If the e:Ny1 is this inefficient now, what will it be like when the colder weather hits? Will I have enough range to even get to Oxford and back from my home in West London (a trip of just over 100 miles) without having to stop for a top-up? All questions I’ll be answering over the coming months, but it’s certainly left a fair few doubts in my mind.
I contacted Honda to see if the figures I am seeing are an anomaly. I was told: “This sounds about right and to be expected due to the time of year and ambient temperature, causing the battery efficiency to drop off slightly.”
But it feels a little harsh to focus so hard on the e:Ny1’s efficiency, because it’s otherwise been a great car. I really like the way it looks and, although the colour has caused some debate, the overall design is modern. It’s very distinguishable as a Honda, but that’s no bad thing, with so many other bland SUVs around.
With a family of four, I was also pleasantly surprised with the space on offer, especially in the back. Rear legroom is impressive, with a big area for the kids to swing their legs around without kicking the front seats. The illusion of space is also helped by the airy cabin.
The glass roof lets people in the front and back bask in the sunshine when it appears. The only niggle is that the rear section has removable cover panels, rather than a rolling blind. They are slightly fiddly to take out.
In general, the interior quality feels good, with lots of soft-touch materials and no hints of any creaks or rattles, although the piano- black materials used around the centre console are already showing signs of wear.
The showstopper is undoubtedly the huge 15.1-inch central portrait screen. Although I’m not a fan of touchscreens in general, the Honda’s is a fine example of how to do it right, with everything available at your fingertips. There’s no need to scroll through menus while driving to turn the heater up, for instance.
| Rating: | 3.5 stars |
| Model: | Honda e:Ny1 Advance |
| On fleet since: | November 2024 |
| Price new: | £42,845 |
| Powertrain: | 68.8kWh battery (62kWh usable), 1x e-motor, 201bhp |
| CO2/BiK: | 0g/km/2% |
| Options: | Metallic paint (£650) |
| Insurance*: | Group: 40 Quote: £1,682 |
| Mileage: | 5,180 |
| Efficiency: | 2.6 miles/kWh |
| Any problems? | None so far |
*Insurance quote from AA (0800 107 0680) for a 42-year-old in Banbury, Oxon, with three points.
