Forget the wild rumours of a new hybrid supercar for a moment. Honda New Zealand has just dropped a bombshell that’s arguably even more exciting for fans of the brand’s golden era. Confirmed for a local launch in the second half of 2026, the Honda Super-ONE is not a supercar – it’s a compact, fun-focused, all-electric city car, and it looks poised to capture the spirit of Honda’s legendary pocket rockets.
In an official announcement, Honda confirmed the Super-ONE is headed for our shores, developed directly from the exciting Honda Super EV Concept that was unveiled at Goodwood in 2025. This isn’t just another appliance EV; Honda is explicitly targeting “fun, agility, and effortless urban mobility,” marrying their signature fun-to-drive philosophy with next-generation electric tech. For anyone who mourned New Zealand missing out on the achingly cool Honda e, this news feels like justice. We’re finally getting our fun-sized, retro-inspired Honda EV.
Small Car, Big Personality
So, what exactly is the Super-ONE? According to Honda, it’s a purpose-built urban warrior. Measuring under 3.6 metres long and 1.6 metres wide, it’s engineered specifically for the tight streets and cramped parking spaces of cities like Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. This compact footprint immediately brings to mind classics like the original Civic and the legendary Honda City – cars that proved small packages could deliver huge fun and surprising practicality.
Carolyn McMahon, Honda New Zealand’s Managing Director, highlighted its perfect fit for our lifestyle. “The Honda Super-ONE is an exciting addition to our line-up and perfectly suited to New Zealand’s urban lifestyle,” she said. “It embodies Honda’s philosophy of creating mobility that’s not just practical but genuinely enjoyable, an agile, quiet, and confidence-inspiring EV that makes every drive around town a pleasure.”
The promise of a “surprisingly spacious and refined interior” despite its small size is classic Honda. The brand’s ‘Man Maximum, Machine Minimum’ design philosophy has always prioritised interior space, and we expect the Super-ONE to be a masterclass in clever packaging.
While Honda is looking to the future, it’s impossible not to see the past in the Super-ONE’s DNA. The focus on a lightweight structure, direct handling, and a spirited, playful character screams spiritual successor to the iconic Honda City Turbo II, affectionately known as the “Bulldog”. That car was a giant-killer in its day, a feisty hatchback that was more fun than cars costing twice as much. The Super-ONE aims to recapture that magic for the electric age.
Its quiet electric powertrain and instant torque are perfectly suited for zipping through traffic, promising a go-kart-like responsiveness that has been missing from the market. Honda notes that the car’s development included extensive testing across Japan’s bustling cities, ensuring its ride comfort and handling are honed for the very environment it’s designed to conquer.
Part of a Broader Electric Vision
The Super-ONE isn’t arriving in a vacuum. It’s a key part of Honda’s accelerated electrification strategy for New Zealand. Its 2026 launch will follow the highly anticipated return of the Prelude coupe and updated e:HEV hybrid versions of the popular CR-V and ZR-V.
The car was officially unveiled globally at the Japan Mobility Show 2025, sharing the stage with the stunning Honda 0 Series Saloon and SUV concepts. This context is crucial – it shows the Super-ONE isn’t just a niche city car, but a core component of a comprehensive, top-to-bottom EV strategy. Honda is getting serious about electric, from premium saloons to this playful city runabout.
“As we prepare for the next phase of electrification in New Zealand, the Super-ONE represents how Honda continues to combine intelligent design, advanced technology, and the joy of driving,” McMahon added.
While pricing and final specs are still a long way off, the confirmation is enough to get us excited. The Honda Super-ONE is a bold statement – a return to the small, characterful, and brilliantly engineered cars that made us fall in love with Honda in the first place. The second half of 2026 can’t come soon enough.
