READER TEST TEAM
HONDA E:NY1
The best way to find out whether you’ll gell with a prospective new car is to try it out for an extended period. Six What Car? readers get to do exactly that with Honda’s small electric SUV
Photography: John Bradshaw
None of our jury had driven an electric car before, but they all found the e:Ny1 easy enough to get to grips with
Claire Evans
claire.evans@haymarket.com
IT CAN TAKE time to find out if a car will suit your lifestyle, especially if it’s powered by something you haven’t experienced before. So, in this first extended Reader Test Team event, we invited six readers to spend a week with the new Honda e:Ny1 electric SUV, using it for shopping and local trips, as well as commuting and days out with family and friends.
On sale since late last year, the e:Ny1 is Honda’s second fully electric model (after the now-discontinued E hatchback). Similar in size to the brand’s hybrid HR-V, it’s a rival to the Kia Niro EV, Smart #1 and Volvo EX30.
The e:Ny1 comes with a 201bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels and gives it enough oomph to complete the 0-62mph sprint in 7.2sec. Its official range is up to 256 miles, although around 190 miles is more likely in real-world use, according to our tests.
Replenishing its 61.9kWh (usable capacity) battery from 10-80% via a public rapid charger will take about 45 minutes, at a peak rate of 78kW. A 0-100% charge using a 7kW home wallbox should take around 10 hours.
Prices start at £39,995 for Elegance trim, which comes with heated front seats, keyless entry and a digital instrument panel. Rangetopping Advance trim (the spec of our readers’ cars) adds a heated steering wheel, electric tailgate, a panoramic glass roof and other luxuries and is priced at £42,195.
All of our readers are considering an electric car soon, but none has owned one yet. Would they like living with the e:Ny1, or would it prove too futuristic? We asked them to rate their cars in three areas – driving, interior and practicality – and give an overall score (out of five).
Our readers were given an introduction to the e:Ny1 at Honda’s Bracknell HQ prior to them collecting their cars
Would you like to be part of a future Reader Test Team?
Email us with your details at readertestteam@whatcar.com
Check out other electric SUVs in our buyer’s guide on p117