Honda e review: electric city car’s characterful charm comes at a price

Back in 2017 Honda caused an absolute storm at the Frankfurt Motor Show when it unveiled the Urban EV Concept.

The ultra-cute electric city car attracted more attention than almost anything else at the show and drew clamours to stick number plates on it and get it into showrooms immediately.

Of course, it’s not that simple but four years later Honda had turned the concept into a reality and despite gaining a couple of extra doors and sitting a little taller, it’s remarkable how much of that original show car has made it onto the road.

For a start, it’s still a tiny rear-drive electric city car. And despite compromises for safety and practicality it has kept all of the cheeky charm of the concept with its rounded square styling, circular LED running light “eyes” and touches like door-mounted cameras in place of wing mirrors.

The rear doors are cleverly designed, with hidden handles to give the car as close to a three-door look as possible and it’s a clean smooth look that’s likely to appeal to buyers considering other retro-inspired EVs like the Fiat 500 and Mini Electric.

While the exterior is a study in “noiseless” design, there’s a lot - a lot - more going on inside. Some of it great, some of it less so.