Honda e:Ny1 review: An electric car that doesn't want to be one
A TEST REPORT from Leander Diedrich 
on February 19, 2025, 18:18 p.m. | 2 comments
The Honda e:Ny1 is the Japanese manufacturer's first electric SUV and, after the Honda e, only the second purely electric car ever. While the Honda e tried to impress with a stylish retro look, the e:Ny1 is a bit more down-to-earth. I tested it extensively for two weeks.
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Conclusion: Honda cannot convince
The Honda e:Ny1 is certainly not as striking as its name suggests. However, if there is one thing that stands out about Honda's first electric SUV, it is the negative aspects. The charging capacity of just 78 kW immediately catches the eye, making long journeys a snail's pace. It's a shame - because the good seating comfort and a reasonable driving assistant show that Honda could have built a good long-distance car.
In the area of infotainment, however, further serious compromises have to be made; the system installed here should only be found in used cars in 2025, not in new cars. In terms of driving comfort, Honda has unfortunately taken away the advantages of electric driving.proprogrammed to create a combustion engine style. A change of direction is urgently needed.
With a base price starting at €38.990, other manufacturers in this class are much better positioned. However, Honda's future plans give cause for optimism: the Japanese company wants to bring several new electric cars onto the streets in the foreseeable future, which will serve different vehicle segments. A step in the right direction.
The test in the video
Design with a modern touch
Exterior
You can tell straight away that the Honda e:Ny1 is a modern vehicle. A narrow light signature and a closed front without a radiator grille emphasize the modern look. The multi-spoke rims don't necessarily do this, but they round off the look of the exterior very well and I personally like them a lot. At the rear of the vehicle there is a continuous LED strip for lighting.
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
Interior
In the interior of the e:Ny1, the 15,1-inch vertical infotainment display immediately catches the eye: the size of the display and the thin edges look promising. The seats are made of black synthetic leather as standard and are heated in the first row; the driver also gets an electric seat adjustment. The seats have proven to be very comfortable on longer journeys. The steering wheel is made of real leather and can be heated for an additional charge, which is a real pleasure, especially in the icy temperatures during the test. When driving in the dark, an ambient light in the doors and dashboard decorates the interior of the e:Ny1, although no other color can be selected apart from a cold blue tone.
Picture: TechnikNews
The center console in the e:Ny1 is covered in a piano lacquer finish that attracts fingerprints and dirt like a magnet. This is precisely where the driver has to regularly reach, because this is where the switches for selecting the gear are located. An unfortunate combination.
When it comes to smartphones and other small electrical devices, the e:Ny1 is prepared for all eventualities: Behind the piano lacquer panel with the gear levels there is an inductive charging cradle, a USB-C port, a USB-A port and a 12-volt outlet. Honda has also integrated two USB-C ports for the rear seat.
The trunk in the e:Ny1 offers 361 liters of space, and with the rear seats folded down, up to 1.176 liters are possible. There is no frunk in the e:Ny1, which is a shame.
Operating concept not state of the art
Slow display
As already mentioned, the infotainment display in the e:Ny1 makes a very modern, good impression at first glance. Unfortunately, this impression does not hold true when you start using the display. In contrast to the hardware, the software does not have a particularly modern look, and it is used that way too. The navigation map in the upper part of the display is very difficult to move and zoom and has immense lag. Almost every time you accidentally select a waypoint that you did not want. If you are looking for a charging station, you have to have the exact address ready, otherwise it will not find it. Automatic charging planning is also not implemented.
Quite a few manufacturers now rely on an Android operating system with Google services such as Maps and Google voice control because they cannot create better software themselves. That would have been the better choice here.
Confusing recuperation paddles
As in many other electric cars, there are shift paddles behind the steering wheel that can be used to adjust the strength of the recuperation. No one has yet been able to convince me of the usefulness of this concept, but I don't think Honda will be able to do it with the e:Ny1, because the function of these paddles is very strange.
As an efficient driver, I naturally set the recuperation to the maximum level, because that means I brake the least and drive very relaxed using one-pedal driving, using only the accelerator pedal. Honda apparently doesn't want me to drive efficiently and relaxed. Because as soon as I accelerate a little, the recuperation is reset and one-pedal driving is deactivated - to brake I now have to step on the mechanical brake again, just like in a combustion engine.
It is a mystery to me what the purpose of this function is. The improved driving comfort and efficiency of an electric car are deliberately being restricted. Instead, Honda is consistently sticking to the style of the combustion engine, even though this only has disadvantages. You could also say: The Honda e:Ny1 is an electric car that doesn't want to be one.
Picture: TechnikNews
Specifications
Performance and range in winter
The fully electric front-wheel drive in the Honda e:Ny1 is equipped with a solid output of 150 kW / 204 hp, which accelerates the SUV from 7,6 to 0 km/h in 100 seconds. Honda specifies the consumption as 18,2 kWh / 100 km. On my test route, I achieved a consumption of 90 kWh / 17,5 km at 100 km/h and 120 kWh / 23,0 km at 100 km/h. For these two speeds, the range is calculated as 354 km at 90 km/h and 270 km at 120 km/h.
The test took place at a wintery 4 degrees, so the heating noticeably increased consumption. Honda does not offer a heat pump, but this would reduce winter consumption somewhat compared to a conventional electric heater.
Picture: TechnikNews
Long distance as patienceprobe
Honda has equipped the e:Ny1 with a 68 kWh NMC battery, of which around 62 kWh can be used. This is an average size for a compact SUV. Honda's charging power is well below average: the maximum here is just 78 kW. Honda states the charging time on its own website as "under 60 minutes", which doesn't sound particularly convincing at first. It is also unclear what state of charge this time period actually refers to. Charging times at fast chargers are usually given for a charge from 10 to 80%, as the charging power usually drops sharply when the battery is fuller, so charging to 100% is not sensible on longer journeys.
The Honda needs about 10 - 80 minutes for a realistic charging stop from 40 to 45%. Others can do this much faster.
Driving assistant: Simple, but works
The Honda e:Ny1 has a driver assistance system as standard, which includes adaptive cruise control and a lane keeping function. The system's capabilities are limited to the most essential, but the Honda does a good job here. On the highway, the system is very pleasant to drive with a few exceptions. The driver has to change lanes himself, but the system switches itself back on when he arrives in the new lane. The Honda e:Ny1 doesn't like tight corners, and likes to try to snuggle up to the guardrail.
If I'm going to write comments about cars, I should also familiarize myself with their technology. Regarding the repeatedly and heavily criticized one-pedal driving, the "expert" should know that the three levels can be adjusted so that upon acceleration, the system returns to the desired setting, thus reducing the need to use the brakes.
The infotainment display is also far better and more efficient than the “expert” portrayed in his blog.
The Honda eNy1 is an absolutely excellent electric car! You know before you buy the car that its charging performance could be improved, so there's no need to downplay it...
I can understand the criticism in many respects, but the article reads more like a Facebook or Reddit post and therefore seems a bit amateurish. Have a colleague read the article.