Will the US Ever Get This Honda EV?

• Honda reveals e:Ny1 battery-electric crossover in Offenbach, Germany, as the automaker’s second EV to be sold in Europe.
• The e:Ny1 is powered by a 68.8-kWh battery, producing 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque.
• At the moment this model is slated for Europe, while Honda prepares to roll out the larger Prologue stateside.

Honda took the wraps off the e:Ny1 electric crossover a few days ago, previewing a production-ready model that will go on sale relatively shortly—at least in Europe.

The e:Ny1 is based on Honda’s e:N Architecture F platform, becoming the second battery-electric model to be offered across the Atlantic, accompanying the Honda e hatchback.

Powered by a 68.8-kWh battery, the smallish crossover features a front-wheel-drive layout promising 201 hp and 229 lb-ft of torque, giving it a range of 256 miles in the WLTP cycle. The EPA range, if we ever receive one, is bound to be far more conservative, perhaps landing around the 200-mile mark. This doesn’t make the e:Ny1 a short-range model per se, but it wouldn’t be among the most generous offerings when it comes to range.

If it seems like you’ve seen this model before, that’s because the e:Ny1 is closely related to the Chinese-market e:NS1 and e:NP1 revealed not long ago. The new vehicle features a relatively wide track and very short overhangs, buying the battery plenty of room underneath, while also giving the model a low center of gravity.

“The e:Ny1 is the logical next step on our electrification journey in Europe,” said Tom Gardner, Senior Vice President at Honda Motor Europe Ltd.

A fastback profile trades some cargo space for today’s trendy shape, while rear door handles moved up into the window frame give the electric crossover a Niva-like look. Honda used high-tensile steel across 47% of the body, improving torsional rigidity.

On the inside, the e:Ny1 features a 15.1-inch vertically oriented infotainment touchscreen that replaces most if not all buttons.

“Our development philosophy blends intelligent, customer-centric technology with beautiful design and fun-to-drive dynamics. This latest SUV exemplifies Honda’s commitment to electrification and is the latest step on Honda’s electrification journey,” Gardner added.

At the moment, the curiously named e:Ny1 will stay in Europe, with Honda and Acura planning to offer a duo of larger, Ultium-based SUVs in the US starting next year.

But Honda’s own e:Architecture will arrive stateside a bit later in the decade, underpinning other electric models that have yet to be revealed. One of these could be a smaller electric model in this general segment.

But whether it will be a carbon copy of the e:Ny1 remains to be seen.

Should Honda offer this model stateside, or do US consumers prefer larger electric SUVs with more range? Let us know what you think.