Good Things Come in Small Boxes

Loading...

Photo 1 of 20

The photos might make this Honda N-WGN look like a fairly normal sized hatchback. But it’s anything but. You see the N-WGN is a Kei car - a Japanese class of car that must fit a tight set of dimensions – which makes a Suzuki Swift seem like a Hummer in comparison. These cars are very rare on our roads but are hugely popular in Japan. In fact the N-WGN’s sibling, the N-Box, is the best selling car in Japan. It’s tiny, cheap to run and can fit 4 passengers in comfort. So why don’t they sell in NZ? Is it because it’s not a Ute or an SUV? Read on...

To be fair, the main reason Kei cars are so popular in Japan is financial. Cheap to buy whilst being taxed and insured at a lower rate than normal cars due to their Kei car designation, something not afforded to Kiwi buyers. But they are also narrow, nimble and frugal, which is perfect for big Japanese cities.

They are also cleverly designed. The Kei car rules give designers very little room to work with, which to a design engineer is a challenge rather than hindrance. The space and comfort that has been extracted from a Honda N-WGN is something to behold. But the other miniature elephant in the room is the engine size restrictions. A Kei car is limited to an engine size of 660cc with a maximum power output of 63hp (that last one is a gentleman's agreement and may be stretched in reality). So you aren’t going anywhere fast in the wee Honda. **this car is listed and registered as 1040cc but this is wrong as they only come in one engine size of 658cc**

Despite our love of big utes and SUVs in NZ, there is a small but fervent following for Kei cars in NZ and I don’t expect this Honda to stick around long before being snapped up.

Be small, be proud. More details here.