Toyota RAV4 vs Honda Prologue

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 was designed with an effort to appear more rugged than its capabilities suggest. It consistently sported an angry demeanor with its frowning grille and aggressive body cladding. The dual exhaust outlets contributed to a sense of performance that was not genuinely present. Higher trims featured faux skid plates and two off-road-themed versions came with stronger roof racks designed for utility. The TRD Off-Road model, which led the lineup with a base price of $38,295 plus a $1,350 destination charge, exemplified this off-road persona with its tank-like attributes and Army Green coloring. Other features like the digital rearview mirror and additional technology and weather packages pushed the MSRP to $41,925.

The RAV4 range catered to various budgets, with prices starting at $28,675 for the LE trim and extending to $38,295 for the TRD Off-Road. Hybrid versions were slightly pricier, but they offered more power and better fuel efficiency. Inside, the RAV4 emphasized practicality with easy-to-clean surfaces, abundant storage, and robust door handles. While the base models focused on utility, higher trims like the XLE Premium and Limited offered more elegant interiors with contrasting colors.

On the other hand, the 2024 Honda Prologue took a different design route, appearing more subdued, especially for an EV. The base EX trim was available in five colors, but the Touring and Elite trims introduced Sonic Grey and the new vibrant North Shore Pearl color. The front showcased a clean black panel with the iconic Honda "H" logo, highlighting its electric nature. Various accessories allowed for further customization, from skid plates to complex-looking grilles.

From a side perspective, the Prologue seemed low thanks to its elongated design, being 3 inches longer than the Honda Passport but 8 inches shorter. The standard 19-inch wheels (21-inch on the Elite trim) amplified its gangster-like proportions. The new Honda font at the back emphasized its move into the EV arena. The interior of the Elite trim was luxurious, featuring a brown and black palette exclusive to the top trim, while the rest got a gray and black two-tone. Cloth seating was standard on the EX, whereas leather adorned the upper trims. The dashboard design echoed recent Honda models but avoided the honeycomb grille for the vents, opting for piano black plastic and upholstery material instead. Like the exterior, the cabin was clean and familiar, with an upscale touch.

The 2024 Toyota RAV4 came equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 203 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 184 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. To access this power, drivers needed to rev the engine significantly. It featured an eight-speed automatic transmission that powered the front wheels unless the torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system was chosen. The TRD Off-Road model included AWD, exclusive off-road suspension tuning, an underbody skid plate, and 18-inch all-terrain tires.

Multi-Terrain Select was standard, granting Normal, Snow, Mud & Sand, and Rock & Dirt driving modes. Nevertheless, the ground clearance of 8.6 inches was the same for several RAV4 models, offering no advantage in approach or departure angles. Despite its off-road pretensions, it struggled with rough terrains, evidenced by a damaged front fascia during a photo shoot in Southern California.

Its off-road suspension, however, delivered a smooth ride during daily commutes, handling imperfections well without filtering too much road information. Steering and brakes were attuned for its purpose, and the all-terrain tires performed adequately on regular roads. Despite being noisy at highway speeds due to reasons other than tire noise, the 2.5-liter engine, paired with a dependable eight-speed automatic transmission, provided satisfactory power. Fuel efficiency stood at 28 mpg combined for the TRD Off-Road model, but it averaged 26.6 mpg during testing, including light off-roading. The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition, by contrast, boasted an impressive 37 mpg.

In comparison, the 2024 Honda Prologue featured both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) options. Its FWD models, available on EX and Touring trims, had a single-motor configuration with 212 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, covering up to 296 miles on 19-inch wheels. AWD, standard on the Elite trim and optional on EX and Touring, had a dual-motor setup producing 288 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque. Elite trims with 21-inch wheels provided a 273-mile range, while the same powertrain managed 281 miles on 19s.

