Overview

The e:Ny1 is Honda’s second fully electric vehicle, after the now-discontinued Honda e. With the “Advance” trim I tested here, it came with a 68.8 kWh battery, a 201bhp/229lb-ft electric motor, the usual suite of safety and comfort kit under “Honda SENSING”, and a roomy cabin layout.

As someone who was genuinely impressed by the Honda e, I expected the e:Ny1 to build on that success, but it ended up being something of a let-down. It’s competent rather than compelling, and a practical electric family SUV, but one that lacks the character or standout qualities needed to justify its price.

Driving

On paper, performance is modest but acceptable, with a 99mph top speed and doing 0–62mph in 7.6 seconds. On the road, however, the driving experience felt uninspiring. The single front-motor added enough power to join motorways or overtake with confidence, but there was a constant sense of weight and softness, especially on tighter or twisty roads.

Most notable (and disappointing) was the noise from the electric motor. Rather than the hushed, refined glide you would hope for, it was rather loud and intrusive, a real shame in a car that’s meant for relaxed everyday driving. Regenerative braking is included with paddles behind the wheel, but I found the system often reverted to automatic too quickly, undermining attempts to customise the driving feel.

Range and running costs

Honda quotes up to 256 miles WLTP range and a fast-charge time of roughly 45 minutes from 10–80per cent using a 78kW charger. In real-world terms, I saw a full-charge range closer to around 170–190 miles, noticeably short of the official figure. As with many EVs, that number dropped further in colder weather, when using the heater, or during sustained motorway speeds where efficiency naturally dips.

Charging times are broadly as promised, but the maximum 78kW DC rate feels conservative compared with many rivals in this price bracket, many of which now exceed 100kW. In practice, it means you don’t get the big, fast top-up you might expect on long journeys. For day-to-day home charging, costs remain low, but for anyone who does frequent long motorway runs, the e:Ny1’s charging performance and real-world range are less compelling.

Design

Visually, the e:Ny1 is clean and contemporary, with a modest SUV stance and a practical five-door layout. The “Advance” trim adds features like a power tailgate, panoramic glass roof, multi-view camera and other niceties.

Inside, the 15.1″ infotainment screen and accompanying digital driver display give the cabin a modern, up-to-date feel. This is probably the highlight of the car, it’s responsive, clear and well-integrated with Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and other connectivity features.

That said, some design choices disappointed me. For example, the rear pop-out sun-blinds felt unnecessary, more like a gimmick than a genuinely useful feature. They barely made a difference in comfort, and seemed overly fussy for a family SUV.

Comfort and practicality

In terms of interior space and practicality the e:Ny1 does its job. The boot is decent for a compact SUV and expands considerably when seats are folded. More than fine for shopping bags, weekend trips or family luggage.

Front seats were comfortable, and the quality of materials generally felt good enough for everyday use. However, the ride lacked the poise and smoothness I would hope for. As noted, the motor noise combined with a rather numb driving feel let the cabin atmosphere down, especially noticeable on longer drives.

Given the somewhat premium pricing and the ambition for this to be more than a run-of-the-mill EV SUV, I had hoped for a more refined driving and comfort balance.

Verdict

In many ways the Honda e:Ny1 Advance feels like a middle-of-the-road EV. It’s competent, sensible, but uninspiring. It does still tick a lot of boxes: usable range, modern cabin, decent practicality. Yet it misses out on the “spark” that might make you fall in love with it.

After the old Honda e and the promises on paper, I had high expectations for this car, but the e:Ny1 left me underwhelmed. For the price, there are more engaging, more refined, or simply better value EVs on the market. As a safe, sensible family electric SUV, it works, but as a compelling reason to switch to electric, it falls short.

If I were shopping for an EV today with a reasonable budget, I would look elsewhere. However, for those who value Honda’s reliability, the spacious cabin and that lovely screen do provide some consolation.

Key Specs

Honda e:Ny1 Advance

Price: £42,890
Top speed: 99mph
0-62mph: 7.6 seconds
Power: 150 kW
Torque: 229 lb-ft
Driving range (combined): 256miles
AC Charging time: 6 hrs 45 mins (0-100% 11 kW)
DC Charging time: 45 mins (10–80% 100 kW)
Insurance group: 40E
Vehicle warranty: 5 years
Battery warranty: 5 years / 90,000 miles