Honda Super-N: Is This Tiny, Affordable EV Worth its £19,000 Price Tag?
Honda aims to capture the growing small EV market with its retro-inspired Super-N, a budget-friendly car designed for urban driving.
Honda has entered the burgeoning segment of retro-styled, compact electric vehicles with the launch of its Super-N in Britain. The tiny EV is positioned to compete with upcoming models like the Renault 5 EV and Hyundai Inster, aiming to make electric urban driving accessible, stylish, and engaging.
Inspired by Japan's 'kei cars'—the smallest road-legal vehicles sold domestically—the Super-N is designed to offer Honda's signature driving fun in a petite package. Priced at £18,995, it seeks to differentiate itself in a market increasingly populated by small EVs with distinct personalities.
A Second Attempt at a Retro EV
This launch marks Honda's second foray into retro-inspired EVs, following the discontinuation of the Honda-e earlier this year. While the Honda-e was praised for its futuristic design and high-tech interior, it struggled with sales, failing to meet Honda's volume targets. The Super-N, while sharing some aesthetic similarities with its predecessor, has been significantly revised to improve its market prospects.
Key to the Super-N's potential success is its substantially lower price point, over £13,000 less than the £32,000 Honda-e. Furthermore, its arrival coincides with a rising demand for electric vehicles. EV sales in the UK saw a 25.6 percent year-to-date increase by May, and the market is experiencing a surge in small, retro-themed EVs.
Honda has set an ambitious sales target of 3,000 units for the Super-N in its first year in the UK, a significant increase compared to the 4,000 units the Honda-e achieved annually across all of Europe.
Design and Appeal
The Super-N's diminutive size is a primary draw, measuring 3,599mm long, 1,573mm wide, and 1,608mm tall, making it one of the smallest cars on the market. Its cube-like silhouette, flared stance, contrasting accents, chin spoiler, and air ducts contribute to a playful, sporty, and distinctive appearance that has garnered positive reactions.
Internally, the retro theme continues with a 7-inch digital instrument panel and a central 9-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring physical buttons. The interior incorporates ambient lighting, a multi-button steering wheel, and multi-tone seats, enhanced by sustainable materials like bio-based resin and recycled PET fabrics, including repurposed Honda work uniforms.
Driving Dynamics and Practicality
The Super-N is designed to be more than just a city car; it offers a surprisingly engaging driving experience. A key feature is the 'Boost' mode, which increases power from 47kW to 70kW and reduces the 0-62 mph acceleration time from 14.5 seconds to 10 seconds. This mode is complemented by a seven-speed virtual gear shifter and active sound control that simulates engine noise, aiming to create a more visceral driving sensation.
Despite its small size, the Super-N boasts practical interior space, adhering to Honda's 'man maximum, machine minimum' philosophy. It can accommodate four people, with ample legroom for taller adults. The rear seats feature Honda's 'magic seat' configuration, allowing them to fold flat for increased luggage capacity or tip up to accommodate taller items. The boot space is 162 litres with the seats up, expanding to 967 litres with the seats folded down.
The vehicle offers a combined range of 128 miles, with an estimated city range of 199 miles. Charging to 80 percent takes 30 minutes at a 50kW charging speed.
Pricing and Availability
The Honda Super-N is available for £18,995. Honda is also offering attractive finance options, including a deal starting at £199 per month with a £549 deposit contribution and a 2.9 percent APR representative. An 8-year service-activated warranty is also included.
Standard features include heated front seats and steering wheel, a Bose 7+1 speaker system, Smart entry, the MyHonda+ app, Boost Mode, and ambient lighting. Optional accessory packs, the Style Pack and Black Emblem Pack, are available for customization.
Orders for the Super-N opened on June 22, with the first deliveries scheduled for August. Honda appears optimistic that the Super-N will succeed where the Honda-e faltered, offering a blend of affordability, style, and driving enjoyment for the urban EV market.