Honda e:Ny1
The first Honda EV I drove was the funky-looking Honda E just about four years ago.
It certainly gave Honda an EV profile with its eye-catching looks and technology like the cameras in the door mirrors. It took a couple of years for Honda to produce only its second EV, the oddly named e:Ny1, offering quality interiors, and advanced technology, plus plenty of standard equipment in both grades, Elegance and Advance.
It is up against some stiff opposition, straddling the B and C segments, but it should appeal to those who value Honda's undoubted car-making excellence and its general bullet-proof reliability.
Using Honda's new e:N Architecture platform, the base for all future Honda EVs, it is powered by a 201bhp electric motor and has a claimed range of 256 miles and fast charging to deliver a 10-80 per cent charge time of approximately 45 minutes.
However, it's well behind some rivals and not so great when in a hurry, say at motorway services. It is difficult to make EVs look sexy, although this model has more than a passing resemblance to the larger HR-V. It's in the eye of the beholder and I think this one looks pretty smart with new badging, attractive light clusters and horizontal LED strip which glows when charging.
To the rear indicator, brake and reversing lights are part of a single combination unit, alongside a full width light bar and all rounded off with stylish 18-inch alloys.
The new Honda white ‘H’ badges appear on the nose, wheel centre caps and steering wheel. The interior has a cool look and offers plenty of the usual creature comforts, including ambient lighting and seats with thicker padding for support during driving, while the Advance grade driven here features smart stitching in a unique pattern.
This range-topper also has a panoramic roof to give the cabin a light and airy feeling.
The centrepiece is a 15.1-inch vertical tablet-style touchscreen which controls functions like smartphone connectivity and optimising the use of various apps, and a classy infotainment system.
A 10.25-inch digital instrument panel delivers real time info to the driver. The centre console houses the gear and drive selection set-up and wireless charging, while the multi-function steering wheel offers extra fingertip control. On the road, the 201bhp electric motor, powered by a 68.8 kWh lithium-ion battery, delivers the typical almost silent, rapid acceleration associated with EVs. It is whisked from a standing start to 60mph in 7.5 seconds, with just a hint of wind and road noise in the background.
The instantaneous response from flooring the throttle is slightly delayed (barely noticeable), says Honda, for the benefit of occupants and to minimise motion sickness,
Three dedicated pre-set driving modes, Sport, Normal and Econ Drive, enable drivers to manually adjust the car’s performance setting, depending on mood and economy.
Ride and handling, for the type of vehicle, are both pretty good, with a caveat that the ride can become a bit unsettled over poor road surfaces, but otherwise it feels stable, aided by the placement of the battery under the floor.
There is nothing to make the occupants feel anything other than comfortable. It's a practical vehicle offering easy loading access through a low tailgate aperture and flat cargo floor.
With the rear seats up, boot capacity is 361 litres; which increases to a maximum 1,176 litres when loaded to the roof.
Safety systems are comprehensive via Honda's own SENSING technology and as well as the usual airbag array, stability and traction controls, it features: a collision mitigation braking system; road departure alert; traffic jam warning, driver alertness monitor and adaptive driving beam.
Factfile
Honda e:Ny1 Advanc
ePrice: £42,195
Mechanical: 201bhp electric motor and 68.8 kWh battery driving the front wheels via single speed automatic transmission
Max speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 7.6 seconds
Range: 256 miles
Insurance group: 35
CO2 emissions: 0g/km
BiK rating: 2%
Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles
