Honda Super-ONE Lands in Australia: Cute EV, Real Price

Imagine a pint-sized EV threading through tight laneways, its boxy silhouette and cheeky face turning heads at every intersection. That’s the Super-ONE in a snapshot: small, playful and unapologetically retro—built for places where parking is scarce and personalities matter.

Tiny car, big personality

Honda has opened pre-orders for the Super-ONE in Australia and confirmed on-the-road pricing that positions this electric newcomer above the brand’s bargain HR-V. It’s not a kei car relic for collectors; it’s a purpose-built urban tool with character. Think 1980s City Turbo II vibes remixed for the EV age: enlarged wheel arches, a little roof spoiler, black wheels and, yes, that bulldog stance.

At just 3.5 metres long and weighing roughly 1,093 kilograms, the Super-ONE slips through narrow streets with ease. Under the floor sits a 29.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, good for up to 253 km (157 miles) on a single charge. Fast charging is supported too: 15 to 80% in about 30 minutes on a DC fast charger, which makes short city hops and weekend errands feel practical rather than precarious.

Performance is deliberately cheeky. A standard 47 kW output can be boosted to 70 kW and 162 Nm for short bursts—about 94 horsepower and 119 lb-ft—thanks to a Boost Mode that livens up acceleration when you need it. Honda also adds a simulated seven-speed transmission and an Active Sound Control system that plays an engine-like soundtrack through the cabin to give you a little fake-gravel drama when shifting pace.

Practicality comes with a sense of fun. The Super-ONE inherits Honda’s Magic Seats, a flexible layout that lets you fold or flip seats to prioritize cargo or passengers depending on the day’s needs. Two trims are offered, the top one arriving in a two-tone Violet Boost with a blackout roof—the kind of limited-edition detail that bites into the monotony of commuter life.

Starting price sits around €21,000, putting the Super-ONE above Honda’s HR-V value proposition but still within reach for buyers prioritizing style and urban agility.

Why does any of this matter beyond cute looks? Cities are changing. Drivers want small footprints and instant usability without surrendering personality. The Super-ONE answers that brief—compact enough for tight parking, electric enough for clean inner-city running, and styled enough to spark joy.

Honda is clearly playing a long game with regional rollouts. The company has refreshed its model mix globally—new Ridgeline plans for North America and an updated Accord in Japan—but the Super-ONE shows attention to markets that favor right-hand drive and dense urban environments, like Australia and the United Kingdom.

Will it sell in volume? That depends on how buyers balance price against practicality. For someone who lives and works in the city, prioritizes character over outright performance, and values low running costs, the Super-ONE is a compelling package. For families needing range or highway pace, it’s a niche proposition.

Either way, Honda’s little EV is a reminder that the electrification era invites design playfulness as much as technical progress. Sometimes the best innovation isn’t just cleaner energy; it’s a smile on the commute.