Honda N-One RS review: this pocket-sized petrol hatch works well in Japan, but could it make sense in the UK?

On sale tbc Price from £11,000 (est)

You may have noticed digital cameras coming back as part of a trend recently - albeit in a much smaller form that can be attached as a keychain. They’re affordable, stylish and pretty basic, with the idea of taking a low-res shot to make everything look nostalgic proving to be a hit. Similarly, we’ve seen a wave of tiny new electric cars that combine funky retro looks with the premise of low running costs and a relatively affordable price tag.

The Honda Super N is a great example of one, but did you know the brand also sells a petrol-powered version in Japan? It’s called the N-One, and it’s a little bit shorter and narrower than the Super N; at 3395mm, this dinky little hatch is even smaller than the Hyundai i10 (3670mm) and Leapmotor T03 (3620mm).

Whether it could make its way over to our shores is to be confirmed, but we spent some time with one to find out if we’re missing out on this adorable, affordable hatchback, or, like those cameras, whether it’s more of a novelty. 

What’s the Honda N-One like to drive?

The car we’re driving here is the RS model. It’s the sportiest version in the range and comes with a three-cylinder petrol engine bolstered by a turbocharger. On paper, it may only produce 5bhp more than the naturally-aspirated unit fitted to entry-level models, but it’s bestowed by a healthier amount of low-end shove that makes it flexible and eager to get off the line.

Even so, the RS is most comfortable when driven at low speeds, confidently nipping around the town and city streets it was designed for. Getting up to motorway speeds requires more patience, because the short gearing means you’ll achieve a lower speed than you would in other petrol cars before shifting up each time.

As a result, you have to work the engine hard and be prepared to work the six-speed gearbox, but when the shift quality is so joyfully sweet, it’s a genuine pleasure. There’s a precise, mechanical feeling to it as you pop it into gear and it doesn’t feel notchy like it can even in some BMWs. Meanwhile, the gearlever on the dash is reminiscent of Honda’s Civic Type R from 2001-2006, but the N-One’s is within even closer reach to the steering wheel.

Once you get up to speed the N-One will happily sit at a motorway cruise. You’d perhaps expect a small car like this to have as much sound deadening as a biscuit tin, but wind and road noise is moderately low. However, the short gearing we mentioned earlier also ends up being the biggest compromise here, with the engine spinning fast enough for you to think you're in a performance Type R variant.

Ultimately, a Hyundai i10 feels a bit more relaxed at high speeds, being a bit quieter and with a calmer ride. While the N-One’s ride is well controlled most of the time, it can sometimes become a bit choppy as it trips up a bit over large bumps and abrupt ridges.

Equally, when it comes to handling, the i10’s slightly bigger dimensions helps it feel more surefooted and there’s more outright grip down a country road. At least the N-One RS provides a good sense of grip most of the time to help you confidently build up to its limits, which isn’t something you can say with a cheap EV like a Dacia Spring. While the steering response isn’t particularly quick, it is well weighted to help you place it accurately on the road; most city cars favour a much lighter setup to favour low-speed manoeuvres.

What’s the Honda N-One like inside?

The N-One's dashboard is largely the same as the Honda Super N’s; the air vents are positioned in a different place (with circular ones for the driver) and you get a 9.0in touchscreen and climate control panel that’s slightly different in design. For the RS, there’s some red highlights and carbon trim finishers on the dash, along with suede upholstery on the seats and on the door. Otherwise, and again like in the Super N, it is built using hard plastics.

Ergonomically, it’s very intuitive, with physical buttons for all the functions you’d frequently use. However, the biggest compromise is found with the driving position, because the steering column adjusts for height only. This means that longer-legged drivers will have to sit closer to the wheel with their knees bunched up.

Leg room is generally good all-round, although a hump at the end of the front passenger’s footwell means it’s actually narrower than it looks. Meanwhile, head room is good up front and adequate in the rear, with just the back of your head resting on the ceiling if you’re nearing six-feet tall. Perhaps the biggest limitation is the car's width; with the seats positioned right up against the doors, occupants can feel a bit hemmed in.

The load area in the boot is similarly short, but there's room to stand up a couple of medium-sized suitcases. In terms of versatility, the N-One has the same flexible rear Magic seats as the Super N, which you can read about in our full review.

In terms of kit, the RS gets 15in white alloy wheels, a honeycomb patterned front grille, RS badges and a rear spoiler. Standard kit includes auto lights (but no auto wipers), heated front seats, climate control, all-round electric windows, adaptive cruise control, keyless entry and a 7.0in digital drivers display.

2026 Honda N-One verdict

In some ways, the N-One RS feels like a miniature version of Hyundai’s i10 N-Line and that’s a good thing. This small car combines affordable running costs with nippy performance and a slick manual gearbox to bring a smile to all those short journeys. 

We can see why the N-One is so popular, but if you need a small car just to take care of all those short trips, the Super-N’s electric motor and automatic gearbox is arguably even more effortless to drive, plus, it will cost even less to charge up in the UK. 

The N-One isn’t as well-rounded as the smallest petrol cars, but if it came to the UK it would be more affordable to buy than most. If you don’t have the ability to charge up at home, the N-One RS would be a great addition to supplement your primary car and be cheap to run - we saw an indicated 49mpg during our time of testing on a mix of roads.

What Car? Says: Three stars

Honda N-One RS

Price £11,000 (est) Engine 3cyl, 658cc, turbocharged petrol Power 63bhp @ 6000rpm Torque 77lb ft @ 2600rpm Gearbox 6-spd manual, FWD

0-62mph 12sec (est) Top speed N/A Fuel economy: 61mpg (official) CO2 output 108g/km

Read more: Best small cars 2026

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