Back from the future – the new Honda e is a retro take on the electric car with oodles of futuristic features. Editor Sophie Ritchie shares more on this sleek & zippy runaround…
A contemporary car that looks nothing like its conventional older siblings, the Honda e stands out on the road with serious style that its other Honda predecessors somewhat lacked.
‘Gene’ wise however, it retains Honda’s knack for practical design and exemplary engineering. The new model however, offers adorable aesthetics and endlessly cool features that give this little electric car the real ‘power of dreams’.
With living room inspired interiors and all the latest tech within, the Honda e is a car that’s both classy and fun – although its costly price tag and relatively limited range are drawbacks that might put you off. But if it’s a ‘just for fun’ modish city runaround you’re after, then look no further.
Cost & Competitors
The starting price of this zippy vehicle will set you back from £26,660, with main market competitors including Vauxhall Corsa-e, the electric Fiat 500 and the MINI electric.
Buyers can choose from two models – the Honda e and Honda e Advance (which comes with a number of superior features such as upgraded wifi and a rear-view mirror that doubles as a reversing camera in comparison to the entry level car).
Features & Tech Specs
No horses or engines in sight, of course. Power comes from a 35.5kWh lithium-ion battery, with a rear-mounted electric motor that drives the rear wheels. Range wise, the Honda e has a limit of 137 miles – making it ideal for short city trips but less appealing for those wishing to road trip across the country for a summer staycation.
The interiors are superb: stylishly spacious, comfortable and tech-packed as far as the eye can see. Wing mirrors are replaced with cameras, with an 8-inch display in front of the driver as well as two 12-inch screens which provide the option of everything from activating onboard wi-fi to playing Mario Kart. Well, that’s one way to solve boredom in traffic.
Sofa style fabrics and sleek wooden panelling create a cozy environment: the perfect setting for a luxurious drive.
The Test Drive
I take it for a spin around the idyllic Windsor countryside, making the most of its ‘inside out’ concept and simplistic Japanese style. Its eye-catching design turns heads as I manoeuvre through various towns and roads and it’s hard not to fall in love with the forward-thinking touches – this car takes care of the hard work for you.
I love its clever user-friendly details – such as dual connection options. You can hook up for your phone to one screen and use Apple CarPlay for example whilst keeping the car’s own systems running in another screen. Music playlists to the left, SatNav on the right.
This avoids the problem of constantly disconnecting and reconnecting devices that comes with most vehicles – a small but meaningful win for the modern day driver.
The Wordrobe Verdict
It’s clever, it’s compact and it’s extremely cute to boot. If you’re looking for a reliable city runaround that stands out from the crowd, then the Honda e is the perfect stylish concrete jungle companion.
Find out more and start the electric adventure via honda.co.uk
Words by Sophie Ritchie
