Honda e:Ny1

Should you consider this small electric SUV over a Smart or Volvo EX30? We're living with one to find out

- James Tute

LIKE MANY SUPERSTARS - Beyoncé, Bowie, Britney and so on - some car models are so familiar that just one word will do to describe them. So, the question "What do you drive?" is quickly answered: "Civic", "Qashqai" or (in your favourite dream) "Testarossa".

It's safe to say the Honda e:Nyl isn't quite there yet. Therefore, since taking delivery of mine, I've used variations of the following rather a lot: "An e:Ny1. It's an electric SUV that looks just like a Honda HR-V. No, you're thinking of the ZR-V; this one's smaller and... oh, forget it, here's a photo."

None of which, of course, has any bearing on whether or not you should buy one.

What matters to me - and what I'll be testing over the next few months - is what it's like to drive on London's hectic roads and beyond, as well as whether charging up the e:Ny1 proves quick and cheap, and whether it keeps me and my passengers comfortable.

I've run a small electric car previously and it was ideal for negotiating narrow city streets and making use of tight parking spaces. So, now I want to find out whether switching to an electric SUV robs me of those benefits, or whether the (actually fairly compact) e:Nyl is just as manageable - or even better in its own way.