2024 Honda Prologue vs 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid

The 2024 Honda Prologue presented a design that was refreshingly normal for an electric vehicle. Its smooth front end, adorned with the traditional Honda "H" logo, and the option for personalization through accessories like skid plates, gave it a subtle yet customizable appearance. The Prologue's low stance, accentuated by its length and large wheels, contributed to its unique proportions. Inside, the Prologue's interior was familiar and upscale, with a layout reminiscent of other Honda models. The use of piano black plastic and upholstery material added a touch of elegance, while the interior colour options varied between the U.S. and Canadian markets.

In contrast, the 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid underwent a redesign that resulted in a more cohesive yet conventional look. Its blockier shape and rugged black plastic elements hinted at its off-road capabilities. The interior retained some of its previous charm with a beveled dashboard and a large vertical infotainment touchscreen. The cabin featured a mix of hard and soft-touch materials, with the front seats offering ample comfort and support. The Forester Hybrid's rear seating area prioritized durability, making it suitable for families with children and pets. Overall, the Forester Hybrid's design aimed for mass appeal while maintaining a sense of ruggedness.

The 2024 Honda Prologue in Canada came standard with all-wheel drive, featuring a dual-motor setup that delivered 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. Depending on the trim and wheel size, its range varied from 439 to 452 kilometres. The Prologue's driving dynamics were authentically Honda, with a choice of regenerative braking settings and a one-pedal drive option. Its long wheelbase contributed to a comfortable ride, although road and wind noise were noticeable at highway speeds. Sport mode enhanced throttle, brake, and steering response, making the Prologue surprisingly fun to drive on winding roads.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid was powered by a 2.5-litre flat four-cylinder engine paired with a parallel hybrid system, producing a combined 194 horsepower. Its all-wheel drive system, utilizing a traditional driveshaft, promised better traction off-road. While acceleration was adequate, the hybrid transmission sometimes made it feel slower than it was. The hybrid system operated smoothly, with seamless transitions between electric and engine power. The Forester Hybrid excelled off-road, thanks to its X-Mode drive programming and hill descent control, making it a versatile choice for both urban and adventurous drivers.

The 2024 Honda Prologue offered a spacious cabin with up to 3,163 litres of passenger volume, providing ample legroom in both rows. Headroom was slightly less impressive, but the panoramic sunroof added a sense of openness. Standard features included heated front seats and dual-zone climate control, with additional amenities like a heated steering wheel and front seat ventilation available on higher trims. The cargo area ranged from 671 to 714 litres, with a flat load floor for easy loading. While the Prologue lacked a front trunk, it featured a hidden compartment beneath the load floor for extra storage.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid impressed with its unobstructed forward view, thanks to thin front roof pillars. The front seats offered generous space, and the rear seats provided ample legroom and headroom. A panoramic sunroof enhanced the sense of openness for rear passengers. The cabin featured practical storage solutions, including a wireless charging pad, cup holders, and door pockets. The Forester Hybrid's cargo space measured 779 litres, with a hands-free power liftgate and power remote seatback releases for added convenience. Its upright tail design allowed for easy loading of bulkier items.

The 2024 Honda Prologue came equipped with keyless access, a wireless charger, and four USB-C ports. Its infotainment system featured an 11.3-inch screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while a separate 11-inch screen displayed driver information. Google Built-In provided native navigation and route-planning features. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bose audio system with Active Sound Control, enhancing the driving experience with artificial sounds during acceleration and deceleration.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid featured an 11.6-inch vertical infotainment touchscreen with built-in navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Starlink system received praise for its user-friendly interface and large on-screen buttons. The X-Mode off-road drive menu and external camera views were particularly useful for off-roading. The Forester Hybrid also included an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, providing a premium sound experience.

The 2024 Honda Prologue came standard with the Honda Sensing suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies, including new features like rear cross-traffic braking and blind-zone steering assist. Higher trims offered additional safety features such as front-park assist and a surround-vision system. While the Prologue had not yet been rated by safety organizations, Honda aimed for top safety ratings.

The 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid received high safety ratings, earning five stars in most NHTSA crash tests and an IIHS Top Safety Pick award. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, which included features like frontal collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added rear automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, and a surround-view monitor. The Forester Hybrid's safety systems operated smoothly, with customizable alerts for a more personalized experience.