Surprise: The Honda E Isn't As Expensive As We Feared
Judging by hints made by company representatives earlier this year, we were expecting the production version of the Honda e to be rather expensive. However, while it’s far from the sub-£20k EV for the masses the world could do with, it isn’t quite as pricey as feared.
Factoring in the UK government’s £3500 electric car grant, the range starts at £26,160 for the entry-level 134bhp version. That’s just over £1000 more than the Peugeot e-208, which has a better range but isn’t anywhere near as cool.
If you want the ‘Advance’ version of the E with its better spec and 152bhp motor, the price increases to £28,660. Along with the bump in power, buyers receive a ‘Centre Mirror System’, Honda Parking Pilot and a better sound system.
If you prefer paying in smaller chunks - which most do these days - it’ll be £299 a month on a PCP over 36 months for the base car with a £5887.37 deposit, or £349 with £5,858.94 down.
The electric powertrain - which is good for 232lb ft of torque - will propel the E to 62mph in about eight seconds. It has a range of up to 136 miles, and when you’re out of power, an 80 per cent recharge is possible in around 30 minutes.
Just like the exterior, the interior is completely new territory for Honda. No sub-par, off-the-shelf infotainment systems here - instead, the dashboard is made up of five screens. There’s a digital instrument cluster, a central display plus another next to it for the passenger, and two screens showing a feed from the camera mirrors.
Want one? The Advance is available to order from today, but if it’s the entry-level car you’re after, patience is required - it won’t be available until early next year.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
This thing really just keeps getting better and better. The want is increasing
Looks like every Suzuki Swift will be getting replaced with these Honda Es. Same size and suzuki hasn’t made their own electric variant.
Suzukis a MUCH smaller car company compared to the giant that is Toyota and Honda.
Hell they don’t even sell in the USA anymore, which Mazda still do, and if mazda doesn’t have the funds for a full electric, how will Suzuki?
Based on size it’s relatively expensive, based on driveline, yeah that’s pretty cheap
Type R when?
That would be a cool idea
ev grants are stupid.
Let the market decide, don’t regulate shit that doesn’t need regulation
It’s in governments top priority to clean the cities, no?
It’s literally free money
What are you on about? A government incentive isn’t regulation.
Careful, too much salt and you’ll get high blood pressure
Car manufacturers have to learn from Honda. You CAN get the automotive audience hyped about a small underpowered EV.
Is 152bhp really that low? I mean I don’t know its weight, but it’s a small RWD car with Miata specs.
You clearly haven’t driven an EV. 152 electric horses in a small city car. It’ll be zippy.
And the US can’t have one, great cries in the corner
The US will get some EVs in 2025
I just LOVE the Honda E. I just wish it had a 3 door variant
Cant see how your justifying the price of this. Only £1000 more expensive than a E208 which has a range of 210 miles. A battery of roughly 18kwh bigger. I get the tech honda put into this car but sorry. More money for less range and a battery that will wear out quicker than a Peugeot E208. This honda is nice. But over priced. It roughly costs £10,000 for a 17kwh battery. This honda has 32kwh So in theory costs around £18000 for the battery. Where is the rest of the money spent…. Obviously manufactures dont pay consumer battery prices as the figures ive quoted. But even still.
Car prices aren’t just about the materials. You also have to factor in designing costs, development costs, testing costs, manufacturing costs, marketing costs… The list goes on.
It is much more expensive than I thought it would be. ID.3 €30k/330km range. Honda €33-36k/220km range.