Land Rover Range Rover Velar vs Honda Prologue

The 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar followed a “reductive” design philosophy, aiming to eliminate unnecessary elements and create a simplified, modern look. This ethos was first embraced by the Velar in 2018 and has been further refined in the 2024 model. The Velar showcased a new grille, revised headlights, and taillights, fresh wheel choices, and updated exterior details. The rear bumper's redesign emphasized the vehicle's width over its height, creating a lower and wider appearance, enhanced by a full-length upper stop lamp.

Inside, the Velar featured an 11.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system that appeared to float above the dashboard. The new center console design eliminated traditional controls for the climate system, stereo volume, and other functions, requiring the use of the touchscreen for these operations. Despite the sleek aesthetics, some substandard quality signs within the cabin were noted, and the reliance on a natural voice recognition system tied to an active connected services subscription or Amazon account was seen as a drawback.

On the other hand, the 2024 Honda Prologue had a more conventional appearance for an electric vehicle (EV). The base EX trim was available in five colors, while the Touring and Elite trims added the Sonic Grey option and a new color called “North Shore Pearl,” a vibrant turquoise. The front end featured a traditional Honda “H” logo on a smooth black panel, highlighting the lack of need for air cooling. Personalization options included accessories like skid plates and side cladding.

Viewed from the side, the Prologue gave a low appearance, due to its length being 3 inches longer than the Honda Passport, but 8 inches shorter in height. The large 19-inch standard wheels (21-inch on Elite trim) accentuated the low roof, and the new font spelling “Honda” on the back signaled its electric nature. Inside, the Elite trim offered a brown and black interior, exclusive to this trim. A gray and black two-tone interior was available across all trims. The layout mimicked revamped Honda models like the CR-V, Accord, and Civic but with a unique touch: no hidden air vents behind a honeycomb grille, opting instead for piano black plastic framed by upholstery material.

The test model of the 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar carried a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 394 horsepower between 5,500 rpm and 6,500 rpm and 406 lb-ft of torque between 2,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm. This setup was labeled as P400, while the less powerful 247-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder fell under the P250 designation. The six-cylinder engine was recommended for its superior performance, achieving 0-60 mph nearly two seconds faster than the P250.

EPA fuel economy ratings for the P400 were less efficient, at 21 mpg in combined driving, compared to 23 mpg for the P250. During testing, it averaged 19.5 mpg. The Velar used an eight-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive and adjustable power distribution between the front and rear axles. Ground clearance stood at 8.4 inches, expandable to 9.9 inches with optional air suspension, and water fording capabilities varied from 20.9 inches to 22.8 inches.

Terrain Response driving modes offered options like Eco, Comfort, Grass-Gravel-Snow, Mud-Ruts, Sand, and Automatic modes, with the Dynamic mode enhancing on-pavement performance. The Velar P400 impressed on mountain roads, demonstrating nimbleness and athleticism. Comfort mode provided a quiet, soothing highway experience, though urban driving in Comfort mode felt too soft. Dynamic mode firmed up the ride but could result in sudden power surges. Off-roading was not tested due to loan agreement restrictions.

The 2024 Honda Prologue provided options for front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The FWD configuration, available on EX and Touring trims, featured a single motor producing 212 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, delivering a 296-mile range on 19-inch wheels. The AWD setup, standard on the Elite trim and optional on EX and Touring, combined dual motors for 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque, with a 273-mile range on 21-inch wheels or 281 miles on 19s.

Honda claimed the Prologue offered authentic driving dynamics, and testing confirmed a familiar feel. The middle regenerative braking setting called “Normal” allowed gentle deceleration, with other settings offering standard one-pedal driving or a typical driving experience. The Prologue’s 121.8-inch wheelbase delivered a smooth ride, though cabin noise at highway speeds did not quite match Honda’s serene claims.

Throttle, brake, and steering responses quickened in Sport mode, firming up the steering feel. The Prologue proved enjoyable on winding mountain roads, defying its size with agile handling.

Approaching the 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar activated power-retracting flush-mounted door handles, though they protruded potentially dangerously. Entry to the front seats was difficult for taller individuals due to the angled windshield pillars and small door openings. However, the new seat cushions provided comfort once settled in. The test vehicle featured 14-way power adjustable front seats with leather upholstery, heated seats (ventilated in the front), heated windshield, and headlight power-wash system as part of the Cold Climate Pack.

The interior exuded quality with exceptions such as the cheap-looking lower door panel plastic and a driver’s floor mat that detached easily. The rear seats offered excellent comfort, with commendable lumbar and leg support, decent legroom, and air conditioning vents, though lacking side window sunshades. Storage options included generous door panel bins, a tray under the wireless charger, and a standard power liftgate opening to 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 62.7 cubic feet with the 40/20/40-split folding back seat.

The 2024 Honda Prologue featured traditional door handles, minimizing adaptation for users. The cabin offered 111.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, more than six cubic feet over the Cadillac Lyriq, with impressive legroom (39.4 inches in the second row, 41.4 in the first). Headroom was less noteworthy (39.6 inches in the front, 38.1 inches in the back), but reclinable rear seats and a panoramic moonroof on Touring and Elite trims helped.

Standard features included heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and a variety of storage options, with front seat ventilation and a heated steering wheel added at the Elite trim level. Cargo space was 25.2 cubic feet behind the second row, expandable to 57.7 cubic feet. A deep compartment under the load floor provided additional storage, although the lack of a front trunk ("frunk") was noted.

The 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar received a next-generation Pivi Pro infotainment system upgrade, featuring an 11.4-inch touchscreen, over-the-air software updates, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and an improved user interface. However, the new system's complexity, including the integration of climate control and volume functions into the touchscreen, posed challenges. The new sidebars with shortcuts to commonly used functions were hard to read at a glance, increasing driver distraction.

Amazon Alexa and other digital assistants required an active connected services subscription, and the test vehicle's Online Pack was not set up. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto worked smoothly but did not solve the desire for physical controls. Additional tech features included a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel, standard and high-fidelity Meridian sound systems, with options for a head-up display (HUD) and a surround-view camera, with the HUD proving beneficial for safety system status communication.

The 2024 Honda Prologue came with keyless access, with a proximity key fob for EX and Touring trims, and a card-format key for the Elite trim. The standard wireless charger, familiar pocket-style from GM, and four USB-C ports ensured ample charging options. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto ran through an 11.3-inch infotainment screen, with an 11-inch digital driver-information display standard. The Elite trim offered a head-up display.

Built-in Google Maps included route planning, with the ability to locate recommended EV chargers and initiate battery preconditioning. The Touring and Elite trims featured a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, highlighting the Prologue’s Active Sound Control, which added artificial sounds during driving, enhancing the sporty experience in Sport mode.

Every 2024 Land Rover Range Rover Velar came with advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). The adaptive cruise control with speed-limited and driver-set functions worked well, indicating active status through green-lit LIM lettering on the steering wheel. Adaptive Cruise Control with Steer Assist created a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system but performed poorly, with inaccurate steering through bends, unwanted steering inputs, and confusion in complex road scenarios, adding stress rather than easing it.

The 2024 Honda Prologue featured the Honda Sensing suite, including new standard features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Front-park assist, the surround-vision system, and rear pedestrian alert were exclusive to higher trims. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Although too new for IIHS or NHTSA ratings, Honda aimed for Top Safety Pick+ and five-star overall ratings.