31/08/2025

theSunday Special XIV ON SUNDAY AUG 31, 2025

Redesigned centre console.

Minor offroading.

18-inch dual tone alloys.

Blind spot monitor.

e:N1, we had around 297km of range with 94% of battery. We were heading from Mangala Estate Boutique Resort, Pahang, to Pineyard, Bentong, for a quick bite, then back to Honda Malaysia, Petaling Jaya. The total travel distance was around 226km, according to the GPS, but we still had to take into consideration our driving style and be prepared for unwanted situa tions. But at the same time, we had to put the car to the test. So we drove like our fellow Malaysians and tried out the different drive modes (Normal, Eco and Sport). There were three drivers, so three differ ent driving styles. We went through highways, small town roads and winding back roads. So, were we able to make it back without stopping to juice up? Yes we did. When we parked at Honda Malaysia in Petaling Jaya, we still had 68km of driv ing range and 21% of battery! This is with an average speed of 125kph and 7.6km/kWh. In Honda we trust, and it did not let us down. But of course, if you are planning to drive longer distances, you will have to dedicate some time to charging it up. Which is why owning an EV means changing your lifestyle. You will have to plan your routes and drive accordingly to the percentage of your battery. The e:N1 can be fast-charged from 10% to 80% battery in about 45 minutes using a DC CCS2 charger with a 78kW output. Honda with no LaneWatch and a huge touchscreen? If you have read our previous reviews on Honda models, you will know that we had a love-hate relationship with Honda’s Lane Watch, but eventually got used to it. So, driving the e:N1 that does not have the LaneWatch felt a little weird. Instead of Lane Watch, Honda has replaced it with a Blind Spot Monitor. Why do we say it feels weird? Because if you are familiar with the Lane Watch system, you know that it will override your screen, which means you will not be

able to see your navigation screen. Of course, you can override it via the signal lever, but that takes some getting used to. The e:N1, however, has a huge 15.1 inch Advanced Touch Display Audio touchscreen panel! This is brilliantly done because it splits into three different sec tions. At the top, you have your CarPlay details, which include Spotify and naviga tion controls. In the middle, you have the informa tion section, which allows you to enter the settings menu, power flow and EV menu. Finally, at the bottom part of the screen are your air conditioning controls. Which means, you will not have to navi gate through menus to get to the controls! So, we were thinking that Lane Watch would have been perfect for this layout because it would not have to override your navigation screen. But of course, a high-definiton camera compared with the ones in the market now would be a nice touch. And a note from the editor also pointed out that having Lane Watch on the right of the car instead of only on the left would be welcomed as well. Honda has always made its tech very accessible and user friendly, even with the smaller screens that you get in other models. So, take that, add a high-def camera on the left and right of the car and incorpo rate it into this massive screen, and you have the perfect marriage. Of course, you still get Honda Sensing, which features Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking, Auto High-Beam, and a Lead Car Departure Notification system. Perfect powertrain We have driven countless numbers of SUVs; some feel overpowered, some underpowered, and some just feel like they’re missing something. However, when we got behind the wheel of the e:N1, pushed it through corners at low

Accessible air conditioning controls.

Final thoughts For an EV, it drives differently com pared with the Stormtroopers you get from China. The e:N1 speaks to the driver; it tells you everything that is going on. The suspension is so well tuned that it does not feel like you are in a spaceship. This car has soul and character, so kudos to Honda for making it feel and drive the way it does. For everything that this SUV offers, we do not mind paying a premium price of RM149,900 for quality. Specifications Motor: Single, front-mounted Power: 204PS Torque: 310Nm 0-100kph: 7.7 seconds Top speed: 160kph Charging: 45 minutes with 78kW DC / 6 hours with 11kW AC We like: Infotainment layout and driv ing experience. We don’t like: Not parked in our garage.

speed and high speed, flying on high ways, cruising through towns, we felt like this SUV has the perfect powertrain. There is power when you need it; 204PS on tap with 310Nm of torque. This is not overpowered because it does not want to break your neck as soon as you floor it, as most electric vehicles nowadays do. It has the perfect launch power to get you out of tricky situations. Switching to sport mode when climb ing up winding roads never felt more satisfying in an SUV. There were times when we forgot that we were driving an SUV! At high-speed corners, we were lean ing a little, but that’s normal as the seats are not specifically designed for that. However, you do not get that weird body roll that can make you carsick. It feels stable at corners and high speeds because it has a 1,662kg kerb weight, which balances the power-to weight ratio, coupled with a perfectly tuned suspension.