Honda N-WGN (Second Generation)

The rising star of the kei car market, the Honda N-WGN, is now on its second-generation and this new model strives to be a better compact car with its simple design, user-friendly interior, eco-friendly performance, and cutting-edge safety features that can be yours in an agreeable 1,274,400 Japanese Yen price tag.

2020 Honda N-WGN

2020 Honda N-WGN

Time to have a little X-file on the new model, shall we? Okay, while the previous N-WGN looks more like a mini-me StepWGN by the looks of it, the new model undergoes a much simpler, conservative design that looks clean, boxy, and simple, although not as better looking as the previous model it replaces. There are two different styles available on the new N-WGN such as the standard N-WGN that reminded us of a Suzuki MR Wagon Wit several years ago and the Custom variant which is like a bedazzled Vamos by the looks of it.

2020 Honda N-WGN interior

2020 Honda N-WGN interior

Whichever N-WGN you choose, you are still be greeted by its new, user-friendly interior that works just like every other kei car should. From a bright and simple tone from the normal N-WGN to a dark and cool tone from the N-WGN Custom, it still fits like a glove for four people, which is perfect for either trips to the city or for TNVS purposes and then there's the dashboard, which works like it should be. From the touch-screen sat-nav to the long air vents that occupy the rest of the compartment like today's Lexus LS, every usable feature and space on the N-WGN is how this kei car made for the simple simpletons on the road.

With the 660cc S07B petrol engine, CVT, and idling stop at bay, the new N-WGN promises a 23.2kmpl of fuel economy based on WLTC Mode standards, which is by the outdated JC08 terms, it's slightly more efficient than the previous model it replaces and being a small car, it's easy to live with it every single day, for going to work or for weekend trips. Not as exciting as you hoped for, especially when the Custom variant has optional paddle shifters for a manual shifting feel, but in the real world, it's surprisingly noticeable.

With the purpose of being a "Safety Support Car S Wide"-rated kei car, the new N-WGN comes with the Honda Sensing suite of safety features such as Adaptive Cruise Control, CMBS, false start suppression, road-sign recognition, and many others, all in the purpose of being a safe kei car full stop.

The new N-WGN may not be as better-looking as its previous model but with its interior, performance, and safety, it sure is well enough for people who want to spend 1,274,400 Japanese Yen on a car that's all about getting the job done without all the bragging that its opposition loves to do.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Honda N-WGN

The Honda N-Series kei cars serves as the next generation of Honda's kei cars, small cars promising good fuel economy for the masses. The N stands for NEW NEXT NIPPON NORIMONO and the N-Series kei cars were spearheaded by the N BOX since 2011, then followed by a more practical N BOX+ and the retro-inspired N-ONE last year. Now, 2013 sees the welcome addition to the ever-expanding Honda N-Series kei cars and say hello to the brand new N-WGN. Honda's answer to the Daihatsu Move and Suzuki Wagon R.

2014 Honda N-WGN

As always with all the Honda N-Series kei cars, "Hello Small World". The newest member of the Honda N-Series kei cars can be somewhat more of a class act to follow but judging by the looks of it, the N WGN is pretty much original and it doesn't make references to any other Honda cars ever made...except for the naming because WGN in the N-WGN name nods an ode to one of Honda's popular MPV for the masses, the StepWGN. For a bit of conspiracy about the N-WGN, some people say that this could serve as the replacement to the aging Life kei car. That's just either a conspiracy or a theory but we'll find out if there's any truth from them.

2014 Honda N-WGN

2014 Honda N-WGN Custom

Like any other kei cars which has a standard model and a custom model for those who have a sense of style, the new Honda N-WGN is available in two different styles; one is the normal N-WGN and the other one is the more stylish N-WGN Custom model, the one with a different headlamp and grille assembly, aggressive front bumper with fog lamp housings, different rear bumper, side skirts, rear spoiler, and some thin-spoked sports rims. Both of these models can be fitted with either a 58PS 660cc twin-cam three-cylinder engine or a turbocharged version which churns out the normal 64PS power output. On normal versions, the 660cc engine, with its CVT and idling stop system, which is part of Honda's Earth Dreams Technology, can get up to 29.2km/L on the JC08 cycle but that's just an estimate and for the drivers, fuel economy can vary so think before you write to them.

But still, 29.2kmpl of fuel economy is about .2kmpl more than the Daihatsu Move but .8kmpl short of the Suzuki Wagon R so therefore, it's in the middle position of the competition. In terms of weight, the new N-WGN weighs about 820kg, about 10 more than the Daihatsu Move and annoyingly, 70kg more than the Wagon R, so therefore it's the heaviest of the three.

2014 Honda N-WGN interior

2014 Honda N-WGN Custom interior

On the inside, the N-WGN tries to be more Honda-ish while keeping it simple in the name of kei-car activism. There's a steering wheel where you steer, there's a gear lever when you shift, there's aircon which has different settings from hot and cold, there's some seats where you can seat, there's a speedo where you can check how fast you're going, and the trademark Honda red engine switch for when you start it up. Simple really, this low-cost kei car tries to be more of a simpleton rather than an uncivilized Brainiac. He he he...

In terms of safety, the N-WGN has a wide array of safety features such as VSA, Hill Start Assist and Emergency Stop Signal (blinks hazard lamps during hard braking). City-Brake Active, side curtain airbag and front seat i-side airbag.

In terms of pricing, the new N-WGN starts at 1,131,000 Japanese Yen (about $11,200), which is about a hundred thousand yen more than the Move and the Wagon R but still, even it's the most expensive of the three, it's still competitively priced so there we are. What I believe that with all that blabbermouth about the new N-WGN, all I can conclude is simple, even though it's pricer than the Daihatsu Move, it's still more fuel efficient than the Daihatsu Move so if you are looking for a kei car for this class, best not to buy the Move, buy this Honda N-WGN. Although I had to warn that it's a hundred grand more expensive than the Move or the Wagon R but still, it's still a class act to follow.

PRICE LIST:

660 G - 1,131,000 Yen

660 G A Package - 1,250,000 Yen

660 G Turbo Package - 1,350,000 Yen

660 Custom G - 1,335,000 Yen

660 Custom G A Package - 1,450,000 Yen

660 Custom G Turbo Package - 1,510,000 Yen

660 G 4WD - 1,251,000 Yen

660 G A Package 4WD - 1,370,000 Yen

660 G Turbo Package 4WD - 1,470,000 Yen

660 Custom G 4WD - 1,455,000 Yen

660 Custom G A Package 4WD - 1,570,000 Yen

660 Custom G Turbo Package 4WD - 1,630,000 Yen

Available colors:

Premium White Pearl, Smart Black, Cutlery Silver Metallic, Polished Metal Metallic, Premium Flame Orange Metallic, Premium Deep Mocha Pearl, Cookie Cream, Horizon Turquoise Pearl, Premium Blue Moon Pearl, Premium Gold Purple Pearl.

Photo: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.