The Prologue’s base range was class-leading, albeit rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Tesla Model Y offered longer-range variants. Honda ensured genuine driving dynamics for the Prologue, with settings like “Normal,” which provided minimal extra deceleration, and a one-pedal drive mode for immediate deceleration upon lifting the accelerator. A 121.8-inch wheelbase, longest in its class, facilitated a comfortable ride. However, the cabin wasn’t as quiet as Honda claimed.

Selecting Sport mode enhanced throttle, brake, and steering responses, making the Prologue unexpectedly fun to drive, especially on winding roads.

The RAV4’s interior was all about utility, emphasizing storage with shelves, trays, bins, and rubberized knobs. The TRD Off-Road trim featured SofTex artificial leather upholstery with an eight-way power driver’s seat. The optional Weather package added heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rain-sensing wipers with a de-icer system. The driver's seat was comfortable, and the steering wheel rim enjoyable to grip. Excellent outward visibility was enhanced by the optional digital rearview mirror.

The RAV4 accommodated four adults comfortably, five when needed, though rear seats were slightly low with limited leg support. Nonetheless, rear air conditioning vents, USB ports, and a fold-down armrest added to passenger convenience. The cargo area offered 37.6 cubic feet, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with rear seats down, competitive for its segment.

The Honda Prologue featured traditional door handles, simplifying the transition to EVs. The main cabin offered 111.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, more than its Cadillac Lyriq platform-mate, especially noted in the 39.4 inches of rear legroom. Front row legroom was 41.4 inches, while headroom was 39.6 inches in the front and 38.1 inches in the back, aided by the standard panoramic moonroof on Touring and Elite trims.

Standard features included heated front seats and dual-zone climate control. The Touring trim added driver's seat memory, while the Elite featured ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Front passengers benefited from two-tier storage, and the hands-free power liftgate on the Touring and Elite trims revealed a 25.2-cubic-foot cargo area, expanding to 57.7 cubic feet with seats down. Despite lacking a “frunk” like many EVs, it did offer a deep compartment beneath the load floor.

Despite its growing age, the RAV4’s infotainment system remained current with Toyota’s latest tech. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system included a standard 8-inch and optional 10.5-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and various connected services. Service Connect and Safety Connect were complimentary for ten years, and Remote Connect and Drive Connect were free for one year. Wi-Fi Connect turned the SUV into an internet hotspot with an initial three-month free plan.

However, the system had drawbacks: no multi-panel Home screen, navigation exit issues, and hard-to-read fonts. The digital voice assistant in Drive Connect worked well but had volume issues and failed specific queries. The optional JBL premium audio system provided enhanced sound, and the digital rearview mirror offered a clear rear view, although the test vehicle lacked the panoramic surround-view camera.

The 2024 Honda Prologue came with standard keyless access, varying by trim. The Elite trim introduced a card-format key resembling a hotel room key. A standard wireless charger in a pocket-style format was available, along with four USB-C ports and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on an 11.3-inch screen. A separate 11-inch digital driver-information display was also standard, and the Elite trim offered a head-up display.

Google Built-In featured prominently, including Google Maps as a native function with EV charging route planning and battery preconditioning. The Touring and Elite trims boasted a 12-speaker Bose audio system, developed specifically for the Prologue. Artificial sound effects compensated for the powertrain's silence, particularly in Sport mode, enhancing the sporty driving experience.

The RAV4 included Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), but the base LE trim lacked a crucial blind-spot monitoring system with rear cross-traffic alert. TSS 2.5 provided adequate adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist, though the latter was erratic on curvy roads. On straighter highways, these features performed better, though the lane-centering assist occasionally lacked precision. In heavy traffic, adaptive cruise control managed distances well but applied excessive braking on certain occasions.

Regrettably, the 2024 RAV4 lost its Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS due to Marginal and Acceptable ratings in specific crash tests, reflective of its aging design and engineering.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Prologue encompassed the standard Honda Sensing suite, with added features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims included front-park assist, surround-vision systems, and rear pedestrian alert. Standard features spanned automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Although not yet rated by the IIHS or NHTSA, Honda targeted Top Safety Pick+ and five-star overall ratings.