The electric vehicle revolution is taking unexpected turns, and Honda has just thrown a delightful curveball with the Super One – an electric kei car that’s redefining what small EVs can be. Expected to launch in December 2026 with an estimated price of Rs 20 lakh, the Honda Super One represents something genuinely unique in the automotive landscape. It’s not just transportation; it’s a statement, a lifestyle choice, and potentially Honda’s boldest move to reignite enthusiasm for the brand.
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Understanding the Kei Car Revolution
It’s not the size, it’s how you use it. And Honda seems to have nailed that adage with the Super One. The Super One is an electric kei car; the quintessentially Japanese category for vehicles that don’t exceed 3.4 metres in length, 1.5 metres in width, and 2.0 metres in height.
Kei cars, whether hatchbacks, vans, or micro-SUVs, are typically powered by sub-65bhp, 660cc three-cylinder engines. They’re efficient and city-friendly, but seldom exciting to drive. Honda, however, has changed that narrative with the Super One, creating something that prioritizes fun over mere functionality.
The Evolution from N One e
The Super One builds upon the electric N One e. The two share the same wheelbase, front-wheel-drive layout, and much of their bodywork. But while the N One e is designed to be affordable and, well, a bit boring, the Super One is anything but.
The transformation starts with fundamental engineering improvements. It starts with wider tyres and a broader track to accommodate them. Honda’s engineers have also reworked the lower arm and steering knuckle to optimise the scrub radius, making the steering lighter and improving stability under braking. The body is wider and stiffer, suspension beefier, and the steering rack quicker. The Super One also packs a more performance-oriented powertrain.
Power and Performance Expectations
Honda hasn’t disclosed specifics about the battery or motor outputs yet. For reference, the N One e uses a 29.6kWh battery paired with a 63bhp motor producing 160Nm of torque, good for a claimed 295km of range. The Super One’s motor is clearly more potent, delivering genuine performance that separates it from typical city EVs.
The compact dimensions don’t allow for massive battery expansion. Like the N One e, it continues to use a thin, lightweight battery mounted low and central for optimum dynamics. This positioning ensures the Super One maintains the low center of gravity essential for its sporting character.
Real-World Performance Excellence
Testing at Honda’s R&D facility in Tochigi, Japan revealed the Super One’s true character on a tight, technical circuit comprising a flowing main straight, fast left-hander, quick left-right S-bend, and an uphill hairpin, followed by a sequence of off-camber corners and a long sweeping left.
The Super One was brilliant throughout. It launches with typical EV enthusiasm, but unlike most small electrics that run out of breath after the initial surge, this one keeps pulling. The continuous power delivery transforms the driving experience, making it feel far more capable than its compact dimensions suggest.
The steering feels crisp, the chassis planted; enough really to make you stay off the brakes longer than instinct suggests. Turn in, and there’s no understeer, no hesitation, just clean, precise response. It follows your intended line faithfully, leaving you convinced you could have gone even faster.
Through the S-bends, it behaves like a slightly stretched go-kart; point-and-shoot accurate, but never nervous. It’s pliant, eager, and communicative, all the things you hope for in a small, light driver’s car. The compact wheelbase and stiff body structure create genuine driver engagement rarely found in modern EVs.
Revolutionary Boost Mode
Press the Boost button, and the Super One’s “want” coefficient skyrockets. Suddenly, it transforms into something that feels like a petrol car. A synthetic, naturally aspirated four-cylinder soundtrack floods the cabin, revving to 6,000rpm and upshifting through simulated gears with a convincing jolt.
Downshifts are accompanied by throttle blips and aural theatrics, and you can take control via steering-mounted paddles. Yes, it’s all fake. But it’s convincingly fake enough to trick your senses just long enough to keep you grinning. There’s tangible shift shock, tactile feedback, and genuine engagement.
If a sporty EV can mimic the visceral feel we miss from combustion cars, this innovation deserves celebration. The Boost mode addresses one of the biggest criticisms of electric vehicles – the lack of emotional connection and driver involvement.
Handling Dynamics That Impress
The powertrain response deserves special mention. Through the off-camber sections, under heavy throttle, the onset of wheelspin is easy to sense and modulate. Unlike many EVs that deliver torque in a detached, digital way, the Super One’s throttle feels organic, almost like a well-tuned ICE car. It rewards finesse.
Hard on the brakes at the tight uphill hairpin, and the feedback is spot on: consistent pedal feel, strong bite, zero drama. The car darts right, then hooks left into the corner with deft precision. It’s fast, composed, and, crucially, fun. The braking performance inspires confidence, allowing aggressive driving without drama.
The Indian Market Challenge
The Super One is tiny. And while it’s immensely entertaining, it’ll cost a fortune once it lands here. As a CBU import, expect pricing north of ₹20 lakh; a hard sell in a market obsessed with size-to-price ratios. The Indian buyer traditionally values space and road presence, making the Super One’s compact dimensions a potential sales hurdle.
However, there’s a growing segment of urban buyers seeking unique, characterful vehicles. The Super One could find its niche among enthusiasts, young professionals in metro cities, and those who prioritize driving enjoyment over practicality.
More Than Just a Car
From Honda’s perspective, the Super One could serve as a brand halo; a statement of intent, a slice of Japanese car culture wrapped in an urban EV form. Imagine Honda leaning into its JDM heritage, using the Super One to tell stories steeped in Tokyo street scenes and underground tuner energy.
It could become more than a car, a lifestyle accessory, a cultural anchor to reignite enthusiasm for the Honda name. Small, yes, but significant. And there’s nothing quite like it in the Indian market. The Super One represents Honda’s willingness to take risks and create vehicles that prioritize emotion over spreadsheet logic.
Launch Timeline and Expectations
The Honda Super One is expected to launch in December 2026, giving Honda ample time to assess market readiness and build anticipation. The extended timeline suggests Honda is carefully considering localization possibilities and pricing strategies to make the Super One more accessible.
The estimated price of Rs 20 lakh positions it in premium territory, competing not with mainstream EVs but with lifestyle vehicles and enthusiast choices. This pricing reflects its CBU import status and specialized nature.
The Final Verdict
The Honda Super One represents everything exciting about the electric vehicle future – innovation, performance, character, and genuine driving enjoyment. It proves that small EVs don’t need to be boring, sterile transportation appliances. With proper engineering, even a tiny kei car can deliver thrills that rival much larger, more expensive sports cars.
For Indian buyers, the Super One offers something genuinely unique. It’s not for everyone, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s for those who understand that great driving experiences come in all sizes, who appreciate Japanese automotive culture, and who want an EV that feels alive rather than merely efficient.
When the Honda Super One arrives in December 2026, it won’t dominate sales charts. But it will turn heads, spark conversations, and remind everyone that Honda still knows how to build driver’s cars – even electric ones that fit in your pocket. Sometimes, it really isn’t about the size; it’s about how you use it. And Honda has used every millimeter of the Super One brilliantly.
