I’ve had my Prologue for 3 weeks now and have been charging at home with no problems, but I tried to charge in public at 4 different charging stations that were working and my car would not start charging

Honda’s first all-electric SUV, the Prologue, has been a significant step forward for the brand as it transitions into the EV market. Built on General Motors’ platform (formerly known as Ultium), the Prologue represents Honda’s commitment to electrification and its goal of achieving 100% zero-emission vehicle sales in North America by 2040. While the Prologue has been praised for its practicality and comfort, real-world feedback reveals that charging challenges remain a sore spot for many owners.

The Prologue was first announced in July 2022 as part of Honda’s broader electrification strategy. At the time, Honda positioned it as a "volume BEV" that would combine GM’s advanced battery technology with Honda’s reputation for reliability. The Prologue was designed to offer spacious interiors, family-friendly features, and a driving range that could compete with other electric SUVs in its class. 

When it launched in 2024, the Prologue quickly gained traction in the EV market. By September of that year, it had outsold competitors like Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and Kia’s EV9, becoming one of the top-selling EVs among legacy automakers in the U.S. Over a 45-day period during mid-2024, Honda sold 7,046 units of the Prologue—outpacing rivals like the Ford Mustang Mach-E and Chevrolet Blazer EV. This strong performance underscored Honda’s ability to compete despite being a late entrant to the EV space.

By the end of 2024, Prologue sales exceeded 33,000 units in the U.S., solidifying its place as a key player in Honda’s lineup. The SUV also earned accolades such as being named “Best Electric 5-Passenger SUV” by Parents magazine for 2025, thanks to its family-friendly features and safety equipment. However, while sales figures and awards paint a rosy picture, real-world feedback from owners provides a more nuanced perspective.

One owner shared their experience on the Honda Prologue Drivers forum, taking their Prologue on a road trip from Northern California to Southern California—a journey of approximately 420 miles each way. They praised the SUV for its quiet and comfortable ride quality, describing it as a pleasure to drive However, range anxiety became an issue during their trip. Despite starting with a full charge on one leg of the journey, they had to stop twice to recharge because they didn’t feel comfortable letting the battery drop below 10%. On another leg of the trip, they started at 85% charge and had to stop three times due to unfamiliarity with charging locations along their route.

Charging infrastructure is another major challenge. One user states “My most recent experiences with charging using car scanner has helped me to see that the car may not be telling you when is the perfect time to plug in even when you route to a fast charger with battery preconditioning auto activated. When I manually enable the feature in my ZDX, it says plug in at any time every time. That makes no sense! My battery can be in the 30s-40s and it says plug in at any time. Following that misguided advice has led to some very slow charge times on my end. “ 

While Tesla Superchargers are accessible using adapters like the A2Z Typhoon Pro, non-Tesla charging networks such as Electrify America (EA) and EVgo left much to be desired. The owner described their experience with EA as "bordering on an [expletive]-show,” citing issues like slow charging speeds and app malfunctions. "Electrify America insists on making you transfer funds in increments to your account when it already has your credit card to charge," they explained. "Why? So it can hold your funds and make money on the float." They also encountered chargers that failed to deliver speeds above 80 kW despite being advertised as capable of up to 350 kW.

Another owner shared similar frustrations on Reddit: “I’ve had my [Honda] Prologue for 3 weeks now and have been charging at home with no problems. However, I tried to charge in public at 4 different charging stations that were working and my car would not start charging. The dash light turned blue so I know there was some kind of connection but the charging apps kept giving me an error message and the light never turned green. Has this happened to anyone else? I ended up having to get towed home. Going to take it to the service department but not feeling super confident that they will know how to solve the issue.” 

They added that even dealership chargers were unreliable unless service managers used special access cards. These accounts highlight how inconsistent charging infrastructure can undermine the overall EV ownership experience.

Despite these challenges, many owners remain optimistic about their Prologues. For example, some have noted that Tesla Supercharger compatibility has been a game-changer for long-distance travel. Others have praised Honda’s efforts to improve range and performance with updates for the 2025 model year. These updates include an increased EPA range rating for AWD models (up by approximately 13 miles) and higher power output for certain trims.

The Honda Prologue enters a competitive field dominated by players like Tesla’s Model Y and Ford’s Mustang Mach-E. What sets it apart is its balance between practicality and luxury features such as wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated front seats, and dual-zone climate control—all standard across trims. However, its peak DC fast-charging rate of 150 kW lags behind competitors like Hyundai’s IONIQ 5, which supports up to 350 kW.

As Honda continues its electrification journey, several challenges remain:

1. Charging Infrastructure: While Tesla compatibility is helpful for some owners using adapters, reliance on third-party networks exposes gaps in reliability.

2. Software Integration: Improved integration between navigation systems (e.g., Google Maps) and range prediction tools could enhance user experience.

3. Market Competition: With new models like Kia’s EV9 entering the market at competitive price points, Honda will need continuous innovation to maintain its edge.

The Honda Prologue represents both an exciting milestone and an ongoing learning curve for Honda as it transitions into the EV era. Its strong sales figures demonstrate that it resonates with buyers seeking a practical electric SUV option from a trusted brand. However, real-world feedback underscores areas where improvement is needed—particularly around charging infrastructure compatibility.

As Honda looks toward expanding its lineup with future electric models based on its e:Architecture platform, lessons learned from early adopters will undoubtedly shape its path forward.

Photo courtesy of Honda Newsroom

Mikey Garcia has been passionate about cars and alternative fuels long before they were mainstream, from closely following the GM EV1 to running biodiesel in his Volkswagen Beetle TDI and Mercedes 300SD. As an early EV adopter, he drove a 2015 Fiat 500e and now owns a 2017 Chevy Bolt, showcasing his commitment to accessible electric mobility. With nearly a decade of tech experience at Apple, Mikey brings a unique perspective to the intersection of automotive innovation, sustainability, and technology. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn to follow him, or to send him news tips.