Honda Super-N: The Tiny EV With A Surprisingly Big Personality
Small cars have had a bit of a rough time in the UK over the last few years. Buyers have moved towards bigger SUVs, manufacturers have pulled some of their smallest models from sale, and the humble city car has slowly started to feel like a dying breed.
But Honda might have just given the small car segment a little spark again.
The new Honda Super-N is a compact electric car with Japanese Kei-car inspiration, a playful design, a surprisingly clever interior and a price tag that makes it one of the more interesting small EVs heading to UK roads. It is not trying to be the biggest, fastest or longest-range electric car on sale. Instead, it is trying to prove that a small, lightweight EV can still feel fun, useful and full of character.
And honestly, that might be exactly what the market needs.
A small car with proper character
At first glance, the Honda Super-N looks tiny. That is because, compared with most modern cars, it really is. Honda says the Super-N is around 3.6 metres long, making it ideal for urban driving, tight roads, school runs and city parking.
The car is inspired by Honda’s Japanese N-Series models, which are connected to Japan’s famous Kei-car culture. Kei cars are small, affordable vehicles built around strict size and engine rules, and they make a lot of sense in crowded towns and cities. Modern Kei regulations limit cars to around 3.4 metres long, 1.48 metres wide and 2 metres tall, with petrol engines capped at 660cc.
The Super-N is not technically a full Kei car in the traditional sense, but it carries the same kind of idea. It is compact, light, simple and designed to make everyday driving easier rather than more complicated.
For UK buyers, that could be refreshing. Not everyone needs a huge SUV for the commute, the supermarket run or the daily drive through town. Sometimes, a smaller car just makes more sense.
Electric power, but with a playful twist
The Honda Super-N uses a 29.6kWh battery and offers a WLTP combined range of 128 miles, while Honda also quotes up to 199 miles in city-focused driving. Charging is rated at up to 50kW DC, with a 15 to 80 per cent top-up expected to take around 30 minutes.
On paper, those numbers are not going to scare larger electric cars. However, that is not really the point. This is a small EV designed for shorter journeys, urban use and drivers who want something affordable, easy to live with and efficient.
Where the Super-N gets more interesting is with its Boost mode. Honda says the car has five drive modes, including ECON, City, Normal, Sport and Boost. In Boost mode, power rises from 47kW to 70kW, and the car adds a simulated seven-speed transmission and artificial engine sound to make the driving experience feel more engaging.
That might sound a little bit silly, but in the best possible way. Electric cars are often praised for being quiet and smooth, but they can sometimes feel a bit emotionless. The Super-N seems to be taking a different approach by giving drivers something playful to interact with.
It is not trying to be a hot hatch, but it does seem to want a bit of hot hatch energy.
Small Size, Smart Practicality
One of the biggest worries with tiny cars is practicality. Nobody wants a car that looks cute but becomes annoying the moment you need to carry passengers, shopping or anything bigger than a backpack.
Thankfully, the Super-N appears to be more useful than its size suggests.
Its tall, boxy shape helps free up cabin space, while Honda’s Magic Seats add a clever touch of flexibility. These seats can fold flat or lift up to create more room inside the cabin, making it easier to carry awkward items like plants, bags or smaller bikes. Business Motoring also reports that standard equipment includes Honda Magic Seats, a Bose sound system, Honda SENSING driver assistance and ambient lighting.
That is the kind of practicality small cars need to survive. It is not about having the biggest boot in the world. It is about making the most of the space available.
The front of the cabin keeps things fairly familiar for anyone who has been in a modern Honda. There is a digital driver display, a central infotainment screen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus enough tech to make it feel modern without making everything overly complicated. Honda confirms the Super-N includes wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto compatibility and a 9-inch Honda CONNECT screen.
Designed for city life
The Super-N is clearly not built for long motorway slogs every day. Its official combined range of 128 miles means it will make the most sense for drivers with shorter regular journeys, access to home charging or mainly urban driving patterns.
