Honda e:N1: Familiar, Frugal and Now From RM115,900*

The Honda e:N1 has arguably proven that efficiency isn’t just about numbers on paper. We recently drove one from Kuala Lumpur to Johor, and the compact EV SUV completed the 326.4 KM  trip on a single charge, arriving at our destination with 7% SoC left.

The drive wasn’t a hypermiling one either. Average speeds ranged between 90 and 120 km/h, there were three passengers and luggage on board, and the vehicle stayed powered on through three quick bathroom stops. By journey’s end, the average consumption read at 17.5 kWh/100 KM, or 5.7 KM per kWh.

Considering its 68.8 kWh battery size, the numbers line up neatly with Honda’s claimed WLTP-rated 412 KM range, which is indeed achievable or rather close to achievable in mixed urban usage conditions.

For context, many compact electric SUVs on the market typically consume between 17 and 20 kWh/100 KM in similar conditions depending on speed and load.

What impressed us most was how the e:N1’s range delivery in the final 10% of charge didn’t drop off sharply. It remained consistent and confidence-inspiring throughout the journey. That puts the Honda e:N1 right in the sweet spot for real-world efficiency.

Underneath, the e:N1 runs on Honda’s new e:N Architecture F platform and packs a front-mounted 201 hp motor that delivers 310 Nm of torque. It feels lively when you want it to be, capable of sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 secs, yet calm and refined on long stretches.

With front-wheel-drive (FWD) and a well-tuned chassis, the e:N1 feels planted and easy to handle in all conditions. It delivers that familiar Honda sense of balance and control, something that many EVs in this segment tend to overlook ending up feeling floaty at most times.

Inside, it looks and feels every bit like any modern combustion (ICE)-powered Honda. The layout is familiar yet futuristic, with a large 15.1-inch central touchscreen paired with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

You get wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a wireless charging pad. The cabin is neatly trimmed in black leather with white stitching and blue trim, giving it a subtle premium feel without trying too hard.

Safety is well covered too. The e:N1 comes equipped with the Honda Sensing suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, lane keeping assist, and a blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

It does however miss out on a 360-degree camera, but otherwise, it’s a well packaged daily driver. Six airbags, stability control, and a solid eight-year or 160,000 KM battery warranty rounds off the list.

When it was launched back in May, the e:N1 carried a price tag of RM149,900. Fast forward to today, and Honda Malaysia’s 25th Anniversary celebration has brought that figure down to RM115,900, though only whilst this campaign and stocks last.

That’s a massive drop, and it now makes it amongst the most affordable EV SUV in its class. The price cut is a bold move that shifts the e:N1 from being a niche consideration to a far more competitive contender.

However, it is good to point out that the e:N1 isn’t the most advanced or feature-packed EV SUV out there, but that’s exactly its charm for some. It’s a straightforward, approachable EV that feels instantly familiar - likely appealing to drivers transitioning from petrol to electric.

It’s comfortable, predictible, and easy to live with, in other words, very much what you’d expect from Honda, now in electric form.

After a week behind the wheel, the e:N1 makes a stronger case for itself than expected, especially at its new price point. At launch, the e:N1 was a tough proposition; on paper, it seemed outgunned by the newer Chinese EVs that promised more performance and features for less.

If there’s one thing Honda ought to do next, it’s to get more people behind the wheel. The e:N1’s ride and handling easily outshine some of its rivals, even without the extra tech wizardry - something ‘legacy’ carmakers such as this Japanese H-marque tends to get right.

It’s proof that you don’t always need flashy features or exaggerated range claims to enjoy a well-balanced and confidence-inspiring drive.

SPECIFICATION - Honda e:N1