Nissan Sakura Review: Why This £13,000 Car Is Selling Like Crazy

[@liamrochford3649]

If Nissan sold this in Europe it might turn things around for them. Cool little car.

[@Readyplayerf1]

@@liamrochford3649 if selling in Europe, the car will be more than 13000 as tax will come into it

[@Readyplayerf1]

If it were to be sold in Europe, the price of the car will be higher due to taxes etc

[@liamrochford3649]

@Readyplayerf1 I know but it would be under €20k and be competing with the Dacia spring and the new Kia.

[@tonyireland2234]

But they dont.

[@Mat-t2s8e]

Nissan is heavily dependent on North American sales. They need to please Americans and Canadians and not Europeans to turn things around

[@SirFlukealot]

The UK should for sure have the same tax breaks for this class of car as Japan does. There are too many massive SUVs in cities, encouraging smaller vehicles is a great idea, and as Japan already makes these with right hand drive, the stock is available for the manufacturers to sell.

[@CephDigital]

Agreed. With how small some UK roads can be, a kei car makes so much sense.

[@TheWave251]

This would never meet euro safety standards. Never forget that in a 軽自動車 you are the crumple zone.

[@MrLense]

I'm surprised Kei cars are not more ubiquitous in the UK. Considering how little 1L hatchbacks and other A segment cars serve the mass market in Europe. People just want transport.

[@LarryNgetich]

Safety. They wouldn't pass regulations

[@xWood4000]

​​@@LarryNgetich Yeah some of them, but the Skoda e-up got a decent euro ncap rating and it's basically the kei car size

[@deanchur]

@@LarryNgetich Let people decide; I don't want lane keep assist and all that other crap that tries to take over the car while I'm driving.

[@exempli646]

I think it's mostly to do with your knees being the crumple zone and not all ADAS things​@@deanchur

[@Tsinglung17]

Their tall centre of gravity could be a tough sell. Most driver in the UK would want their car to at least not be thrown around on Motorways. Kei cars might be aright for Japan where the motorways have a speed limit of 80km/h (Whether or not it is followed is another question) whereas in the UK it is 70miles/h. Kei cars would not feel safe (and probably not safe) on UK motorways

[@elom7699]

“Sometimes less is more…” PRECISELY

[@XxXnonameAsDXxX]

We need this in Europe

[@HyperVanilo]

Renault Zoe isn't enough for you? It's almost the same size as Sakura

[@Dqtube]

@@HyperVanilo The Zoe is a lot bigger, being almost 70cm longer than this model, and it has also been discontinued in most markets with a replacement in the form of the 5 E-tech.

[@shibe32]

@@HyperVanilo we have one in my family, great car to drive and they are quite cheap used, but you have to buy the 41kwh version if you want to go anywhere.

[@harderos3]

As an owner of a Kei car I have only one thing to say: A curse on the EU and carmakers for not allowing their import anymore!

[@AliasHSW]

Need in USA too

[@saeedhossain6099]

in the US, we only get them if they are 25+ years old, and that us just to get I onto the states, getting it registered and on the road, thats a whole headache.

[@_shreyash_anand]

This thing would do great in India. They need to find a way to get it here

[@appujosephjose6129]

@@elpadreisthegoat MG comet is a hit

[@asheeshtiwari4538]

13.5 k pound?? seriously , it is tata nexon EV money

[@MithunOnTheNet]

@@appujosephjose6129 Not really. It wasn't a flop but it didn't sell much either. Comet's sales are declining even after the price cuts.

[@AkilanKamarajan]

@@elpadreisthegoat For context, MG Comet (around 1200 units per month) is outselling Honda City for the past few months in India

[@protagonist9716]

I'll take MG Comet anyday over this

[@williamfence566]

We all know that it would be £30k if it came to the UK. GWM Ora / MG4 all predicted prices rose by another 20% after they finally arrived.

[@AAGGHH4]

The problem is these cars only ever get sold in Japan so they never really catch on anywhere else

[@edwardfletcher7790]

I think it would sell very well in every Asian country. Sales in France, Italy and Scandinavia would also be likely.

