-5, its well-rounded nature made it a solid choice.

On the other hand, the 2024 Honda Prologue offered both FWD and AWD configurations. The FWD model, available on EX and Touring trims, utilized a single-motor setup delivering 212 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque, achieving a range of 296 miles on 19-inch wheels. The AWD version combined dual motors to produce 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 273 miles on 21-inch wheels. The driving dynamics felt familiar to Honda drivers, with modes for varying levels of regenerative braking.

The Prologue provided the best-in-class base range, though it lacked extended-range versions compared to competitors like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y. The long wheelbase made for a comfortable ride, though road and wind noise were noticeable at higher speeds. Sport mode added to the driving excitement, particularly in challenging conditions like winding roads.

The Hyundai Tucson's interior space was generous, offering up to 74.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, and 38.7 cubic feet with the seats in use. These figures were impressive, second only to the Honda CR-V in its class. The hands-free power liftgate on all trims but the base SE made loading and unloading quite convenient, eliminating the need for balancing acts often required by other systems.

Passenger space in the Tucson was adult-friendly in both rows, featuring ample headroom and legroom. The front seats were especially spacious, making long trips comfortable for all occupants. Extensive storage options, including deep cup holders and a center tray, added to the practicality.

In comparison, the Honda Prologue's cabin delivered 111.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, surpassing its platform-mate, the Cadillac Lyriq. Rear legroom was substantial at 39.4 inches, while front row legroom measured 41.4 inches. Headroom was decent, aided by the panoramic moonroof on higher trims. Cargo space totaled 57.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and 25.2 cubic feet with the seats in use, though the high load floor and long hatch area could pose challenges for shorter individuals.

The Prologue featured convenient storage solutions, including a two-tier center console, and a hidden underfloor compartment in the cargo area. Traditional door handles and strategic storage spaces contributed to a seamless transition for those new to EVs.

The Hyundai Tucson's infotainment system centered around an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like SEL Convenience Package and Limited included a 10.25-inch touchscreen, although this upgrade forfeited wireless connectivity in favor of USB. The interface was intuitive, even allowing operation with gloves, which was particularly beneficial in colder temperatures. The evolved remote start system simplified vehicle operation by automatically engaging Drive when detecting the key fob.

In contrast, the Honda Prologue came standard with keyless access, wireless charging, and a total of four USB-C ports. The Elite trim introduced a card-format key. The Prologue’s 11.3-inch infotainment screen supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a separate 11-inch digital driver display added to the modern tech feel. Touring and Elite trims featured a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, enhancing the listening experience. Google Built-In was also included, offering native Google Maps and a route-planning feature for charging.

The Hyundai Tucson scored highly on safety, with a suite of standard features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian and cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, and more. The Limited trim added advanced features like front and rear parking sensors, a 360-degree camera system, and Hyundai's Smart Park. The IIHS rated the Tucson highly, with a “Good” overall score and “Superior” for crash-prevention technology. The NHTSA rated it five stars in frontal crash tests and four stars in rollover tests.

Honda’s Prologue came equipped with Honda Sensing as standard, adding new features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims offered exclusive features, but core safety technologies were available across all trims. Though yet to be rated by IIHS or NHTSA, Honda aimed for high safety ratings, reflecting its commitment to safety.