Real Road Test: Honda S660 - teeny, tiny sports car!

Honda will kill off the S660 in 2022, so I was very glad to scoop a drive of one. This one is owned by @lane motor no less! With a screaming 658cc, three-cylinder, turbocharged engine mounted in the middle, this is a proper little sports car in every sense, but with just 63bhp!
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[@deanodrives4966]

I want one. Much more exciting than a huge powerful car

[@solidsnakec20]

rwd, manual, mid engine, turbo 😭😭

[@jasonk7072]

These would be the answer in cities across the world, not just Japan. Imagine how much extra space for people there would be if London, Birmingham or Bradford were full of little Kei cars instead of Qashqais and X3s.

[@millomweb]

Cities of that ilk can be managed very nicely on a bicycle.

[@martinneumann7783]

@@millomweb Thanks! And if you are riding a BROMPTON there is even more space when it's folded. 😃

[@jasonk7072]

@@millomweb Thoretically yes, but climate and crime make it unappealing to many. Making cars smaller and cleaner is probably more realistic than trying to get everyone on a bike.

[@millomweb]

@@martinneumann7783 I may be the only person that's ridden a T5 with a T5 on the rear carrier. 3/4 of my bikes are T5s The other one's a 'city bike' 18 speed derailleur - with dynamo lighting, of course ;)

[@millomweb]

@@jasonk7072 I've had no issue with crime. There are ways to deal with climate. I think the only thing to deter me from using the bike would be a winter storm - the wind factor would make it significantly unpleasant.

[@chrispenn715]

Love it - such a pity that they never officially imported them here - i would have bought one!

[@Janshevik]

you can have Smart roadster instead

[@chrispenn715]

@@Janshevik Funnily enough, I have a Smart Roadster - but would still go for this Honda. :-)

[@TylerOrNizmo]

There are a few in the country now, was behind one earlier today

[@Pandascams]

carfromjapan website allows you to import them directly to your country, just have to go through the legal process of finalizing it

[@beerlodge5153]

It looks like you're doing about 150mph when you're actually only doing 60mph. Great fun.

[@royjacques5650]

I love 💘 miss hubnuts laughter in the back ground with her Welsh accent 😍

[@Shane_Marsh]

I think the UK and EU should employ the K car regulations. Great vid Ian.

[@connory6741]

Bit late for that now. The uk and Europe are so fixated on evs that those regulations wouldn’t work here.

[@williamegler8771]

Why? The UK and EU have city and mini cars that are much more practical.

[@RWBHere]

@@connory6741 I guess you've never driven an EV? Break the mould and take a test drive. You'll soon see why people are starting to buy them in droves. Most of the new cars sold in Norway are fully electric, for one example. Not because government forces them to buy EV's, but rather by choice. In the U.K., two large delivery companies have just ordered an initial 1,000 delivery vans each. UPS is one of them.

[@HubNut]

Look, I like EVs, but some of us also like the feel and sound of a petrol engine. It's possible to like both.

[@noseboop4354]

@@RWBHere EV has lots of pros, but doesn't work everywhere. If you live in an apartment, you have to compete with dozens of other people for the electric plug. And in cold weather you can easily lose 50% of your range, as well as taking twice or three times longer to recharge. Also, the average age of a car in my area is 12 years old. Guess what, the EV battery needs to be replaced at around 10 years, at a cost of 7,000$ to 10,000$. This makes buying a used EV car very risky.

[@tibitekutan]

I own an S660 6MT in Tokyo myself... It's the absolute perfect car for both the tight alleyways in the city and sharp hairpins out on the touge (especially with the surprisingly ample low-end torque it has). One thing about that "sport mode" button: it only has a functional purpose on the CVT version, as it turns off the idle-stop feature and alters the CVT's pseudo-shift points & response. On 6-speed manual versions, aside from turning the gauge red and swapping the fuel consumption meter for a boost meter, it does absolutely nothing mechanically.

[@richardsedding8444]

As a Civic driver this looks great, I recognize some dashboard similarities! Thank you for showing us this unusual car.

[@mfletch3205]

Japanese Smart Roadster…. Without the leaks! And a good gearbox!

[@EmilysDadd]

Agreed on both counts though the gearbox isn't too bad if you don't rush it. 😉

[@stewartbennett6837]

I had a CRX/Del Sol, which had the electric rear window and a demountable metal targa top, which stored in the boot. The VVTI 1600 civic based engine became a beast at 4000 revs, and topped out at 8000. Lovely noise.