[@ALMX5DP]

I wonder if Japanese incentives and rebates specific to their market makes it a non starter in other countries. Or perhaps equally meeting safety regulations of other markets.

[@richardtracey7216]

Make it slightly wider and give it 5 seats and job done.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@ALMX5DP NCAP Ratings would definitely be a problem for all Kei cars.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

@@richardtracey7216 You TOTALLY missed the point. It's a Kei car, its size is regulated by law, it's not meant to be a people mover for 300lb Americans ...🙄

[@edwardfletcher7790]

It's such a joy to have someone friendly and RELAXING doing car reviews ! Cheers Rory 🍻

[@omondisteven4477]

This is giving me the feels of top gear, when you were last in Japan and I love it

[@tylaranderson8559]

I would buy one of these tomorrow if they were available in the states. I have a 1992 Subaru sambar van. Unfortunately, the only way to get them in the states is they need to be 25 years old. I drive it daily , it's very reliable , and at 6 ft 4, I have plenty of room in this van.

[@eghosaaghedo4256]

i love Japan. hope i visit someday ❤

[@sparrowhawkdevts]

My brother in Tokyo has had one for several months, and loves it. His first EV too.

[@xkitejunkie]

Indicator stalk on the right is the correct side for a right hand drive car. In general indicators should be the opposite side to the gear stick allowing the driver to change gear and operate the indicator stalk. Most cars made in the UK until the early 80s were this way around and it was only when European cars and ones made for the whole European or world markets became more popular this change to the left.

[@WonkoTheSaneUK]

Kei cars used to be sold in the UK, Vauxhall Agila, Bedford Rascal van, Suzuki Splash etc. The UK has never "outlawed" Kei cars, so Nissan should bring it here, even with Chademo charging!

[@tommydplayskeys]

Yep, there were actually some Kei EVs in the UK sold up to 2019ish. Check out Citroën C-Zero or Peugeot iOn, it's a rebadged Mitsubishi EV. They had a bit less range than the Nissan though so a pretty tough sell. Cheap on the used market, I love mine :)

[@colinstock325]

We used to have the original Issigonis mini before BMW turned it into a monstrosity. And the Hillman Imp, which had a rear engine but you still managed to get exhaust fumes in the car if you opened the window.

[@yanboa]

Love it!! Love kei cars, love this one, love Rory's videos! You should spend more time in Japan!!

[@gani2an1]

why on earth would Nissan not want to sell this worldwide? Where is the logic in that?

[@smilepermile8165]

Safety.

[@Xunxunism]

@@gani2an1regulations

[@AshlynnCairns]

I’m amazed how funny you can be while staying true to yourself.

[@Novilicious]

Nissan is by far the coolest Japanese automaker because they’re the ONLY ones who keep going bankrupt. There! My flawless logic 😂

[@safcnono]

Love it perfect for UK cities

[@Hypervoid584]

Japanese cars are the best in the world! They are renowned for their durability and logical design. The build quality from Japan is consistently top-notch, making these vehicles highly reliable and desirable.

[@tomedward8652]

Reliable yes, but a bit boring to drive.

[@Laughing_Individual]

@@tomedward8652 most people just want something to get them from point A to B. Not everyone wants to be Michael Schumacher.

[@MistSoalar]

I wish there's a proper usage regulations to allow importing new Kei cars in the US. I can't even import as a golf cart or private property runabout.

[@petrichor259]

US wants you to buy huge shitty SUVs instead so that manufacturers can make a lot of money

[@ahmednjidda6182]

I've always loved kei cars, make sense

[@bjmullan]

Rory, the indicators on the right stalk is the correct way for RHD cars. Years ago (for cost reasons) it was switched to LHD. Coming to a junction you would indicate using your right hand while changing gear with your left. Who remembers when that was the norm?

[@DirkDierickx]

i've seen reviews from other channels when this car came out, i always thought nissan should release this car in europe too! it's like the perfect second, drive-around-town car, even if they would bump up the price to €15k or something, it would still be an awesome deal. and you know small cars are popular here as well. i really don't understand their reasoning for not releasing it outside japan.

[@mrakronyahoo]

Lovely car- the UK needs more of such kei cars. Pity there are no plans to bring them here

[@g600f700]

The reason they are not sold anywhere else is the crash test in other countries which is very difficult to do in this size if not impossible to be profitable.

[@chrisshulga]

5:50 what is this song?! Please someone help!!!

[@CerberusTenshi]

I just came back from Japan and driving there was a breeze. I only needed a few meterd to get used to it, with one little hick-up later on. As someone from central Europe, left hand drive manual is my norm. First car I rented and drove was a Toyota Aqua. Nice compact car. 900km with just under 30l of fuel. Automatic, so shifting wasn't distracting me for the time being. Wiper and indicator mix-up only happened once. Second car I rented was a Honda S2000 Type S. Driving was good, but it was a case of "never meet your heros". Still, manual, right hand drive, no assists and except for one tiny hick-up, nothing went wrong. The hick-up came turning right on what I thought was a oneway road, but it wasn't. So I turned right a little too sharp, almost ending up on the wrong side of the road. But only almost. Managed to quickly correct that and be in the right left lane.

[@tron520]

Nissan, don't do a Jaguar here and miss an opportunity to sell your brand to a market that is crying out for a good small EV, the market for these sorts of cars is what any sensible person would have, I love the Honda N-Box.

[@tangerinestorm]

They have been making this for years. This needs to come to the UK, Nissan would absolutely kill it here with this car especially if it is a similar price.

[@scottcochrane638]

Great review mate

[@patricksandeberg8184]

We want all the k-cars to be available in Europe. Pretty please Nippon 🙏🏾

[@EpicThe112]

If they were to be available in Europe where you are from this would definitely compete with the European car makers a segment

[@matpat2636]

Bring it to the UK, Nissan.

[@chunkybeats79]

I test drove one of these in New Zealand, brilliant little car, I wanted it but my partner wasn't keen. The space inside is brilliant, this is also platform shared with the Mitsubishi X as well. Hopefully we see more of these and maybe Nissan bring to local markets and not just relying on imports.

[@MithunOnTheNet]

Perfect city car or a second car, for a quick run to the supermarket. Really wish Nissan would sell these in India. Suzuki's Wagon R is already a bestseller in India for over a decade, so I don't see why Nissan can't assemble it locally at their Chennai plat.

[@jamesengland7461]

I really like the look of this. They've done well disguising the proportions.

[@SteezyG]

I've said this for years. Congestion and co2 problems would be solved if we all drove A segment/kei cars. 660cc and electric cars would please everyone and honestly most people over estimate how much space they need in a car. Make them tax free for 5 years to bolster the support for them and build a network and you're laughing.

[@clivesideshowbob9211]

I'm lovin' this little dinkey. It has so much going for it. Although I'm not sure about reclining in the back for long journeys. With a range of 112 miles, and you won't hit that number, range anxiety will be an issue. Unless the seats come with built-in anti-anxiety technology 🙂

[@GaryJohnWalker1]

Nissan should sell this in the UK - target London/Brum and the other big cities. Ideally give it 50% more battery - make it a 3-seater? More stylish and compact and cheaper than the new small EVs - eC3 and the like. Given Nissan's rocky state, this'd be a win for hearts, minds and sales

[@jjstolethefish]

Anywhere else this car looks awkward but in Japan it just fits perfectly

[@ykd0011]

Sakura! Just call it Suzuka and see the sales go wroom

[@ray412m]

This car can be used in city only, in daily commute scenario, say you drive it from home to train station or street market. And that is particularly useful in Japan or any dense Asian city.

[@kamalashraf4846]

My kei car is an old iron block with 5 speed manual. Love it.

[@xWood4000]

It's like a modern Skoda e-up, nice!

[@ohyesitsme]

or VW Citygo

[@BeFitWithDev]

They should introduce this in India! Lovely car.

[@urbanstrencan]

Perfect city EV for our narrow city streets ❤❤

[@sinoevc]

Your sharing is simply amazing

[@jameshamilton6096]

Awsome Car a real shame its not available here i would buy one immediately. ts 20 miles per hour all around here with speed bumps and if that's not enough we have road width restrictions all over the place and then the ULEZ and Congestion Charge.

