Honda’s New Electric Hot Hatch Is Another Car Americans Can’t Have

Tiny EV Hot Hatch

Honda looks set to add another name to the list of cars Americans can only admire from a distance. The new Super-One is a compact, kei-inspired electric hatchback built to make daily driving more fun, mixing retro cues with current EV tech.

Honda first showed the Super-One as a prototype at the 2025 Japan Mobility Show, describing it as a small EV with a focus on making everyday drives more engaging. Production was originally set for 2026, but with launch prep already underway in Japan and other markets, it looks like the car will arrive ahead of schedule.

Honda

The Honda City Turbo II Reboot

Almost unchanged from its prototype form, the Super-One uses Honda’s N-Series platform but goes beyond the usual kei-car formula. It sits wider, with bigger tires and a more planted look, pushing it closer to a mini hot hatch than a standard city EV. The styling calls back to the City Turbo II, with clear hints of Honda’s 1980s performance DNA.

5 Japanese Kei Cars That Could Thrive in the U.S. Market

According to Honda’s designers, the Super-One’s performance features were built straight into the bodywork. The EV hot hatch uses real ducts at the front and rear to cut drag and manage airflow. Relief vents at the back help reduce turbulence, improving cooling and stability instead of just adding visual flair. There’s also a model-exclusive paint color called Boost Violet Pearl, which is inspired by the “Blue Jet” lightning.

Inside, the Super-One aims to keep drivers engaged. Sports seats, a 7-inch digital cluster, active sound control, and a new BOOST mode work together to deliver some of the feel of classic performance driving on an electric platform.

Honda

Not Your Typical Honda Kei Car

Honda hasn’t released full specs yet, but early info points to the Super-One breaking past typical kei car limits in both size and power. Output is rumored to be around 95 horsepower, well above the 63-hp cap for kei cars in Japan.

BOOST mode bumps up performance for short bursts, syncing simulated engine sounds and a virtual multi-speed transmission to give drivers a more familiar, performance-focused feel even with an electric setup.

As for pricing, reports from Japan put the Super-One at about ¥5 million, or $32,000. That’s higher than most would expect for a car this size, but once it steps outside kei car rules, extra taxes and hardware drive the price up.

That price likely puts the Super-One in niche territory, aimed more at enthusiasts than the average city car buyer. In Japan or Europe, it could still find a following as a fun, urban performance car. For American fans, it’s shaping up to be another small Honda that looks right for US streets but remains out of reach.

Honda

About the author

Jacob Oliva

Senior Editor, Autoblog

Jacob Oliva has been an automotive journalist for more than a decade, covering industry news, price analysis, aftermarket modifications, and in-depth reviews of new vehicles. He’s the current managing editor of Autocar Philippines, where he also manages and produces video content. Jacob’s work has also appeared in outlets including AutoDeal, Motor1, Philkotse, Philstar Wheels, and CarBuzz, and he has covered major motor shows across Asia. He lives in Manila and is a recipient of the Henry Ford Awards for auto journalism.