[@Cyberdyne-kg8ku]

This is why I love my 3 cylinder, 74 bhp Seat Mii. It's a hoot to drive within the limits and sounds good too.

[@LikingTrash3991]

A great review Ian. Caterham have released a new Kei car engined seven called the 170, should try one of those out.

[@davidlovatt2335]

Absolutely brilliant video and review quality as usual from the Hubnut team and just shows how clever Honda are in terms of their engineering. Thank you for the review.

[@andrewpreston4127]

That's lovely. Prompted me to think about the Suzuki SC100 Whizzkid that I had a dealer test drive in in 1980. I believe that was a K-car , into which Suzuki installed something like a 980cc (Suzuki jeep ? ) engine. The UK importer of Suzuki cars easily sold every SC100 that they could get.

[@iatsd]

Kei cars are limited to 660cc.

[@AaronSmart.online]

@@iatsd as of 1980 they were 550 cc, but it was common to put larger engines in export models, just like Ian's Charade (Mira) with its 1 litre engine

[@ferrumignis]

@@iatsd That's the point he was making; in Japan the Whizzkid was known as the SS20 Cervo and had a 550cc engine. For the export market Suzuki fitted a 970cc engine (as used in the SJ410) and it was called the SC100.

[@Moggster23]

I love watching videos like this, I never knew this car even existed and what a great car it is!

[@grunthostheflatulent9649]

It looks like a perfect fit for the UK. Nimble, cheap to run and compact, it seems like a no brainer.

[@TheGourmetSnapper]

5:31 That engine sound and exhaust note under hard acceleration reminds me of the smart roadster (rear mounted, 698cc, 3-cylinder, turbocharged)

[@tonypate9174]

Yes just a "wee" bit sad not like a...MUSIC KOGA RACING HONDA S 600.....great grandpa with that roller bearing crankshaft and 10k plus redline , But only a ...HONDA S800 RSC 1968 .....can get near the full on ...META TARO BLURAY....experience ! Old boy Soichiro was never a fan of turbos or wait till "dead and buried" diesel/derv "heavy fuel" burners ...was grave spinning at up to 24.000 rpm when .....HONDA "GRRR" came out ?

[@skogpekka]

@@tonypate9174 Can somebody translate this for me? 😂

[@tonypate9174]

@@skogpekka Any fluent in Ewok (slow basic) care to help ? Raise a paw now.

[@Zadster]

This is the big drawback for me, it does sound more than a bit like a sewing machine. I know the Ford 1.0 3-pot is somewhat larger capacity, but it does sound quite a lot meatier. Maybe a larger non-Kei power turbo would help?

[@tobymcnicol922]

If Honda had built the Smart Roadster it would have been properly developed as this has.... That said, they're a hoot! (80hp, same weight) Even with the leaks, crap gearbox and guinea pig turbo chirp.... I can get my bike in the back of my coupe, with only minor dismantling of bike and car.....!

[@paultaylor9652]

A bootiful wee car Mr HubNut, thanks for finding and sharing this one with us.

[@RoyCousins]

There's a lot of car packed into that tiny package. It looks like a real hoot to drive!

[@Zadster]

If the UK govt are at all serious about our roads and transport, then we need a Kei-like car specification. Electric cars aren't going to be cheap enough for ordinary people for some time, and they only have a short battery lifespan anyway. Base the spec on the Kei, and work with Japanese manufacturers to build these in the UK, or at least adapt them here. Terrace streets just don't have room for ordinary sized modern cars anyway, and don't have driveways to charge your electric 3-series in. U-Kei would make UK jobs, better parking, and are actually interesting, amazing little cars. Its a win all round. And I don't want you to give it back either!

[@idokwatcher2062]

When an S660 has a 6 speed manual but an Alfa Romeo 4C doesn't. That's alll that Italian passion for you.

[@stippolyte]

Thank you Ian, so glad you enjoyed it and the giggles returned, I do love a quirky kei car not that many boxes on wheels are but I do love these sporty versions, those 3 cyl engines do sound like small versions of V or Flat 6's.

[@johngrubb1590]

WHY can't we have cars like this in the UK , they'd be great for first time drivers, and for people like you and me just to have a little bit of fun.😭👍

[@TheOwenoliver1]

Safety standards, this car is designed for cities they are terrifying at 70 mph

[@babsstevetillett600]

Please try to get to the Lane Motor Museum. Fantastic cars, and very helpful staff. The tour through the basement back stock, if available, is really great.

[@andrewentwistle515]

What a great looking sports car, it is the perfect size for Miss Hubnut. What a pity that it is no longer being made.

