During the recent Lyon Motor Show, we were able to approach the new Honda e:Ny1 (pronounced “Ihainy one”), the second 100% electric model from the Japanese firm after the cute little Honda e. Based on a new platform, it intends to play spoilsport among the Peugeot e-2008 and other Kia Niro EVs in Europe.
30 is the number of battery car models that Honda wants to launch by 2030. For the moment, even if the brand is still far from it, their first offensive is already being felt with a new 100% electric SUV which arrives on the European market.
The brand’s second electric model after the attractive Honda e, but which will unfortunately disappear shortly, the e:Ny1 and its unpronounceable name are attacking the French market with the aim of overshadowing the local stars that are the Peugeot e-2008, Kia Niro EV and other Smart #1.
Design: an electric Honda HR-V
If you think you’ve already seen this model on the street, perhaps it’s normal, since it aesthetically resembles another model of the brand, a hybrid this one, namely the HR-V. The e:Ny1, however, differs in its dimensions, since it gains 6 cm in length, distributed over the front and rear overhangs. Contrary to what one might believe, the HR-V and the e:Ny1 do not share the same platform.
In our eyes, the design is rather attractive for an SUV, especially the front with a sharp look, all wrapped in a front without frills. The charging hatch is located at the level of the grille, so you no longer have to worry about parking when charging. If you find this charging hatch imposing, that’s normal, because it is capable of housing two types of sockets depending on the market. In France, the CSS standard is used.
The rear side is a little more consensual and stands out overall from the front part, with a more rounded design of the optics and an LED strip which crosses the entire stern.
In terms of dimensions, the Honda e:Ny1 measures 4.39 meters long, 1.79 meters wide (without mirrors) and 1.58 meters high. Its wheelbase is rather generous for its length with an announced 2.61 meters.
Interior: big progress in terms of finishing
Honda aimed a lot at the American market before, this is still the case, but unfortunately, on some of the brand’s latest productions, this was felt in terms of finishes. Except that for a few years now, poorly finished American cars have been a thing of the past, and the Japanese manufacturers who are established there have had to get up to speed.
And this is felt in the interior of this e:Ny1. Without being in the standards of European premiums, theThe Honda SUV is pretty well finished, with quality materials in the upper part and suitable assemblies. The interior style is pleasant in its purity, without pushing the hunt for buttons too far. However, at the sight of this large vertical screen, one might have thought the opposite.
This large screen is divided into three parts. On the lower part, there is ventilation management, in the center the car settings and at the top the navigation or the various multimedia menus. The idea is not bad in itself, but the execution is a bit haphazard, since when you arrive in front of this big screen, you don’t understand much. The whole thing is a little messy, even if customers will quickly get used to it. The quality of the graphics is quite average, we would have liked something a little finer.
In the back, the two passengers are well seated. They benefit from good knee room and can slide their feet under the front seats. We regret, however, that the trunk volume is not more generous given its size. The underfloor battery does not allow the e:Ny1 to trim a few liters and Honda only announces 344 liters of trunk volume, less than a Renault Zoé although 20 cm shorter.
Motorization, autonomy and recharging
For its first 100% electric SUV sold in Europe, Honda was inspired by the references such as the Hyundai Kona and other electric Kia Niro. The battery capacity is almost the same, with 68.8 kWh gross (62 kWh net) announced by the Japanese firm.
However, he claims “that” 412 km of WLTP range, a very modest score compared to the 484 km of the Hyundai and the 460 km of the Kia. While waiting for a future road test, it seems that the e:Ny1 is a little hungry for electrons.
In terms of recharging, it is very meager, since the power amounts to 78 kW in DC (direct current) on fast terminals. Faced with the 100 kW of the Peugeot e-2008, which is not the benchmark, the Honda e:Ny1 loses points, and recharging from 10 to 80% is very long with 45 minutes announced by the manufacturer. Its on-board charger displays the 11 kW now required for most electric vehicles.
Under the hood, we find a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor distributing 204 hp and 310 Nm of torque only on the front wheels. Honda announces 7.6 seconds on the exercise from 0 to 100 km/h and a maximum speed of 160 km/h.
Price and availability
As is often the case with Honda, the range is simple, very simple even for this e:Ny1. This is only sold in Advance finish, invoiced 47,700 euros. In France, it exceeds the bonus threshold of 700 euros, but after speaking with a representative of the brand at the Lyon Motor Show, dealers are instructed to offer a discount of this same amount allowing them to benefit from the ecological bonus of 5,000 euros.
Who says a single finish obviously says a lot of equipment, even if the price can seem steep, especially for a model produced in China. As standard, we find metallic paint, 18-inch rims, 360-degree camera, semi-autonomous driving, panoramic roof and even wireless smartphone charging.
The competition is tough, very tough at this level, since the Honda e:Ny1 will find many models on its route, sometimes significantly more financially advantageous, and with slightly (if not much) better performance.
The Peugeot e-2008, whose autonomy and equipment are lower, but the price is more digestible (43,750 euros in GT finish excluding bonus), the new Hyundai Kona (from 40,850 euros excluding bonus) or even the Kia Niro EV that we recently tested, priced from 45,640 euros. Even aiming at the segment above, the Honda e:Ny1 is more expensive than the base Tesla Model Y (45,990 euros before bonus).