HONDA E:NY1

Honesty is the best policy. Especially for EVs with not that much range

- JAMES ATTWOOD

WHY WE'RE RUNNING IT

To find out if Honda's first electric SUV can impress in a crowded class

The first few weeks with any new car are spent trying to work out how to get the most out of it- and that's especially true when it comes to electric cars. To feel comfortable running one, you just need to know exactly how far you can get before it will need more energy.

The good news is that the Honda e:Nyl seems to be relatively honest in its predictions. There's always going to be a greater variance in the range estimate of an EV compared with a combustion car, because the greater efficiency of electric motors means external factors such as the ambient temperature and the type of driving you're doing have a bigger impact. But while I have found the range estimates of some EVs to be very best-casescenario optimistic, the e:Nyl seems pleasingly truthful.

That's crucial: it means the range that's showing on the dash when you set off is broadly how far you will get. So, as long as you drive fairly steadily, you can plan things like charging stops and be fairly sure you won't have to adjust after realising you won't make it.