[@owainjohns2815]

cool car and great value, Nissan are great quality too. id like to see something as light as a fiat uno 45 with a slightly bigger electric motor and 180 miles usable range, for 10k. everyone will get one.

[@CT37BN]

Japan are the masters in efficient packaging for small vehicles. These are the sort of EVs' that should have been built from the start and not high end baloney no one can afford. Nearly all EV's have useless huge front grilles, integrating solar panels within would certainly give it some purpose.

[@robertarmstrong3478]

Just a jolly to Japan for the review of a car which is not going to be available in Europe, let alone the UK.

[@GQ1494D]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but currently in Japan there doesn't seem to be a seperate category within the Kei class for pure EV models. As such, they have to limit the electric motor's power output to the equivalent of ICE's 64bhp, which is the power cap in the Kei class. If Nissan were to ever put a slightly beefier battery pack and unlock the available power to the motor, for export markets, it would likely give the Chinese-made small EVs an arse-kicking.

[@noseboop4354]

They don't do this for the Sakura, but many kei cars are sold overseas with slightly bigger engines since they don't have to follow the kei car restrictions. India, Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, they all have plenty of tiny Daihatsu, Suzuki and Nissans, under different names.

[@epender]

I believe there isn't actually a legal power cap for kei cars, the manufacturers just made a gentleman's agreement to keep the limit at 64 hp so they weren't in a never ending race to push more and more power out of a 660cc engine. I do agree that they could do with unrestricting the power for foreign markets, however.

[@AcuteChan]

My sister has one. She's in Tokyo so the car is perfect for daily commute

[@BoxBoxBoxGaming]

I'd buy this in America in a heartbeat

[@Notgerman702]

Hey Auto Trader do more videos like the EQS one where he visits some cool place and we all learn and also enjoy a good review.

[@bernardmiller7247]

When, when, when are we going to get Kei type cars in the UK and Europe? I had a Daihatsu Move for years in the early 2000s and loved it and in the 1960s had a Fiat 600 Multipla, a 6 seater with footprint the same size as a Kei car and a 650 cc engine. The four rear seats folded flat into the floor making it a massive load carrier. If it hadn’t rusted away, I would probably still have it. And does driving a small, low-powered car really make you look silly? I think it shows you are practical. But if it does, I’d be happy to look silly any day driving the Sakura or one of the dozens of Japanese Kei cars, vans or wagons. I would even import one direct if it weren’t almost impossible to get insurance at a reasonable price. Come on AutoTrader, import and sell some and do some kind of insurance deals.

[@noseboop4354]

UK and Europe used to get Kei type cars, now they don't anymore due to regulations. The emissions standards, crash safety standards, repairability requirements, and other stuff such as mandatory foglights all make it too much of a hassle to export kei cars to Europe.

[@TEACHER0786]

Awesome vlog

[@ChromeFlakes]

I liked the look for these but Nissan hide them well, I could even find one on display at the famous Nissan Crossing showroom in Tokyo. It has a non-thermally managed battery just like the Leaf. It also only has Chademo 50kWh “fast” charging connection also the same as the Leaf. I’d have the BYD Seagull all day with its thermally managed sodium ion battery and equivalent size. The Sakura is essentially an old Nissan Leaf with a K car body and a smaller battery.

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Would sell well everywhere. Is it chademo charging only?

[@Darkwormhole777]

Looks good, I would buy it

[@Lycaerix]

I've heard some tragic mispronunciations of 'sakura' in my day, but that takes the cake.

[@coryglueckert1665]

the fact that the electric motor makes exactly the same power as the little engines do.

[@CarlosArruda77]

That is not 2 meters tall. If it is then the lad is 2.3 meters tall!!!

[@ALMX5DP]

I think it was just a misleading overlay combined with his statement about general kei car limits, not this vehicle in particular.

