Honda e Advance (2022) Review

Today, I’m super excited because I finally got to spend some quality time with the 2022 Honda e Advance. As a long time fan of its retro-futuristic design, I’ve been itching to see what it’s actually like to live with. Is it just a pretty face or does it live up to the hype? Let's dive into the details.

If you’re in the market for a stylish, tech-forward, and fun electric car that’s designed for short, urban journeys, the 2022 Honda e Advance should definitely be on your radar.

Premium Feel with a Hefty Price Tag

First off, let’s talk price. The Honda e Advance is positioned as a premium city car, with prices starting just shy of £37,000. It's not the cheapest EV on the market, but Honda has packed in a lot of features that justify the price point — especially for urban dwellers. With a 0-62mph time of 8.3 seconds and a claimed range of 131 miles, you're looking at more like 100 miles in real-world driving conditions. That might be a sticking point for some, but we’ll get to why it shouldn't be later.

Interior: A Blend of Retro and Tech

Step inside, and the first thing you’ll notice is the Honda e’s stunning interior. It perfectly blends retro charm with cutting-edge tech. Everything feels well put together, and the layout is spot on. The multifunctional steering wheel is easy to use, and gear selection is just a button press away.

There are some nifty features here too. You’ve got a 3-pin plug socket for a laptop, HDMI ports, and USB slots galore. But — full disclosure — the boot space is only 171 litres, so packing for a weekend trip could be tight. Still, the Honda e is designed for city driving, not long road trips, so I can forgive that.

Charging: Simplicity at Its Best

Charging the Honda e couldn’t be simpler. Press a button on the key fob, and the charging port pops open. It's waterproof and locks securely when the car is locked, so no one can mess with it. A full charge from a standard 3-pin plug takes about 14 hours, but a 7kW home charger will have you ready in just over five hours. If you're in a rush, a rapid charger gets you from 10% to 80% in around 42 minutes. Pretty decent for city use!

Range: Don’t Let It Be a Deal breaker

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room — the range. With a real-world range of around 100 miles, the 2022 Honda e Advance might seem inadequate to some. But here's the thing: This car is built for city driving. It excels at short trips, school runs, and shopping excursions. If you’re looking for a motorway warrior, this isn’t it. But for city life? It might just be the perfect option.

Rear-wheel drive and a fantastic turning radius make it a breeze to park and manoeuvre in tight urban spaces. It even has a park assist feature, so the car does most of the work for you. So yeah, the range shouldn’t be a deal breaker — especially if this is a second car or a dedicated city car.

Mirrorless Marvel: A Digital Future

One of the most interesting aspects of the Honda e is its lack of traditional wing mirrors. Instead, you get little camera stalks that feed live video to screens inside the car. Sounds gimmicky, but it works brilliantly. I got used to it within minutes, and they actually provide a clearer, more functional view than traditional mirrors. There’s also a digital rear-view mirror, which is great, especially if your view is blocked by luggage or, like me, camera gear.

Performance: Small But Mighty

The Honda e might not be a Tesla, but it packs a surprising punch for its size. The low-slung, rear-wheel drive setup combined with electric power gives it a responsive and nippy feel. It’s perfect for darting through city streets and navigating tight corners. You won’t win any drag races, but it’s quick enough to put a smile on your face.

The handling is impressive for a car of this size, and the one-pedal driving mode makes city driving even easier. Sure, it takes some getting used to, but once you master it, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it.

Tech & Infotainment: Packed with Features

The dual-screen infotainment system in the Honda e is a standout. It allows both the driver and passenger to control different things simultaneously. You can even send controls from one side of the screen to the other — whether it's entering a new sat nav destination or changing the stereo.

The sat nav itself is decent, though not the best on the market. But with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay standard, most people will probably use their phones anyway. And props to Honda for including an old-school volume knob on the dash — sometimes, simple is best!

Final Thoughts: A Fun, City-Focused EV

Honda is known for reliability and practicality, but fun? Not so much — until now. The Honda e Advance breaks the mould, offering a quirky, fun-to-drive, and genuinely unique city car. Yes, the range is limited, the boot’s small, and it’s not exactly a family hauler. But if you need a second car or a dedicated urban vehicle, this might just be perfect.

Am I sad to see it go? Absolutely. For city driving, the Honda e Advance ticks all the right boxes. If you’re in the market for a stylish, tech-forward, and fun electric car that’s designed for short, urban journeys, the 2022 Honda e Advance should definitely be on your radar.

To find out the latest lease prices for a Honda e Advance, Click here.