Honda e:Ny1 first drive | high-quality compact electric SUV

The e:Ny1 has doubled the number of battery electric vehicles in Honda’s range and offers plenty of showroom appeal, exuding quality and sophistication. However, it is not as practical or as good to drive as some of its rivals, while some offer better value.

Overview

The e:Ny1 is Honda’s second fully-electric model in the UK, joining the eye-catching e urban hatchback, which launched in 2020.

Sitting in the competitive B-segment SUV sector, Honda identifies rivals for the e:Ny1 – which at 4,837mm long is 60mm longer than the brand's HR-V– as being as diverse in size and brand as the Jeep Avenger, MG ZS EV, Toyota Bz4x, Skoda Enyaq, Kia EV6 and Audi Q4 e-tron.

It certainly looks the part: the e:Ny1 is one of the more attractive SUVs on the market. Its slimmed-down headlights, rear light bar and rakish rear window match nicely with the chrome and black exterior trim.

The new model is available with a 204PS motor, powered by a 68.8kWh battery to give a WLTP range of up to 256 miles.

It is offered in two trim levels – Elegance (£44,995) and Advance (£47,195) – and both offer high levels of equipment.

Comfort and practicality

Honda has placed a lot of emphasis on delivering high levels of comfort and quality compared to other B-segment SUVs, and the cabin reflects this.

It has a premium and stylish feel throughout, aided by the quality of materials and ambient lighting, while the seats, which have been engineered to include more padding, offer plenty of comfort and support.

This is good news for the front seat passengers who can enjoy a premium experience, while space in the back is reasonable.

The occupants also benefit from the inclusion of Honda’s Air Diffusion System, which channels airflow across the side windows and the roof of the vehicle to shield occupants from hot and cold radiation from the side window glass.

Boot capacity sits at 361 litres in the e:Ny1 with the rear seats up, rising to a maximum of 1,176 litres when the rear seats are folded.

Overall space is decent for a B-sector model, although the e:Ny1 is outgunned when compared to some of the larger – and comparably priced - models such as the Enyaq which Honda has identified as a direct rival.

Safety and technology

Both e:Ny1 trim levels benefit from some of the very latest Honda technology as standard, including its Sensing active safety system.

This uses a combination of camera, radar and sonar sensors to warn and assist the driver of/and in potentially dangerous scenarios.

Individual systems include road departure mitigation, lane keeping assist, traffic jam assist, Traffic sign recognition system, adaptive cruise control, and driver attention monitor.

The e:Ny1 also features the manufacturer’s latest infotainment technology, which includes a new interface designed for the new model.

This is accessed through a large, portrait-mounted 15.1-inch touchscreen that dominates the dashboard.

The screen is split into three distinct horizontal zones. At the top is the display for navigation, clock and camera, the middle tier hosts the infotainment and EV-focused menus, and the bottom zone houses the air-conditioning controls.

It works well, looks impressive and elevates the high-tech feeling of the car.

Driveability and range

Honda says it has optimised the drive and ride of the e:Ny1 for European roads, but the experience falls below the otherwise high standards set by the SUV.

There’s a noticeable whine from the electric motor when setting off and the low-speed ride is jittery. The experience improves as speed increases, but the e:Ny1 often feels easily unsettled by poor road surfaces and can’t compete with the class best for its on-the-road manners.

However, there is plenty of acceleration when needed: the 0-62mph sprint can be achieved in 7.6 seconds according to official figures.

Three driving modes are available: eco, normal and sport. Eco reduces throttle response, prioritising energy conservation by adjusting the air conditioning, heated seats and heated steering wheel to maintain driver temperature for a more economical drive. Sport, in contrast, increases the responsiveness of the controls.

E:Ny1 offers a WLTP range of 256 miles, which is largely class competitive. It has an 11kW on-board AC charger as standard, while it can take electricity on at a maximum rate of 78kW from a DC rapid charger.

Although rival cars offer higher maximum charge rates, Honda says they rarely achieve the higher level due to fluctuations in charging rates at different stages of the battery charging cycle.

Honda says the e:Ny1 has a specially developed recharging system that permits a higher average rate for more of the charging process. It also helps prevent premature battery deterioration.

Company car tax and running costs

As a BEV, e:NY1 sits in the 2% benefit-in-kind tax bracket, meaning a 20% taxpayer faces a monthly company car tax bill of £15 for the Elegance trim level.

Charging times

3-pin plug: 32 hours

7kW wallbox: 10 hours

11kW AC: 6hrs 45mins

78kW rapid (10-80%): 45 minutes