Launched: Honda e:N1 – 68.8 kWh Battery, 412 KM Range, RM149,900

Honda Malaysia officially launched its first BEV offering locally today in the form of the Honda e:N1 EV SUV.

At long last, Honda Malaysia officially launched its first ever battery electric vehicle (BEV) offering earlier today in the form of the new Honda e:N1. Previewed locally late last year during KLIMS 2024, bookings were opened starting April this year.

Today’s launch see Honda Malaysia announce the model’s official price tag of RM149,900, with firm adding that the model will be available in limited quantities initially. The firm didn’t specify an exact number for which, but this does indicate several things.

The Honda e:N1 arrives locally as a CBU offering for now, and it's available through just 8 dealers across Peninsular Malaysia (details for which available at end of post).

Firstly, the Honda e:N1 arrives as a fully imported (CBU) offering - likely made in Thailand - for now. Honda Malaysia has not outright stated any commitments to localise (CKD) the model yet, though there are signs pointing towards which – this limited launch quantity being one.

Nevertheless, the e:N1 is finally here now with just one variant on offer, and here’s what you can expect in the first BEV offering from the long-standing Japanese H-brand that many Malaysians seems to covet, regardless of model type and segment.

In terms of footprint and design, the Honda e:N1 closely resembles its ICE-powered Honda HR-V stablemate.

Sitting 4,380 MM long with a 2,610 MM wheelbase, 1,790 MM wide, and 15,92 MM tall, the Honda e:N1 shares a similar footprint as its combustion (ICE)-powered Honda HR-V stablemate. In fact, they both look rather similar, though the e:N1 does sport EV-specific design touches.

The latter includes the blanked-out grille up front where the charging port is also housed, as well as a series of non-chrome Honda badges and Honda script badge adorned in its tailgate section. Before you ask, just three exterior paint options will be offered – white, blue and grey.

The Honda e:N1 is driven by a new three-in-one e-motor outputting 2-1 HP (150 kW) and 310 NM to the front wheels, and this sees 0-100 KM/H dashes sone in 7.7 secs.

Underneath, the e:N1 underpins a new e:N Architecture F platform base developed by Honda to feature a high rigidity body structure with a low centre of gravity. Housed in this platform is a new three-in-one front-mounted e-motor plus a 96-cell 68.8 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The latter juices the former to output 201 HP (150 KW) and 310 NM to the front wheels (FWD), thus enabling 0-100 KM/H sprints in just 7.7 secs whilst enroute towards a claimed 160 KM/H V-max. Critically, each full charge yields a claimed WLTP-rated range of 412 KM.

As for charging speeds and times, the Honda e:N1 firstly accepts 11 kW AC charging inputs as its base, thus seeing full recharges through which attained in six hours. Secondly, it also accepts DC fast charging, albeit up to just 78 KW, which in turn sees 10-80% re-charges done in 45 minutes.

The 96-cell 68.8 kWh battery packs accepts 11 KW AC and 78 KW DC charging inputs, with each full charge yielding up to 412 KM of WLTP-rated range.

On board, the e:N1 sees its cabin decked out with plush black leather seat upholstery matched with contrast blue pipe-stitching. The front seats are eight-way power-adjustable units, whilst displays are handled by both a 15.1-inch central touchscreen and a 10.25-inch TFT instrument panel.

We’ll highlight that the infotainment unit mentioned, which is a new Advanced Touch Display Audio unit, comes primed with both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity suites.

Other notable amenities primed aboard include dual-zone automatic climate control with dedicated rear vents, six-speaker audio suite, 15-watt wireless charging pad, USB-A and USB-C charging ports, as well as ambient lighting and door line illumination.

On board, the Honda e:N1 is richly equipped with various convenient tech and amenities. It's also laden with the Honda Sensing ADAS suite in full.

Moving to driving assistance and, typical of Honda, the e:N1 is primed with the Honda Sensing ADAS suite in full that enables high degree of semi-autonomous driving. Whilst similar as the suite primed in most of other models, there’s one key difference here – there’s no LaneWatch.

Instead, the e:N1’s Honda Sensing suite ditches the LaneWatch camera-based function for a sensor-based blind-spot monitor instead. In turn, the e:N1 is now the first Honda model offered locally with said feature, as well as rear cross-traffic alert (RCTA).

As for basic safety, the Honda e:N1 is laced with six airbags lining its cabin, electronic stability control (VSA), hill-start assist, front and rear parking sensor, reverse camera, and reverse auto-tilt side view mirrors – common in continental makes, but it’s a first for any Honda.

With limited quantities available for now, the Honda e:N1 is priced at just RM149,900 each.

Lastly, after-sales. Included in the RM149,900 price tag mentioned is an 8-year or 160,000 KM EV battery and EV drive system warranty. That comes on top of a 3-year or 100,000 KM base vehicle warranty plus a 3-year complimentary service package.

Presently, the Honda e:N1 is only available for bookings through eight specific dealerships across Peninsular Malaysia: