The Honda e, expensive, compromised and I still want one

Honda has finally joined the EV game with their highly-anticipated 'e'. No, it's not a recreational party drug, it's the Japanese manufacturer's first foray into the world of electric cars. The 'e', despite having some similarities, is quite far removed from the original concept, which was shown to us at the Geneva Motor Show in 2017.

Honda Urban EV concept from 2017

That concept had bigger wheels, a more squat, muscular stance and a generally more sporting bent. The concept was also called the Honda Urban EV, which is a much better name than just a single-letter moniker (especially when you're trying to write about it). When the wraps were taken off the production model mid-way through 2019, some bemoaned the fact that the design was so far removed from the concept, but those people were dreaming if they thought that car was going to become a reality. The final design fits the brief perfectly. It's a small, compact city-car, that strikes a balance between under-stated elegance and eye-catching style, to gleefully announce Honda's arrival into this new and ever-growing segment.

Honda e interior

This continues on into the interior too. The cabin is modern and airy, wrapped in premium materials (where necessary) and jam-packed with the latest and greatest tech. There's even a HDMI port, should you wish to plug in your PS4 and play games on one of the giant, dash mounted screens. The 'e' also does without traditional fixtures, like wing mirrors, instead using much smaller cameras, which reduce aerodynamic drag, and display the mirrored information on, crisp HD screens within the cabin.

The future is now.

The lack of an internal combustion engine has also allowed Honda to be quite innovative with the e's steering, with it having a turning circle that would make a London Taxi blush.

Not eye-catching enough, try yellow.

Where does the Honda e fall short? Well, in a few areas. Luggage space for one. The boot in the e is a piddly 171 litres, which is small be any standard.

The biggest shortfall however, is the range. Honda have intentionally made the battery in the e small and light, to aid the way the e drives. This small battery however will only get you a distance of 220km from a full charge. And that's the manufacturer claim, which we all know we can take with a pinch of salt. All of the e's rivals have a much better claimed range, most notably the Peugeot e208, which can manage 350km and the Renault ZOE which can do a remarkable 395km. Both of these cars manage to achieve these numbers while also being cheaper and lighter than the Honda, albeit with less tech on the inside.

The Peugeot e208, one of several compelling rivals

Does this make the Honda e less desirable? Well, having spent quite a lot of time behind the wheel of a rather tatty Renault Clio in the last 12 months, I must admit, the charm of a little French hatchback has got under my skin. Which raises my interest in the Renault and especially the funky Peugeot, even more. Yet, despite the relatively poor range, impracticality and stronger rivals, I still want an e. It's just such a desirable object. It's design is so well judged and it just oozes character the rest of the market has yet to manage with their electric offerings.

Character is a much more important aspect of car ownership than any other objective reason. The only real issue I can see is, I don't have 40 grand to spend on a car, and even if I did, it would still go on something with pistons until they're outlawed. The Honda though, it has certainly made the inevitable move to electricity all the more palatable.