Tiny electric Honda Super-N is bringing hot-hatch fun back to the streets

Honda clearly thinks we all need to lighten up. While most car companies are busy building giant electric SUVs, Honda is going the other way. The company is bringing a tiny, boxy car to the United Kingdom and Europe this July. It is called the Honda Super-N, and it looks like a toy that escaped from a 1980s cartoon.

The Honda Super-N is the wild version of the Japanese Honda N-One and finds its roots in the world of Japanese "Kei cars." These are ultra-small vehicles designed to zip through tight city streets. Honda did more than just import a small commuter - it gave the Super-N a heavy dose of nostalgia. Its design takes inspiration from the famous Honda City Turbo II from decades ago. The car has chunky wheel arches, aggressive-looking bumpers, and a face that looks like it wants to pick a fight with a much larger vehicle. It measures only 11.78 ft long, making it easy to park in even the tightest spots.

Aside from its cute looks, one of the most interesting things about the Honda Super-N is its price. Honda plans to sell it for under $27,000 in the UK. In a world where many new EVs cost twice that much, a sub-$27,000 price tag is a big deal. Of course, you are not getting a long-range monster for that money, but you are getting a specialized city tool that focuses on personality rather than raw speed.

Talking about that speed - the tiny Honda is powered by a single electric motor sitting over the front axle. In its standard setting, the car delivers 63 horsepower, but if you press the button, you enter "Boost Mode." This bumps the power up to 94 horsepower. That might sound small compared to today's SUVs, but this is one of the lightest electric cars on the market, and those 94 horses feel much peppier than you might expect.

Honda is also using some clever tricks to make the driving experience feel like an old-school gas car. When you are in Boost Mode, the Honda Super-N uses software to pretend it has a seven-speed manual gearbox. It even makes fake engine noises that play through the speakers. This is very similar to what Hyundai did with the much more expensive Ioniq 5 N. Honda wants to convince people who love old gas-powered hatchbacks that EVs can still be engaging and noisy in a fun way.

2026 Honda Super-N promises a lot of driving fun - source: Honda

The range of the Honda Super-N is clearly meant for city life. If you spend all your time driving slowly around town, Honda says the car can go up to 199 miles on a single charge. If you decide to mix in some highway driving, that number drops to 128 miles. This car is definitely not a "motorway muncher." It is designed for people who drive to work, go to the grocery store, and occasionally take a spirited drive on a fun B-road. It is a tool for the urban jungle, not a cross-country cruiser.

Inside, the cabin is just as playful as the outside. The seats are designed to hold you in place during sharp turns, and the interior is decorated with blue accents. When you activate that Boost Mode, the ambient lighting inside the car switches from blue to purple. It is a small detail, but it adds to the feeling that the car is changing its personality. Honda also says it tuned the suspension specifically for the bumpy roads found in the UK and Europe, making it stiffer and more responsive than the standard Japanese version.

The Honda Super-N will face some tough competition when it arrives this summer. Renault is also launching a new, stylish Twingo that will compete for the same budget-conscious buyers. Both of these electric cars are aiming for the sub-$27,000 sweet spot. Many people have complained that EVs are too expensive and too heavy, and Honda is finally offering an alternative that is light, affordable, and, honestly, a bit ridiculous. It is a brave move that shows Honda still knows how to have a little bit of fun. Let's hope buyers appreciate that sense of humor.

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