Give me a little background: I’m zipping around a busy city center on the Honda e on a cool day. A vehicle weaves into the place next to me as I enter a fast restaurant parking lot. With astonished eyes, two men yell out, “Hey, what’s that?” It seems to be a spacecraft! I break it to them with a smile: it’s the electric city vehicle from Honda. Their shock is obvious; one of them even takes out his phone to take a picture. Admitting, “Never seen anything like it,” is his words. Put simply, the Honda e is an eye-catcher and discussion starter all in one.
Mid-Century Modern: More Than Meets the Eye
In a world where automobiles could compete in beauty pageants, the Honda e would confidently claim first place. Its design is an exquisite example of how to combine modern elements with a nod to the past. Circular LED headlights evoking vintage 1970s Civics shine like welcoming eyes, while futuristic cameras in lieu of traditional side mirrors provide it an air of mystery. The sleek, simple front fascia of the Honda e gives the impression of smirking, in contrast to the scowling grilles of contemporary electric vehicles.
And here’s the worst part
Honda had no intention of making this. The e was originally a concept automobile that showcased the electric aspirations of the company. The public’s desire, pushed forward by enchanted car journalists and design aficionados, forced Honda to start manufacturing. When you see one of the UK’s 2,000 units on the road, it’s like seeing a unicorn. The initial asking price of £37,000 put off most potential purchasers, and who could blame them? The little car’s range of 131 miles isn’t exactly blowing people away.
Held by Those Who Love to Find Deals: Used models are now selling for less than £15,000. When I least expect it, the e’s eccentricities will wind up being charming character quirks. Even if the ID.3 from Volkswagen has greater room and higher mileage, when was the last time you laughed at a Volkswagen?
The Inside: A Paradise (or Hell) for Tech Enthusiasts
As you get into the Honda e, you’ll feel like you’re in a combination café and Apple Store rather than a vehicle. Across the cabin, you’ll find the dashboard, which has five displays. Rely on it. It may take some adjustment to utilize the outermost screens as side mirrors; they show camera feeds that are unusual (“Wait, is that cyclist actually that close?”). A digital cluster and two 12.3-inch touchscreens make up the trio in the center.
Refreshingly, the Honda interface is easy to use. You may rearrange the placement of the navigation and audio controls relative to the driver by using the “Switch Screen” button, and the screen is tiled like a smartphone home screen. My test-drive companion, apparently bored with my music selection, once hijacked the system and started playing Taylor Swift. “This is your car, but this is our road trip,” she playfully taunted.
The Easter eggs, however, are where all the magic is. Located in the settings, you’ll discover “Aquarium Mode”—a mesmerizing virtual aquarium that kept my niece captivated for the whole thirty minutes of the charge. Additionally, there is an HDMI port and a three-pin socket. It is possible to connect a laptop. In the meanwhile, you could build up a gaming gear and play Mario Kart, as one owner delightfully showed on YouTube.
Is it realistic? No Need to Delude Ourselves
This is when the allure of the Honda e starts to fade. The boot is the epitome of optimism, with a capacity of only 171 liters. I remember one time while I was trying to get to Costco that I piled toilet paper rolls on the back seats. (“I apologize, but you are now considered cargo.”) Grocery bags fit just nicely for city folks, but weekend trips without a roof box are out of the question.
The back seats are really comfortable. Some passengers, like my 6’2″ acquaintance, said it was like “folding myself into an origami swan,” while others of ordinary height found it pleasant. However, the decision to use a single-piece folding seatback is perplexing. Have to transport a bicycle? I hope your friends are down for a stroll.
A Love-Hate Relationship with Range Anxiety
Let’s talk on the most obvious thing: The range is 131 miles. While driving like a saint in the heat, I managed to eke out 120 miles. Is it winter? And that fell to 85. With sweaty hands and an anxious eye on the battery indicator, I set out on a 70-mile round trip one chilly morning. Just eight percent of the way home, I vowed I would stop making fun of my neighbor who owns a Prius.
At least one bright spot remains. The small 35.5 kWh battery pack of the e can be fully charged in about 30 minutes at a 50kW station. It is ideal for city inhabitants. When you’re out grocery shopping once a week, just plug it in. Vacationers, though? You will become an expert at “charge stop bingo,” searching for stations like a person addicted to coffee shops.
The e’s Hidden Weapon: Driving Joy
The Honda e really shines when you’re the one controlling the vehicle. Its 50/50 weight distribution and rear-wheel drive make it very tossable, which is funny. Its agility on twisting backroads is reminiscent of a terrier going after a squirrel. Unusually for electric vehicles, the steering provides useful input, and the suspension handles bumps as if they were suggestions.
It changes shape when you’re in Sport mode. With an increase in pedal pressure, the 154 horsepower engine (as seen in the Advance trim) propels you forward with unexpected force. Crossing over onto freeways? No problem. As I giggled like a schoolgirl, I floated the car around a deserted roundabout on a wet day. Give it a go in a Leaf from Nissan.
Conclusion: Who Is It Intended For?
Nobody should buy a Honda e. For those who choose smiles over kilometers, for those who are design-obsessed, and for urban explorers. Those who are willing to sacrifice range for uniqueness and practicality for flair will love it. I agree that the ID.3 is the most intelligent one. The MG4 is less expensive. Neither of them, however, will make you feel like a futuristic pilot—and a hit with the van drivers.
One Last Thing: The Honda e is like a cheeky pug: little, eccentric, and very endearing. Errors and everything.
Related Post: BMW i3 : Where Sustainability Meets Innovation in Electric Mobility
