31/08/2025

Contributing Editor Keshy Dhillon / keshy@piston.my Editorial

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SUNDAY | AUG 31, 2025

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0-100kph in 7.7 seconds.

Done right! Honda’s e:N1 shows how all EV’s should drive and handle

BY TIMOTHY PRAKASH

AN SUV, or Sport Utility Vehicle, is basi cally the all-rounder of the car world. What makes an SUV an SUV comes down to a mix of size, style, powertrain and practicality. Stating the obvious here, but they sit higher off the ground than regular cars, which not only makes them look tougher but also gives drivers a better view of the road. – which is why SUV’s have become so popular. Inside, you’ll find more space, whether it’s for passengers, luggage, or that last minute Ikea run, making them a favourite for families and road-trippers alike. Another big part of the modern SUV appeal is adaptability. Some come with different drive modes which allow them to handle everything from rainy highways to the occasional dirt trail. Even if most owners stick to city streets, it’s nice knowing the car could do more. Honda has built a strong reputation worldwide for making cars that are reli able, practical, and efficient, and its SUV lineup is no exception. The brand started out producing small, economical vehicles, but as customer needs shifted towards bigger and more versatile cars, Honda quickly adapted. Their SUVs are designed to combine everyday usability with comfort and style, while still carrying Honda’s trademark dependability. Models like the CR-V have become global best-sellers, striking the right bal ance between size, fuel efficiency, and family-friendly practicality. In markets like Malaysia, the HR-V has also gained a huge following thanks to its compact footprint paired with surpris ingly spacious interior.

344 litres of boot space.

Gear selector.

But of course, these come with an internal combustion engine. How about an electric powertrain? The first major leap came with the Honda Prologue, introduced in 2024 for North America. Built on General Motors’ Ultium plat form, it provided Honda with a quick and competitive entry into the electric SUV segment. In Asia, Honda has launched its e:N series, starting with models like the e:NP2, e:NS2 and e:N1. These compact electric SUVs are designed for urban buyers, combining sleek styling with practical range figures up to about 545km in China and 412km The e:N1 is Honda’s first all-electric SUV that entered the Malaysian market, marking the brand’s serious step into the EV space. Built on Honda’s global e:N architec ture, the e:N1 blends modern styling with practicality, offering a familiar SUV shape while being powered purely by electricity. (WLTP) for the e:N1. What is the e:N1?

Positioned as an accessible yet pre mium entry into the EV segment, it deliv ers a smooth, quiet driving experience with instant torque, all wrapped in a package that feels unmistakably Honda. The e:N1 is designed not only to appeal to eco-conscious buyers but also to those who want an easy transition from tradi tional petrol-powered SUVs to the world of electric mobility. On paper, any car will look good, so here’s what we learned after testing the e:N1. Difference between the e:N1 and HR-V At first glance, the Honda e:N1 and the current HR-V in Malaysia look very simi lar, but underneath, they’re built quite differently. The e:N1 sits on Honda’s dedicated e:N architecture F platform, which is pur pose-built for EVs. This setup gives it a lower centre of gravity and better aerody namics. Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor pushing out 204PS and

310Nm, allowing it to hit 100kph in just 7.7 seconds. Dimension-wise, both SUVs are nearly identical in size, with the same 2,610mm wheelbase. But because of its underfloor battery pack, the e:N1 rides much lower with just 142mm of ground clearance compared with the HR-V’s 196mm (RS) or 183mm (non-RS). This lower stance improves stability but sacrifices some of the HR-V’s ride height. The e:N1 also has a slightly wider turning radius at 5.7m versus the HR-V’s 5.5m. Sufficient driving range for short getaways Range anxiety is something we all fear when buying electric vehicles. Does it have enough range for my daily routine? Can I balik kampung with this range? Are there enough charging stations on the way? These are questions that run through our heads when considering to purchase an EV. To be honest, when we got into the