New e:Ny1 leads Honda’s electric charge

Honda has dipped its toe into the battery-driven, all-electric market with the funky Honda e, but they’ve now decided to go in the SUV direction – something that Honda is really good at, as shown with the hugely successful ZR-V, CR-V and HR-V.

Their latest offering is the e:Ny1, a small SUV which is aimed at customers who might be thinking about going electric but don’t want to ditch practicality.

Oh, and let’s get an elephant out of the room. What is this e:Ny1 name about? Simple answer: as with a lot of other manufacturers, it’s all to do with the platform on which the car is based. The e:N platform will be used across several future electric models from Honda. It’s also the first, hence 1. Pronunciation is simple, ee-en-why-one.

At the moment there’s a single power option, an electric motor developing 201bhp which drives the front wheels and gives you a peppy 0-60mph time of 7.7 seconds and a top speed of 99mph. Honda reckon that the all-important range is 256 miles. Find a rapid charger and a 10-80% charge will take around about 45 minutes.

Out on the road Honda has been clever. Those of you who’ve driven an electric car will recognise the instant surge you can get from standstill. It’s like a toy, you soon don’t bother and just set off as normal.

Honda has done this for you so that the throttle reacts in much the same way as a petrol-powered car.

Two trim grades are available, Elegance and Advance. In both, there’s a huge 15.1-inch central infotainment screen. It’s intuitive to use.

Be careful if you are comparing the Honda e:Ny1 with competitors. You need to remember that the e:Ny1 is stacked with kit, so make sure you go like-for-like. You get heated front seats, powered driver’s seat, dual-zone air con, keyless entry and start, wireless phone charger, rear view camera and front and rear parking sensors. Not much else you need really.

Honda is a company on the move. The e:Ny1 is a taste of the future. Things are looking good.

For more information visit vertumotors.com/honda

We Recommend

The new BMW i4 and the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé

Honda wins Car Brand of the Year at the Which? Awards

ID.7 Tourer is Volkswagen’s first-ever battery electric estate vehicle

Defender OCTA: A new high-performance hero

The all-new BMW X2 and the first-ever BMW iX2

Hybrid, electric or petrol? The choice is yours at Honda

View all