Volkswagen ID.4 vs Honda Prologue

The 2024 Honda Prologue was a return to “normal” aesthetics for EVs, capturing familiarity with subtle hints of sophistication. Its design featured five color options in the base EX trim, while the Touring and Elite trims offered Sonic Grey and the eye-catching North Shore Pearl. The Prologue’s front fascia included a smooth black panel, crowned by the traditional Honda badge, indicative of its no-grille-required electric configuration. Accessories such as skid plates and side cladding allowed for personalization, adding a rugged touch reminiscent of more traditional SUVs.

From a side view, the Prologue presented a low profile, thanks to its length, being 3 inches longer than the Honda Passport, but 8 inches shorter in height. The 19-inch wheels on the base model and 21-inch on the Elite trim contrasted with its sleek roofline. The back showcased a modern font spelling “Honda,” reflecting the brand’s modern propulsion methods. Inside, the Elite trim exuded premium appeal with its exclusive brown and black interior, contrasted by the gray and black two-tone offered across all trims. While the EX featured cloth seats, the Touring and Elite trims boasted leather finishes. The layout mirrored other Honda models like the CR-V and Civic, but with an upscale twist, replacing air vents with piano black plastic and upholstery swaths.

The 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 sported a conservative, timeless look that kept aging gracefully. The AWD versions came standard with 20-inch wheels, and the S Plus trim's 21-inch wheels added a bolder touch. The model range included the standard ID.4 equipped with a 62-kWh battery, and the ID.4 Pro with an 82-kWh battery, available with optional AWD. Prices started at $39,735 and went up to $57,055, excluding the $1,425 destination charge. The ID.4’s interior had seen significant improvements, with a new transmission shift stalk on the steering column, revised steering wheel controls, and updated touch-sensing systems. Ventilated front seats and a Harman Kardon premium sound system became available as well.

Inside, the ID.4 moved away from last year’s Cosmic interior scheme, offering Cosmic Black and Galaxy artificial leather options in the S and S Plus trims. The larger 12.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with enhanced usability was a notable upgrade, making functions like climate control more accessible and intuitive.

In 2024, the Honda Prologue came with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The FWD setup featured a single motor delivering 212 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, available in the EX and Touring trims. This configuration offered the best efficiency, providing 296 miles of range. Conversely, the AWD system sported a dual-motor setup generating 288 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. The Elite trim, with its 21-inch wheels, achieved a range of 273 miles, while the EX and Touring trims, with 19-inch wheels, managed 281 miles. Despite rivals offering longer-range versions, the Prologue’s base range surpassed its immediate competitors.

Honda emphasized its driving dynamics, ensuring the Prologue delivered a familiar yet modern experience. It offered multiple regenerative braking settings, including a one-pedal drive mode and a conventional mode for new EV drivers. The 121.8-inch wheelbase contributed to a smooth ride, even on larger wheels. Despite Honda’s claims of a “serene and quiet” cabin, real-world experience suggested otherwise, with noticeable road and wind noise. Selecting Sport mode enhanced throttle, brake, and steering response, making the Prologue surprisingly fun to drive, especially on winding roads.

Meanwhile, the 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 featured a new rear electric motor for the single-motor Pro models, providing 282 horsepower and 402 pound-feet of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The 62-kWh models retained the previous motor setup, producing 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque. The Pro AWD models added an electric motor at the front, offering 335 hp and 402 lb-ft combined, reaching 60 mph in 4.9 seconds.

The ID.4 Pro models offered improved driving range, with the RWD variant achieving 291 miles and the AWD variant 263 miles. The smaller battery models managed 206 miles. All variants supported 11-kW Level 2 home charging and DC fast charging, with the larger battery handling up to 175 kW. In our test drives, the ID.4 Pro S demonstrated commendable performance, with better acceleration and efficient handling across various terrains.

City driving in the ID.4 revealed a firm yet comfortable ride, and the regen braking mode provided a balanced driving experience without mimicking a full one-pedal system. The brake pedal felt natural, and the vehicle performed well, maintaining its status as a strong competitor in the EV market.

The Honda Prologue showcased traditional door handles, simplifying the transition for new EV owners. With 111.7 cubic feet of passenger volume, it offered significant space compared to its Cadillac Lyriq counterpart. Front legroom measured 41.4 inches, while the second row afforded 39.4 inches. Headroom was slightly less impressive, with 39.6 inches up front and 38.1 inches in the back. The rear seats were reclinable, enhancing passenger comfort, and the panoramic moonroof on the Touring and Elite trims further brightening the cabin.

Standard features included heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, and driver’s seat memory from the Touring trim upward. The Elite trim added ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The center console provided ample storage for two smartphones, and Touring and Elite trims featured a hands-free power liftgate. Cargo space was 25.2 cubic feet with the seats up, expanding to 57.7 cubic feet when folded. Despite the lack of frunk storage, a hidden compartment under the load floor added utility.

The Volkswagen ID.4’s interior saw multiple updates for 2024, focusing on user-friendliness and comfort. The transmission selector moved to a steering column stalk, and lighting controls were grouped on a touch-sensing pad. The steering wheel’s touch-sensing controls saw minor tweaks, though accidental activations remained a concern.

The Pro models received a 12.9-inch touchscreen, improving infotainment usability. Ventilated front seats were available in Pro S and Pro S Plus trims, adding comfort in hotter climates. The standard heated front seats, mirrors, washer nozzles, and optional heated windshield ensured cold-weather readiness. Rear passengers enjoyed commendable legroom and footroom, with USB-C ports and air conditioning vents enhancing convenience. The ID.4’s cargo space measured 30.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 64.2 cubic feet with them folded down. Like the Prologue, it did not feature a frunk.

The Honda Prologue featured standard keyless access, with the Elite trim offering a card-format key. Charging options included a wireless pocket-style charger and four USB-C ports. The 11.3-inch infotainment screen supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a separate 11-inch digital driver display provided crucial information. The Elite trim also offered a head-up display.

Google Built-In was standard, integrating Google Maps and EV charger route planning. The Touring and Elite trims boasted a 12-speaker Bose audio system, complementing the Prologue’s premium feel. Active Sound Control, enhancing the driving experience with artificial sound effects, was particularly noticeable in Sport mode, adding a sporty character to the silent EV powertrain.

For the Volkswagen ID.4, the new 12.9-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, making the infotainment system more user-friendly. The system offered a home screen with customizable data panels, an always-visible climate control strip, and illuminated touch-sliders for volume and temperature. The standard navigation system now included battery preconditioning for efficient DC fast charging.

The Pro S Plus trim introduced a Harman Kardon premium sound system, and the new infotainment system performed well during initial testing. The system included three years of complimentary Plus Nav and Plus Speech access, with a digital voice assistant named Ida, though it had mixed success during testing.

The ID.4 offered extensive connectivity features, including a Wi-Fi hotspot, a Plus Online Radio package, and five years of Car-Net connected services for remote battery management and roadside assistance.

The Honda Prologue came equipped with the comprehensive Honda Sensing suite, including new features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims added front-park assist, a surround-vision system, and rear pedestrian alert. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision alert, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. While it had not yet been rated by safety organizations, Honda aimed for top safety scores.

For the Volkswagen ID.4, standard safety features included a post-collision braking system and the IQ.Drive advanced driver assistance package. This included Travel Assist, which handled traffic and lane-keeping efficiently during brief tests, and Emergency Assist, designed to safely stop the vehicle if the driver became unresponsive. The ID.4 also featured a semi-autonomous parking assist system with Memory Parking for frequently used maneuvers.

In crash testing, the ID.4 received favorable ratings from the NHTSA and performed well in preliminary IIHS assessments.