Today, let's take a look at a new car. Can you guess which brand it is based on these few details?

A front fascia with a sense of aggression, LED automatic headlights, and corresponding C-shaped taillights, multi-spoke front and rear bumper design, 18-inch blackened three-dimensional carved aluminum alloy wheels, two-tone body paint, and the unique hatchback design... Whose work from the new forces is this?

Take a closer look at this illuminated H logo, now it's clear, it's a Honda. To be precise, it's the e:NP2, Honda's second all-electric vehicle in China, but does it feel very different from the Honda you're used to?

e:NP2: Honda's Second All-Electric Vehicle

The e:NP series currently has two models. The e:NP1 was launched in 2022; the e:NP2 was launched at this year's Beijing Auto Show with a price tag of 159,800 yuan. Both are designed with the "One Touch Future" concept, but the e:NP1 and e:NP2 each have their own highlights in terms of exterior and interior details. The two cars are not simply replicas but are specifically designed according to the characteristics of the model.

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After seeing the design of the e:NP2 inside and out, you will feel that Honda has shed its previous label of pragmatism in electrification and is evolving towards a more cutting-edge and sharp direction. This general direction is correct, after all, the consumer group for gasoline Honda is more family-oriented, and the design naturally needs to be more moderate; while the electric Honda should be more inclined towards a younger demographic, with a more aggressive design.The Jipai 2 has dimensions of 4787×1838×1570mm, with a wheelbase of 2735mm. It is similar in size to the Volkswagen ID.4 and Toyota Prius 4X, but slightly longer. Its design combines elements of both an SUV and a sedan, which we commonly refer to as a crossover. The distinctive hatchback design at the rear ensures a high turn rate when driving on the road.

The Jipai 2 is equipped with a front-mounted single electric motor with a maximum power output of 150kW and a peak torque of 310Nm. It also features a ternary lithium battery pack with a capacity of 68.8 kWh, offering a pure electric range of 545km under the CLTC standard. What level do you think these motor and range specifications will be at in 2024? At a price of 159,800, does it have competitive strength?

However, when buying a Honda, it is essential to be clear about what you want. Honda's strengths lie in three other areas, which I categorize as "three senses": a sense of security, a sense of intelligence, and a sense of driving.

Buying a car is about buying peace of mind, and Honda is reliable.

To buy a car with peace of mind, one should opt for a well-established brand with a history of vehicle manufacturing. Honda is undoubtedly in this category. Founded in 1948, "Honda R&D" has a history of nearly 80 years, with products ranging from automobiles and motorcycles to engines and even airplanes. Their automobile lineup includes everything from affordable K-Cars to high-end NSX models. Honda is particularly focused on family cars suitable for the mainstream market, such as the Fit, Civic, Accord, and Odyssey, among others. From a positioning and pricing perspective, the Jipai 2 also falls into this category.

In addition to looking at the model, let's also consider Honda's sales performance. In 2023, Honda's global sales were nearly 4 million units, ranking eighth. The only Chinese brand that made it to the top ten was BYD, which, despite its popularity in China, still sold 1 million fewer units than Honda.Honda currently has a market capitalization of $55.9 billion, and its ample funds ensure that it has no major concerns, which is one of the most reassuring aspects for you. You don't have to worry about the possibility of the company suddenly going out of business like some new forces, affecting after-sales service for the vehicles.

Returning to the topic of the e:NP2, this vehicle is produced by GAC Honda. As of 2023, the joint venture GAC Honda has surpassed 10 million users, which means it has sold over 10 million cars, and the e:NP2 will be part of the 10 million plus. With 26 years of manufacturing experience, GAC Honda now has three plant areas and four production lines, with extremely strict quality control, pursuing a "super conventional" pass rate of 120%. It is one of the factories with the highest quality rate within the Honda system and has won the J.D. Power selection for the best new car quality in mainstream brands for four consecutive years.

However, unlike traditional fuel vehicles, as a brand-new electric vehicle, we should pay more attention to the battery safety of the e:NP2. Currently, electric vehicles produced by Honda still maintain a record of zero spontaneous combustions. The e:NP2 battery has undergone charging and discharging experiments at temperature differences of ±70°C, from nearly 40°C to -30°C, to verify the battery stability in extreme environments, including seawater immersion, compression impact, and more. In addition, the salt spray test intensity is eight times the national standard, and the thermal runaway test duration is five times the national standard. Of course, the national standard is the industry's "minimum standard," which must be followed to enter the market. GAC Honda's more stringent standards, which are more than five times and eight times the national standard, are to adapt to various extreme conditions that consumers may encounter.

In terms of body rigidity, the e:NP2 uses ultra-high-strength steel (980MPa) for 33.2% of its construction. By using steel and high-performance aluminum materials, it enhances structural safety and ensures better handling limits.

