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Expert Rating

Honda e

(2020 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

68
%
B

Used car score:

70
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

62
%
D

Safety Rating:

63
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

82
%
A

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

68
%
B

Used car score:

70
%
A

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

62
%
D

Safety Rating:

63
%
C

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

82
%
A

Summary


The Honda e is a small five-door electric city car hatchback. After various concept versions were shown by Honda in 2017 and 2018, the production version was revealed in 2019 and arrived in the UK in Summer 2020.

Unlike most electric vehicles currently on sale, the Honda e was designed from the ground up as an electric car rather than being based on an existing petrol model. It is also a showcase for a new design direction for Honda, combining 1970s and 1980s retro styling elements with start-of-the-art technology.

Media reviews for the Honda e have been positive but cautionary. It has received universally high praise for its styling, technology and driving dynamics, which distinguish it from any other city car (either electric or petrol-powered). But reviewers have also universally pointed out that the Honda e is expensive, with a starting price of more than £34,000, and has a limited battery range of not much more than 100 miles in real-world conditions.

As of February 2024, the Honda e has a New Car Expert Rating of B with a score of 68%. This score has been steadily falling for the last year as newer EV rivals have arrived in the UK that have been objectively superior to the e in almost every way.

Key specifications


Body style: Small five-door hatch
Motor: electric, battery-powered
Price: From £34,420 on-road

Launched: Summer 2020
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Reviews, road test and comparisons from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

The Car Expert

+

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Autocar

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Car Keys

+

Carwow

+

Company Car Today

+

Daily Mail

+

Daily Mirror

+

Discover EV

+

Eurekar

+

Evo

+

Green Car Guide

+

Heycar

+

Honest John

+

Move Electric

+

Parkers

+

The Intercooler

+

The Sun

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

What Car?

+

Which EV?

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2020
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 76%
Child protection: 82%
Vulnerable road users: 62%
Safety assist: 65%

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of February 2024, the Honda e has not been lab tested by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Honda e is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing if and when it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of February 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Honda e to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy. As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Honda e, we’ll publish the score here.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

Battery rangeAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models137 milesC137 – 137 milesC – C
Electrical efficiencyAverageScoreVariationScore
EV models3.7 m/KWhD3.7 – 3.9 m/KWhC – D
Insurance groupAverageScoreVariationScore
All models27B25 – 29B – C
Service and maintenanceCostScore
Year 1£135A
Year 2£301A
Year 3£526A
Year 4£664A
Year 5£975A
Overall£2,601A

The Honda e is a relatively affordable car to own and run, according to whole-life cost numbers provided exclusively to The Car Expert by our data partner, Clear Vehicle Data.

It’s electrical efficiency (the EV equivalent of miles per gallon for a petrol or diesel car) is lower than the average EV, while insurance premiums should be good compared to other cars as well. But the good news is that scheduled servicing costs for the Honda e are excellent.

In addition, an official battery range of 137 miles is about average. That said, there a a number of newer EV hatchbacks on the market that can muster a few more miles on a single charge than this.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Honda e has received

2021

  • UK Car of the Year Awards – Best City Car
  • Business Motoring Awards – Best Small Car
  • DieselCar and EcoCar Top 50 – Best Electric City Car
  • Southern Group of Motoring Writers Awards – Car of the Year

2020

  • Red Dot Design Awards – Best of the Best + Smart Product Award
  • DrivingElectric Awards – Best Tech

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Honda e, you might also be interested in these alternatives

BMW i3 | Fiat 500 Electric | Mini Electric | Peugeot e-208 | Renault Zoe | SEAT Mii Electric | Smart EQ Fortwo | Smart EQ Forfour | Vauxhall Corsa Electric | Volkswagen e-Up

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The Honda e electric city car has been praised for its retro-futuristic styling and technology, but criticised for poor battery range.Honda e