But for that kind of use, it could be a brilliant fit.
Small EVs can work really well in cities because they are easy to park, cheap to charge and simple to drive. The Super-N’s compact footprint, upright driving position and good visibility should make it feel right at home on busy roads and tight streets.
It also helps that the car is light. Business Motoring reports the Super-N weighs 1,097kg, which is very low by modern EV standards. Less weight usually helps with efficiency, handling and overall driving feel, which could be why early impressions of the car have focused so heavily on how fun and grown-up it feels for something so small.
It is a reminder that electric cars do not always need huge batteries and massive power figures to be enjoyable. Sometimes, keeping things small and simple can be just as effective.
The price is a big part of the appeal
Honda has announced that the Super-N starts from £18,995, with UK orders opening on 22 June 2026. That puts it in a very interesting position, especially at a time when many drivers still feel priced out of the electric car market.
The EV market has grown quickly, but affordability remains one of the biggest barriers for many buyers. A small electric car under £20,000 gives Honda a chance to appeal to drivers who want to make the switch but do not want to spend family SUV money.
Of course, the shorter range means it will not suit everyone. If you regularly travel long distances, need a large boot or spend hours on the motorway, there will be better options. But for town driving, commuting, local business use or a second household car, the Super-N could make a lot of sense.
Is the Honda Super-N a good idea for UK roads?
In many ways, the Honda Super-N feels like the opposite of what the car market has been doing recently. While plenty of new cars are getting bigger, heavier and more expensive, Honda has gone small, light and characterful.
That makes it stand out.
It may not have a huge range, and it is unlikely to become the go-to choice for drivers who cover hundreds of miles each week. But as a compact electric car for everyday driving, it has a lot going for it. It is affordable, distinctive, well equipped and genuinely different from the usual small EV formula.
For drivers who mostly travel locally, it could be a clever alternative to a larger electric car. For businesses, it could also be an interesting option for urban staff travel, short-distance duties or city-based journeys where compact size and low running costs matter more than long-distance range.
Most importantly, it looks like it has a bit of personality. In a market where many cars can start to feel quite similar, that counts for a lot.
Writer’s thoughts - Ben
What I like most about the Honda Super-N is that it feels like Honda has remembered that small cars are allowed to be fun. Not everything needs to be massive, overly serious or packed with unnecessary power to feel exciting.
The Super-N seems to have been built with a proper sense of personality. It is compact, quirky and clearly designed for real everyday driving, especially for people who spend most of their time around towns and cities. The range will not be for everyone, but for shorter journeys, commuting and local driving, it feels like the kind of car that could make a lot of sense.
It also feels refreshing to see a small EV that does not just focus on being sensible. The Boost mode, simulated gearbox and playful design give it something different. It is still practical enough to use, but it also has a bit of charm, which is something the small car market has been missing.
For me, the Super-N is not interesting because it is the biggest or fastest EV. It is interesting because it proves that small electric cars can still have character.
References
Honda UK. (2026). New Honda Super-N: Compact electric city car. Available at Honda UK. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Honda UK. (2026). Honda Super-N features, range and WLTP figures. Available at Honda UK. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Honda UK. (2026). Honda Super-N latest offers and pricing. Available at Honda UK. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Honda News Europe. (2026). Honda Super-N: A new EV icon on sale in the UK from July. Available at Honda News Europe. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Auto Express. (2026). New Honda Super-N 2026 review: little EV is fun and full of character. Available at Auto Express. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Business Motoring. (2026). Honda Super-N EV to start at £18,995, orders open 22nd June. Available at Business Motoring. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Electrive. (2026). Honda Super-N now available to order in the UK. Available at Electrive. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Goodwood Road & Racing. (2026). The best Kei cars. Available at Goodwood. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Top Gear. (2026). Honda Super-N review. Available at Top Gear. Accessed 30 June 2026.
Credits
Images belong to Honda