Produced by a major international brand, built on a pure electric architecture, and with strict quality control standards, these are the necessary conditions for a reassuring purchase. Currently, the e:NP2 meets all these requirements.

Saying goodbye to the past, Honda can also be very smart.After discussing the sense of reassurance, let's now turn our attention to the smart electric experience. In the past, when we thought of Honda's gasoline vehicles, we would label them as "reliable and durable," and also as "practical." However, being "practical" to some extent lacks a sense of coolness. In the era of electrification, it has to be said that these elements are quite important. Look at many new energy vehicles that come with personalized light language, virtual in-car character images, and even refrigerators, color TVs, and large sofas, etc. How practical are these features? But without them, one might feel that the vehicle lacks a "sense of electric."

When adapting to local customs, the e:NP2 is so new in the realm of smart electric features that it doesn't seem like a Honda at all. The illuminated "H" emblem is the most distinctive feature of the e:NP2. Inside the car, there are gesture control functions, in-car selfies, automatic upload of accident photos during emergency calls, child left behind detection and reminder functions, a 10-color ambient theme light, fragrance air purification, an intelligent heating system for seats, and 220V external power supply, among others. Many of these are first-time features on Honda vehicles, highlighting the new life of smart electric vehicles.

If a Honda gasoline vehicle owner enters the e:NP2, they might be quite surprised to find that there is also a beauty selfie camera on a Honda, and the voice assistant offers as many as seven voice tones to choose from?

In the era of electric vehicles, the driving genes will not be lost.

The third point to mention is the driving experience. Even as an electric vehicle, the e:NP2 has not lost Honda's sporty genes. It features a high-power electric motor capable of delivering 150kW/310Nm, with a 0-50km/h acceleration of 3.7 seconds. While we are accustomed to the high horsepower of electric vehicles, this set of parameters is not particularly aggressive. However, Honda's approach to electric vehicle driving is not just about speed but about providing a better experience in terms of handling and comfort.

It's not difficult for electric vehicles to be fast, but the challenge is to be more stable on top of being fast. Electric vehicles have a very strong start, which is why many passengers feel dizzy when riding in them. To prevent motion sickness for users, the e:NP2 has been finely tuned for its acceleration and braking systems, making them smoother and effectively reducing discomfort.Its power experience is lively and smooth, matched with Honda's electric motor control program algorithm for over 20,000 different driving scenarios, intelligently allocating power output in actual scenarios, ensuring no noticeable jerkiness during acceleration. Coupled with four driving modes: standard, energy-saving, sport, and snow, it caters to various driving preferences. Moreover, in sport mode, the Honda EV Sound system is equipped, allowing you to still experience the thrill of driving a Honda electric vehicle.

Drawing on Honda's years of accumulated experience in fine-tuning sports performance, the e:NP2 offers a sophisticated chassis tuning, achieving a driving feel where the car moves as you wish. This decades-long accumulation of driving tuning experience is something many new forces and internet-famous cars lack. The evolved Honda SENSING intelligent driving assistance is mature and user-friendly, including features like RDM lane departure suppression, LKAS lane keeping assist system, ACC active cruise control, and automatic high beam, reaching Level 2 driving assistance. This alleviates driving fatigue, and even if you love driving, you'll easily appreciate this system.

The three aspects of peace of mind, smart electric, and driving feel are the biggest highlights of the e:NP2. If you are passionate about driving and want a vehicle that is worry-free and reliable, this model is quite suitable.

Configuration rivals Chinese cars

However, some people say that when buying a car, they also look at the number of configurations, and it seems that the configurations of joint venture cars are not as rich as those of domestic brands. But in this e:NP2, Honda's sincerity is evident. See what new configurations it comes with: a 6-speaker BOSE surround sound system is included, and it can be upgraded to 12 speakers. Can you find this in other joint venture SUVs under 160,000 yuan?

There is also an 11.5-inch HUD and facial recognition, which are rare in Honda's lineup. As for other practical features, there is a 220V external power output, and the rear seats can be folded down completely to turn the car into a large bed. In terms of configuration, this Honda is not afraid to compete with Chinese-made cars.

In summary,Overall, the e:NP2 has both heritage and innovation. In it, we see the sports, safety, and quality DNA that Honda has embedded in its brand, as well as the intelligent technology and stylish configurations that embrace the new era, with many "first-time installations". Currently, there are many choices for pure electric SUVs in the 150,000 yuan segment, but the e:NP2 has its own advantages and focuses. As the "smart mobility fun, driving fun is endless" philosophy advocated by GAC Honda's new energy camp suggests, it pays more attention to the driving experience. Coupled with the quality assurance of the Honda brand, this new model is well worth considering.