[@theotherchannel2279]

Your camera woman keeps laughing! 😂🤣😂

[@waynetetley584]

A nice surprise from Honda 👍

[@billybill6604]

Great little car. I love it! Japonese engineering is always good. You two make me feel great evertime. Cheers!

[@KarlAdamsAudio]

I daily drove a Honda Beat between 2006 and 2018, it was an absolute hoot. The engine access looks much better on the S660, although it looks like there's even less luggage space. The trick to shopping for groceries in a Beat is to go by yourself, and make full use of the parcel shelf, passenger seat and footwell.

[@ferrumignis]

I was just thinking there is a lot of wasted space at the rear end, presumably an extended crumple zone to meet safety requirements. My wife often does a weekly shop in her Smart Roadster, which has considerably more luggage space (back and front) than the Honda.

[@johnalees99]

Just had a look at the prices here in Australia, 45000 dollarydoos. Ouch, especially when you have to add on the HKS turbo kit and get 100hp out of them. Maybe if I win the lottery.

[@millomweb]

Why don't you ask Ian for a T shirt: Power: Lees is more !

[@jkk244]

I’ve got a 1992 Honda Beat, this car’s older brother, which I just imported it to the US. It’s fun to see how Honda has updated the Beat concept into the S660. It’s hard to imagine a car with less luggage space than the minuscule amount in the Beat but the S660 accomplishes that!

[@bentullett6068]

I love these little cars. I wish they were available in UK for sale, but some EU laws prevented them being sold here.

[@oceandrive7283]

I have seen a couple for sale in the UK, from importers. The one i saw advertised, they wanted £20K for!

[@bentullett6068]

@@oceandrive7283 wow that's a mad price. I think the older k cars are getting to those prices as well if in good condition.

[@rattymcclelland]

Import one. They very much can be sold here in the UK. I own one. £20k is a bargain for these knowing how much fun they are.

[@mrpcb2566]

Honda have a long history of these types of cars. Many years ago we had a Honda 800S. Engine screemed to 9000 revs all at national speed limits

[@NSW2040]

Saw one of these in Sydney a few days ago .... small yet perfectly formed.

[@nickc4518]

Great little car. I love the kei concept.

[@daniellee9015]

Absolutely lovely car Brilliant video Ian 👍

[@hondamarsh6504]

What a car!! Great fun!! Nice driving!!👍😁

[@timhancock6626]

That's my kind of sports car. I'd love one and it would fit in my tiny undersized garage. What a shame they never came here. It seems to get along just fine on 60 bhp or so. I still can't afford one though 🙄

[@torresalex]

I looove that little thing. It's brilliant. What attention to detail!

[@gryfandjane]

The Lane Museum is truly remarkable, especially for those of us who are fascinated by unusual machinery. They have everything from microcars to Tatras, pretty much the kind of thing you can only read about here in the USA. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit there, and would love to return someday.

[@StratKruzer]

I’ll be checking it out.

[@dreww3810]

Very good insight into a rare sight in the UK, I've personally seen this exact car in Northern Ireland before it made its way to England. Its so perfectly mint. Wish they sold these in the UK I'd buy one no problems.

[@mattw8332]

I thoroughly enjoyed this! 😁 😎 What a brilliant little car. Sad that Honda are discontinuing this. I guess that's how the car market is.

[@mickles1975]

I've been to the Lane motor museum. It's great.

[@gafrers]

I've always loved this car. So cool.

[@motouk439]

Either your really tall, or that car is unbelievably small. You'd think with al the emission laws in England, they would build smaller, lighter cars, but no they go in the opposite direction, and build big heavy cars which probably have awful mpg

[@itstheterranaut]

Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland too.

[@VeyronBD]

The way EU fleet emissions work mean that small cars have a much harder time getting approved. Good example being the suzuki jimny, if it was the size of a land rover discovery it would have been just fine

[@howardkerr8174]

Safety regulations MIGHT be another factor in why cars are growing bigger, and more alarmingly...HEAVIER. When I read the specifications on newer electric cars I find it had to imagine why the vast majority are hugely powerful and hugely heavy.

[@motouk439]

@@VeyronBD Maybe that has something to do with then

[@joedoe114]

This brings back memories...back in the day I had a red MG Midget. What a fun delightful car! Problem was that in the late 70s I could not be seen by the other drivers in their block long cars in NYC 😌 But yeah... Less is def more Thanks for the vid dude...and dudette ✌

[@robertkeable1627]

Excellent stuff. Thanks. Be well and stay safe.

