Are you in the market for a compact and economical run-around? Perhaps you’re considering a used Toyota Prius or Hyundai Kona EV? Before you sign the dotted line take a moment to consider one of these little tikes.
This is a Honda N-One. A 2022 ‘RS’ example, to be precise. It conforms to what is known as the ‘kei car’ category in Japan. Kei car is an abbreviation of kei-jidōsha, which means light automobile. To be considered a kei car, engine size is limited to 660cc, and the vehicle length is limited to 3.4m.
What’s the point of such a small car? Well, if a vehicle passes kei car credentials it is exempt from certain taxes and is cheaper to insure, it brings access to restrictive car parking spaces in some areas, and it is exempt from the ‘shako shōmeisho’ garage certificate in some areas, which is a requirement to register a car at all.
In other words, kei cars are generally a cheaper, more fuel efficient and practical way to zip around Japan. Although not officially sold in Australia, you can purchase one, almost new, through a car importer such as Go-Garage. They can order you one just like this example we’re testing here.
2022 Honda N-One RS: Specifications
Engine: 0.6-litre turbo three-cylinder
Output: 47kW@6000rpm / 104Nm@2600rpm
Gearbox: CVT auto
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 15in, 165/55
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 860kg (approx.)
Power-to-weight: 18.29:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 5.2-5.3L/100km
Our consumption: 6.2L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 30L/95 RONPower efficiency: 9.0kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 4.98 seconds*
0-100km/h: 12.25 seconds*
60-110km/h: 10.39 seconds*
1/4 mile: 18.45 seconds at 118.8km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.562g*
100-0km/h braking: 42.83m in 3.22 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.067g*
Decibel at idle: 41*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 79*
Starting price: $33,800 (at time of writing)
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2022 Honda N-One RS: How much does it cost?
Prices vary depending on what model you’re after and how rare it is. But most Japanese carmakers offer a kei car of some kind, or multiple. Honda is one of the leaders in this field (the N-One scored ‘Kei Car of the Year’ in Japan in 2021-2022), offering a range of kei cars from mini-minivans, tiny hot hatches and even a rear-wheel drive sports car called the S660.
This example is currently listed at $33,800 at Go-Garage, although, it might be sold by the time you read this. Best to check out their website to browse stock, or give them a call to discuss any particular requests to get one imported across.
Go-Garage provides customers with a three-year national warranty, and for NSW customers, a three-year/45,000km capped-priced servicing plan.
2022 Honda N-One RS: Interior & packaging
This is a small car, obviously. However, Honda is very good at packaging efficiency. The N-One is surprisingly roomy inside. A tallish ceiling really opens the perception of space, and, as long as you aren’t 7-foot tall, seating comfort is actually very good.
I took this example for a long drive, including on the highway, along a winding road, and across broken bitumen in the country, and jumped out feeling as fresh as I was when I got in. If you’re thinking this is like folding yourself up into a letterbox, it’s really not like that at all.
Space between the front seats is limited, but there is enough room for elbows and shoulders – just not much for your belongings. The same can be said for the back seat. It’s fine for two adults, with some space in between and decent legroom. But not much else for bags or extra items.
In that sense, this is perfect for zipping around in the city or suburbs as a second car. There are lots of little storage pockets and stuff around the place if you look, including a handy tray under the steering column, door pockets and some space in the dash – it’s not just a tiny box on wheels. It even has Honda’s innovative ‘magic seats’ in the back that cleverly fold away.
Boot space is rated at around 280L, which actually overshadows the current Toyota Yaris (270L), Mazda2 hatch (250L), and Kia Picanto (255L). There is some storage under the boot floor which is great for keeping smaller items from rolling around.
2022 Honda N-One RS: Powertrain & handling
So, the key to any kei car is the engine. It has to be 660cc in capacity, but there are no rules regarding forced induction. The N-One RS is turbocharged and produces a mighty 47kW and 104Nm – up from 43kW in the non-turbo models.
That might not sound like much – it isn’t much – but since the N-One only weighs around 860kg, you don’t need much to get this thing moving. This example is fitted with the CVT automatic transmission but you can opt for a manual for added engagement.
The guys from Go-Garage tell us the automatic is actually the pick because the CVT tends to do a good job of maintaining peak power and torque, while in the manual, they say, you have to keep changing gears to find that sweet spot. That kind of sounds like fun to me but we’ll take their word for it.
Getting up to speed is no issue at all. It zooms up to 60km/h with the urgency and response of a larger and more powerful vehicle. In fact, our 0-60km/h time of 4.98 seconds means it’ll outrun cars such as the Subaru Impreza (5.73s), and keep up with the Mitsubishi Outlander (5.00s) and Mazda3 2.0 (4.93s).
Obviously these are not quick competitors, but this gives you some idea of its traffic-light performance. And it certifies our opinion that it’s not an overly slow vehicle just because it is tiny in proportions. Performance is not sacrificed for the sake of a capacity restriction, in other words.
Comfort and ride quality is respectable, with enough suspension travel to soak up poorly-maintained roads, and road noise and tyre roar is minimal, especially compared with other small cars (albeit bigger than this) on the Aussie market. With such small dimensions, measuring 1.475m wide, it cuts through the air pretty easily.
In terms of the outright performance, on a private road we clocked 0-100km/h in 12.25 seconds and the quarter mile in 18.45 seconds at 118.8km/h. Top-end speed is not this vehicle’s strength. But you probably already knew that given its power and torque output.
Fuel economy is exceptional, though. We averaged 6.2L/100km during our test and that was with just one day of driving, with full performance testing and general zipping around included. The guys at the garage say it’s easy to dip into the 5s with conventional driving.
2022 Honda N-One RS: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Fun: It’s almost like riding on a motorbike; your senses are heightened every time you drive it, and each drive feels like an occasion rather than simply a means of transport.
- Fuel economy: Expect around 5L/100km with regular use in normal conditions.
- Ride and handling: We’re not sure where the tiny wheels go but there seems to be a good range of suspension movement here, soaking up country roads with the compliance and composure of much larger vehicles.
- Unique: None of your neighbours are likely to have anything like this. It’s also a great conversation starter, pretty much anywhere you go.
- Honda innovation: It’s not a family car, obviously, but for a daily commuter it does well; Magic Seats in the back, more boot space than a Mazda2 and lots of little storage spots around the dash.
2022 Honda N-One RS: Key considerations before you buy
- Not exactly cheap: Because these are available through import only, there are some taxes and transport fees involved, which pushes the price up. In some cases, beyond larger ‘official’ cars that are on sale here.
- Dealer network and ongoing ownership anxieties: Because this isn’t purchased through an official Honda dealer, you have to rely on the importer to provide warranty and servicing provisions. Go-Garage has you covered in this case, but be sure to do some research to make sure you’re covered.