[@katzicael]

I wish the US was into these and other small cars VS the Massive Compensation mobiles they're told they *need* at every breath

[@memor-u2e]

thanks for the info.. In the United States, lung cancer kills more than 361 people each day. This is the highest number of deaths from any type of cancer, and more than breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers combined. WHY? According to various sources, engine exhaust contains over 40 identified toxic chemicals, including benzene, arsenic, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, 1,3-butadiene, lead, and a variety of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are considered cancer-causing substances;

[@ttinnovations3310]

Nissan Bring that to the US !!! =) , with 10-20 small batteries you can take out and charge like a power tool

[@amaanahmed3747]

If nissan sold this in the US, it might bring them up. We already have the Nissan leaf and no one buys it new.

[@AidanDerekHarker1996]

As that 7 and 1/2 ton lorry went by the car didn’t shake which is good

[@choibernd5183]

At least better than Dacia Spring and cheaper. Good for 2nd car for local supermarket and school bus. 👍

[@K1989L]

Why can't we have these in the EU? These kei cars are amazing!

[@BillyNoMates1974]

So why don't Kei cars get sold in the UK ? We drive on the same side of the road so no conversion needed. Is it because of crash ratings and certification ? The Renault Zoe got zero stars yet they sold well

[@williegitau6680]

Japan,the cleanest country in the world

[@ArmandoCarvalho-b8u]

Would have been great if the rear seats could slide forward like in a Yaris

[@CptSpears007]

Does the Euro NCAP having anything to do with it not being released in Europe

[@tubefaze]

The boot/trunk is understandably small. Nissan should make a roof rack available for it.

[@frankziddah]

Cool shirt 💯

[@hidetsu7249]

It is Japan's best-selling electric vehicle, but it is too bad eclectic vehicles don't sell around here.

[@michaellee8155]

The closest match to this sized car is the Honda Jazz/Fit, 5 seats, bigger storage, shorter than 4m but a bit higher price and petrol hybrid only.

[@somerandomfella]

Would make a cool little daily.

[@Dino.808]

This car is perfect for the tight city roads of Europe. If think this is another opportunity Nissan has missed by not bringing this car to Europe.

[@tj_enju]

that tarmac is smooth...

[@Hilmi12]

I think EU regulation are why K Cars don't get exported outside Japan. For a short time Daihatsu was selling them in the middle east with good success

[@Dqtube]

The reason is simple, most EU countries have the steering wheel on the opposite side to the UK and Japan. To make it worthwhile they would have to invest in redesigning and manufacturing them in Europe. The closest to the Kei category is the ‘Toyota Aygo X’ or ‘Suzuki Ignis’.

[@frankwong9486]

But problem is when and how much when it sell in UK ?

[@firefox39693]

You guys need to seriously take it easy with the ads. Seriously. There's way too many.

[@KevinSan88]

If you can charge it at home at off peak rates, it would be....what, two quid per charge at 10p/kwh? Running one would be almost free if you can avoid public chargepoints

[@blackpool321]

By the time 8t gets to the UK the price will triple.

[@efraim6960]

this looks good

[@saadtariq1648]

Here In Pakistan, We have these... Some.... but ppl who have bought them are worried about Battery bcs these are imported items.

[@richardtracey7216]

If Nissan can do it, why can’t the rest of them.

[@TheJ1s]

Couldn't tell if that was a cHAdeMO port or not, if it was then that's why and they wasn't planning on switching that vehicle to that like the Leaf.

[@BGS_123]

It may be £13k, but I recognise the nissan front bumper. It's 7 pieces or so. They make their money when you scratch it and you want a replacement. That's £ 700 a piece time 7 😂

[@TheWave251]

Sounds cheap in sterling but its not. You have the most favourable FX rate in years pumelling the yen.... Average Japan salary is 6.2m yen and this costs 2.6m. Whilst you do see these around there are other Kei cars far more popular here in Japan - its a crowded market with countless options for a buyer.

[@jaughnekow]

hope you do a video about kei trucks

[@Sovereign86]

Give us the details on that fly *Afrika Hoody* bro! Don’t gatekeeper the drip!👀

[@silluete]

Looks like big brother of my wuling air ev! Damn I wish it's avaliable outside Japan. Been try to import Honda n-box but way too expensive .

[@williama-d6]

nice car the car looks nice

[@muhammadfadil2515]

Nissan Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto

[@g__o__l__d__6673]

imo cinquento however it was