Here it is guys, the third generation of the adorable, cheerful, yet practical Honda N-Box is here. Like in the past, it will be available in two variants, namely the “standard” Honda N-Box and the sportier-looking N-Box Custom.
Let’s start with the exterior styling. The N-Box gets a body-coloured grille with a series of small holes, giving it a rather unique look. The standard variant is also equipped with round LED headlights, which match its overall adorable looks, and is said to have been “shaped like a human eye to express simplicity and friendliness”. Honda is also offering a new Fashion Style package, which comes with off-white door mirrors and door handles, alongside body-coloured wheel caps.
The N-Box custom, on the other hand, is fitted with a “3D” black grille which features sportier texture inserts, and chrome finishings, alongside a sportier bumper design. The LED headlights within the square housing are shaped horizontally and also come with eyebrow-style daytime running lights (DRLs). Round the back are the clear-lens LED rear lights, which feature the same graphics as the regular N-Box.
The Honda N-Box Custom is offered with the optional Coordination Style package. This includes design bits such as a dark chrome-plated front grille and rear licence garnish, black aluminium wheels, as well as an optional two-tone exterior paint job which comes with a black roof.
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Moving inside, the new N-Box is as spacious and practical as before and is claimed to have the largest interior space in its class, thanks to the brand’s machine minimum, man maximum ethos. It also comes with a redesigned interior.
The dual-layer dashboard present in the previous gen is still here, but unlike its predecessor’s three-spoke steering wheel, it now comes with a newly designed two-spoke one. Gone is also the high-mounted analogue instrument cluster, replaced with a fully digital one that is placed just behind the steering wheel for better visibility.
The floating centre screen now measures nine inches and looks more discreet. It also runs on the Honda Connect infotainment system.
Just like before, the air-cond vents on the right are rounded. The left ones are also rectangular but are now located at a lower position, and feature a simpler design, that gives out an old-school vibe. The dash-mounted gear lever is here to stay though.
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The interior redesign has allowed for a larger capacity glove box, which is claimed to be able to store twice as many items as its predecessor. Other unique storage spaces available in the car include the slits at the bottom of the rear seat side pockets.
Honda has yet to release any of the Kei MPV’s technical specifications for the moment, but the carmaker has confirmed on its site that the new N-Box will be coming with naturally-aspirated (NA) and turbocharged engines. The adorable-looking family car will be coming with both front- and all-wheel drive options too. Being a kei car, its engine displacements will not be more than 660 cc either.
In the safety department, the third-generation Honda N-Box is equipped with the brand’s Honda Sensing as standard in Japan. There is also an electronic parking brake (EPB) with auto brake hold and sliding doors with manual sunshades.
The new Honda N-Box is expected to launch around Q4 this year. Pre-orders for the kei MPV will be accepted in Japan starting this August.
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