[@jorgefernandez-mv8hu]

That looks like a ridiculously fun car to drive. I have been to the Lane Car Museum and it is chock full of tiny cars. I never knew so many of them existed. Thanks for the ride along, it was fun.

[@chickyb27]

What a fantastic little car. Sounds great! I want one!!

[@Mdtttttt]

I want one!

[@Toby_the_Glen]

I remember this channel when it celebrated the 'mundane' and ordinary?

[@dhbc1908]

Only 12 more bhp than our Daewoo Matiz's 51 bhp Ian, probably similar weights, so not hard to explain why I believe my Matiz is just as much fun at less than 1/10 of the cost.

[@mpersad]

Brilliant little sports car, that looked amazing fun!

[@fr4nn4]

Love it! S660 and N-One are awesome little cars, both very Honda 👍

[@stephentrageser8162]

Woohoo! Small cars that feel fast seem like the best fun. Chiming in to cheer for the Lane Motor Museum, about 20 minutes from home. Well-rounded collection and well-curated exhibits, got to go a couple of times each year.

[@tubaman66]

Super little car - I'm sure they'd sell well here.

[@Chris391971]

Looks great. Reminds me of the Honda Beat that I was desperate to get in the 90’s

[@Lewis_Treff97]

I would love one of these. It's a really pretty little car too

[@samuraifool912]

Oh that looks like Fun. Mr Hubnut was having some. Which was Obvious..! Cheers All. 😎

[@howardkerr8174]

I have to hand it to you HubNut, this is one of those cars that I never knew existed. I am familiar with the Honda Beat and assumed that it was the end of the line as far as sporty Honda Kei cars are concerned. As good looking as this car is, and being a big (literally) fan of small cars, and Hondas in particular, I realize that even if this had been available in the U.S that I never would have been able to fit inside it. BTW, I used to live in Tennessee and finally made it to the Lane Museum about 12 years ago. I spent nearly 4 HOURS there, and yet towards the end I was rushed, so I could easily have spent 6 hours there. The museum also includes many motorcycles.

[@davidsim6906]

These little k cars are great. I bought a new metallic blue Suzuki SC100 GX coupe in 1982 and had a blast all over the UK before selling at 56K miles.

[@craigmclean8260]

Great road test...you two make a great team for these videos! All's I can say is that car looks/sounds "nifty", to use an old-fashioned expression...the interior space reminds me of why I liked the CR-X when it first came out in 1984...lots of room for an averaged-sized person such as myself, being a two-seater, and a hatchback!

[@boronsniify]

I love this little car - great looks and sound. The mid engined Honda Beat, Autozam AZ1 and front engined Daihatsu Cappucino were great little cars and have gained quite a following. Compared to high powered sports cars I think they offer a lot more fun, particularly in places like Devon, where narrow roads mean that you cannot drive wide cars comfortably. Driving a slow car fast is much more fun than feeling frustrated in a supercar. also, the presence of a turbo means you can probably turn the wick up a bit...

[@sadasulna6056]

Brilliant, I adore this little thing (I adore the Copen too). I'm guessing its a car where to wring the performance out of it you have to be on your own as even the one passenger will slow it down. Looks like so much fun. It would also be a perfect sports car for Miss Hubnut to own!

[@EVguru]

There's a reason that Sochiro Honda decreed that the Beat would be normally aspirated. It sounded so much better! Same power as the S660, but at 8000rpm with a redline at 10,000. From a low rpm growl to a full on three cylinder racing wail. I miss my Beat.

[@frothe42]

I love this! What infuriates me is some states in the US are now outlawing vintage vehicles like your previous Mitsubishi Delica. This is a proper city car that works as a every day car that can be driven in the country.

[@frothe42]

And the sound of the engine, glorious!

[@simonk337]

Love these. Tourqe GT have also just posted a video on one. Your video is better 👍 The lead developer of this car was 22/23 years old after winning a company competition to design the car iirc.

[@bigdlasershorts4445]

im impressed tiny little sports car

[@JakobKsGarage]

Wow! As a JDM car owner I really want one now!

[@sexytasmin]

Hi Ian & Miss Hobnut what a great car I want one. Very good video.

[@johncollymore1697]

Great video. Fun car. And you illustrated well the 'Power - less is more'. But you started by saying, "...a 2015 Honda S660 which lives in Tennessee... so it's an interesting tale already... it's been all over Europe the past year and had quite a few adventures." It would be interesting to hear further details of how it has succeeded in retaining its US plate, because I understood that 'visitors' could keep their original plate and registration, but for a limited period only. Perhaps it's because it has been moving about between countries and never been in one country long enough? Cheers.

[@s1914]

Oh man, absolutely loving that! 😍

[@michaeltutty1540]

This car is proof positive that there is more fun to be had driving a slow car fast than there is driving a fast car slow. I would be afraid to try to get in it, though. I tried with the S2000 when it came out. Took the salesman and a friend to get me out of it. We nearly had to call the fire brigade to take the jaws of life to it. I was that firmly wedged. I do rather wonder what the fuel consumption is, since revving the wee out of that tiny engine seems the only option in traffic. Still, a neat car indeed. I have a feeling, Ian, that the Lane Motor Museum should be on your itinerary when planning your honeymoon. I have another feeling that lodging might be rather easy, as I a reasonably sure you have subscribers who would be more than happy to offer a bed and what have you. Keep up the great work. Miss Hubnut, that laugh of yours is positively EVIL. I love it.

[@philipmulville8218]

Excellent review. What a delightful car.

[@daviemaclean61]

Love that back window - handy for visits to diy superstores! ;-)

[@jrharryman32]

I went to Lane Motor Museum around 2010. I have relatives in TN so I should go back, I really liked it.

[@peterriggall8409]

Fantastic. Honda reliability and build quality in a fun little package. It is a wonder they did not sell them worldwide. Great video aided by camera work by Miss Hubnut. 👍

[@steved3702]

The giggles at Ian's seat bolster comment... 😃

[@adrianh765]

I saw 3 of these in Kyoto all in red and it looked fabulous along with all the other K cars that we have never seen here. Wish I could of packed one on my suitcase.

[@seanoneillsongs]

My son's just been having a blast in one for the last few days. Rented for a get out of Tokyo break. It's a brilliant Lamborghini-esque wild green which really suits it. His first car, when he lived in Ireland was an imported Honda Beat - a tad more space for gloves in that.

[@Agrajak]

Very much reminds me of my Smart Roadster. Small outside, looks great, surprisingly comfy and roomy inside, not much boot space, 3 cylinder turbo, great fun. Honda should be better put together though!

[@tomblatch1594]

What a great little car!

[@ciaranburke3243]

Very cool little car, sounds good 👍

[@richardhalliday6469]

Marvellous, I really enjoy these aside reviews you feature particularly the off piste cars. You're not far wrong with spirit of MG Midget comment, Honda, Suzuki, Mazda and Fiat all adhered to that small, fun, wind in your hair formula , talking of Fiat's ( and I love them by the way) get rid of that Multipla , it's sell by date has long gone.

[@badscrew4023]

I would absolutely love it as a daily commute ride (if it had proper right-driving configuration)

[@broomad]

I want one too !!!

[@EdgyNumber1]

All about the handling with these. I like it. You could hold the revs around corners and keep enough power to get round the bends quickly.

[@plym1969]

That was fun. A mid life crisis car for the recently divorced and who had a terrible lawyer.

[@micheltebraake7915]

Indeed a funny and useful little car for the small winding roads.

[@SimonWebbRCandModellingChannel]

The Honda S2000 was amazing as well. It used to rev into the stratosphere!

[@jibjab351]

Love it, especially with top down. Only drawback is that I am a mochyn braster.

[@michaelstaunton1632]

What a brilliant little car very interesting 👍👍

[@soichiyamana7956]

Thanks for the great video, I really like the way you explain the car. S660 has indeed inherited the spirit of MG Midget. I am going to buy one soon!

[@stephenjcuk7562]

I think Hondas motorbike know how has influenced this car. Engineering excellence for the masses. Awesome little machine.

[@dmodeboy]

Me want!! That's an incredible dinky, cute car with massive character.

[@S-Ltd1000]

I had a Brabus Roadster that was remapped to nearly double the power of this. The problem was it was harsh to drive and the gearbox was a little slow at times. Would have one of these in a heartbeat, much more user friendly.

[@keithfletcher6123]

And as if by magic … I just saw one in Hong Kong … had a walk around. Very very cool little car … Reg No. AS660 👍 Owned by an equally tiny female. She’d picked up a McDonalds … I said all she could fit in it … she laughed in agreement 🤣

[@douglasfur3808]

😁always good to see a car that makes Hubnut chortle.

[@ryanbird5419]

Outside the grounds of Shute Barton near Axminster,a lovely place.Perfect place for a car like this.

[@stevennorth6484]

What a lovely little real toy car. Nose has something of the Civic about it.

[@AmateurEnthusiasm]

I just bought one of these and am gorging YT content while I wait for it to arrive. There really isn't much on YT about these little cars!

[@HubNut]

Well done! You're going to love it.