Honda Prologue vs Hyundai Palisade Hybrid

The 2024 Honda Prologue presented a design that was refreshingly normal for an electric vehicle. Its exterior, available in a variety of colours, could easily blend into everyday traffic. The front featured a smooth black panel with the iconic Honda "H" logo, emphasizing its electric nature by eliminating the need for air cooling. Accessories like skid plates and side cladding allowed for personalization, adding a rugged touch if desired. The Prologue's side profile was characterized by its low appearance, accentuated by its length and large wheels, giving it a unique stance. Inside, the Touring trim offered a comfortable and familiar interior, with a layout reminiscent of other Honda models. The use of piano black plastic and upholstery material on the dash provided a subtle upscale feel, while the interior remained practical and user-friendly.

In contrast, the 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid exuded style and presence across its two trim levels, Luxury and Ultimate Calligraphy. The front showcased a massive grille flanked by LED projector headlights and distinctive LED daytime running lights. The side profile featured body-colour, heated side mirrors with power-folding capabilities on the Luxury Hybrid trim. The rear was equally striking, with wide-spaced letters spelling the vehicle's name and LED taillights wrapping around the corners. Inside, the Palisade Hybrid impressed with its thoughtful design and craftsmanship. The interior was filled with organic shapes and high-quality materials, offering a richer feel compared to other non-luxury crossovers. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was designed for comfort, with features like dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C power outlets, and available captain's chairs for added convenience.

The 2024 Honda Prologue offered a standard all-wheel-drive setup in Canada, delivering 288 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque. With the Touring trim's 21-inch wheels, it achieved a range of 439 kilometres, while the EX and EX-L trims with 19-inch wheels offered 452 kilometres. The Prologue's driving dynamics were authentically Honda, with a focus on providing a familiar experience. It featured multiple regenerative braking settings, including a one-pedal drive mode for a more traditional EV experience. The Prologue's 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 it surprisingly fun to drive on winding roads.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid redefined the perception of hybrid performance in a three-row crossover. Its powertrain combined a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 329 horsepower and 339 lb-ft of torque. The advanced eight-speed automatic transmission and hybrid system optimized power delivery and fuel efficiency. The Palisade Hybrid's cabin was remarkably quiet, thanks to noise-absorbing materials and acoustic glass. The steering was sharp and responsive, while the pedals felt slightly soft. Overall, the Palisade Hybrid offered a refined and enjoyable driving experience, with impressive power and handling for its size.

The 2024 Honda Prologue featured traditional door handles, making it easy for owners to transition to an EV. Inside, it offered up to 3,163 litres of passenger volume, with generous legroom in both the front and second rows. Headroom was slightly less impressive, but the panoramic moonroof added a sense of openness. Heated front seats and dual-zone climate control were standard, with additional features like driver's seat memory and front seat ventilation available on higher trims. The cargo area provided between 671 and 714 litres of space, with a flat load floor for easy loading. While the Prologue lacked a front trunk, it offered a deep compartment beneath the load floor for additional storage.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid offered 2,455 litres of total cargo capacity, trailing some competitors but surpassing others. Second-row legroom was slightly compromised by the battery's placement, but the cabin remained comfortable and spacious. The third row offered less legroom and headroom compared to some rivals, but the Palisade Hybrid's interior was designed for comfort and convenience. Dual-zone climate control, multiple USB-C power outlets, and available captain's chairs enhanced the cabin's functionality. The Palisade Hybrid also featured numerous storage solutions, including a rubberized cargo space and hidden shelves for smaller items.

The 2024 Honda Prologue came equipped with keyless access, remote start, and a wireless charger. It featured an 11.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a separate 11-inch digital driver-information display. Google Built-In provided native Google Maps and route-planning features. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Control for a sporty driving experience.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid boasted a 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital instrument cluster, supporting HD and Sirius XM radio, wireless Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay. A Driver Talk intercom system facilitated communication between rows. Most trims included a 14-speaker Bose stereo, and the Ultimate Calligraphy trim featured a built-in dashcam. The Palisade Hybrid introduced "Stay Mode," allowing the use of climate control and infotainment while the engine was off.

The 2024 Honda Prologue featured 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 not yet rated by safety organizations, Honda aimed for top safety ratings.

The 2026 Hyundai Palisade Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems, including blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and automatic emergency braking. The blind-view monitor was standard on higher trims, and the rear doors featured a safe-exit alert indicator. While not yet crash-tested, the 2025 Palisade received a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS.