Tiny EV! Nissan Sakura 2024 review: Would the Mitsubishi eK X-rivalling electric kei car work in Oz?

The 2024 Nissan Sakura is the new electric car that you probably haven't heard of - and that's for good reason: it's a Japanese Domestic Market model. In fact, the EV is actually a kei car, meaning it's a tiny JDM vehicle that's designed for space and fuel efficiency.
Of course, all of that means we're unlikely to see the Sakura sold outside of Japan, although some kei cars have been sold in other markets before, including the Daihatsu Copen in Australia. Either way, the EV is a particularly interesting proposition, given it brings zero-emissions motoring further into the mainstream.
In this expert review, CarsGuide Contributing Journalist Andrew Chesterton heads to Japan to take a spin in the Sakura to find out just what Australia and the rest of the world are missing out on. After all, both it and the mechanically Mitsubishi eK X were recently proclaimed the Japanese cars of the year.
#Nissan #Sakura #review
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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:32 Pricing and features
01:16 Design
02:01 Practicality
02:40 Under the bonnet
02:51 Efficiency
03:15 Driving
04:38 Safety
04:57 Ownership
05:08 Verdict
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Read Chesto's full review: bit.ly/3GKYHQb
Check out our Nissan Sakura hub:
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Visit our EVGuide: bit.ly/3UHO9GT
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[@stuz32]

As a Kei truck driver, yes, we should have these in Australia.

[@c3vzn]

I love these cars. So much room inside for the size.

[@asjeot]

Would be a great second car just for the local trips. Overnight charging on a standard power outlet is great.

[@neongo6446]

Really would love to have one in Australia myself

[@teslabot6517]

😎 review. Once people realise that they can have a city car and maybe a longer range electric for the occasional country drive, the Sakura will sell like 🔥 cakes.

[@michaelh4484]

Nissan Oz, please bring It here

[@INTELLIGENCE_Revolution]

I love this car as a second car! I want this car ❤

[@pandjichristian7872]

Nissan please bring these to Australia!

[@PeterPanQuails]

Apparently you can now import this Nissan Sakura directly from Japan. There are quite a few JDM importers in Australia who can help you source and buy(auction) the car for you.

[@ronnyvandyk4244]

Count me in, my love of Kei cars, EV, and quirky all in one! I have checked out some of the ICE Kei cars and the interior space is insane. Bring it!

[@NathanArnold-sf7gx]

Love it!

[@bboy349833591]

Needs to be below $25K in Australia to be truly competitive given its size and range.

[@Ausf]

It would be $35k if it ever came here.

[@johnstath9666]

I’m with you. This what I need as my daily driver.

[@andrewcumming6319]

Bring it to Australia

[@fangitjoe]

Yes, please!

[@brendanoriordan549]

Nissan will never listen to its customers or fanbase in Aus We get all the rejects from infinity who keep destroying Nissan With the price of fuel , the charge time of this fits the bill. Now just for one moment , imagine a Nismo version

[@72Jonkers]

Please, bring it to the Netherlands!!

[@jamlongsaiyot3323]

They might look small from the width. But these kei cars have high ceilings. They’re quite spacious and comfortable inside (own two of these in JP).

[@MithunOnTheNet]

Love the look! Hope Nissan would bring this to India!

[@ausmartin1]

Ideal local shopping 🛍 cart 2nd Australian car.

[@peterhess6039]

This is really what EVs should be

[@tldrinfographics5769]

What about Teslas?

[@gregparkes4787]

Yes it should be sold in Australia

[@victorsvoice7978]

The Kia Picanto is the most affordable car in Australia. At about 20k. Nissan will have to compete with Kia and Toyota at the affordable end of the market.

[@keithhooper6123]

Pimento is cheapest car in the UK,at £11,500.

[@UYT7715Flower]

As the pioneer of EV, it is Nissan's loss not export it to US or Aus. But again, I believe they had looked into pros and cons.

[@AndyMatrix]

Last i heard this car sells for 13k USD"20k AUD". where you got 27k AUD from?

[@romeo5607]

Hey Nissan.. Please bring it to India 🥰

[@AndrewSheldon]

Needs to be LFP battery chemistry

[@scottcochrane638]

More tiny cars and quicker

[@sigitpermadi6037]

Drive range in real daily use? Really can 180km?

[@radart6037]

Bring it to Australia in 2024.

[@mr.febrian9248]

Noooo ,that car should be sell to south east asia not aussie🎉

[@Whyunounderstand]

Our stupid government wants to adopt EVs but bans the ones that are actually affordable..

[@sochinshotokan]

I would love a Sakura kei car. I believe we Australians are being ripped off when it comes to the little choice of e-v in Australia. 45-54k the cheapest and not Japanese cars. I drive 90 km round trip to work a day. I hate giving money to petrol conglomerates. I have been to loyal to Japanese cars for over 40 years while my family have had brands from other countries and their interia falls apart where as the Japanese models have a higher quality craftsmanship. Why would I want to jump ship to Chinese, European or American? When the Japanese do such a good job of manufacturing cars.

[@brendanoriordan549]

We can thank the dept of infrastructure and ancap for not allowing this car to Aus, due to (The bs ADR85 side pole test ) In Japan its rated 5 stars but would get a 3 star rating in Aus So Carla Hoorweg from Ancap explain how the Kia stonic get a 5 star rating and not be tested ? All these ads for more fuel efficeint and emission stds is just bs from the dept of infrastructure

[@MARKINAU8]

If Nissan bring it down under, Chinese will beat it with better feature by 3000$

[@mitsuyamaeda-sub]

日産サクラをベースにしたルノーモデルを作れば良いと思いますが…。

[@AutoReport1]

It IS a Mitsubishi EK X.

[@pradeepmagan6951]

Still to expensive needs to be around $20K

[@xboxice2005]

i think even cheaper.

[@jonsnow6741]

!00 mile range ! All to keep you in your 15 min area !

[@harryrose6254]

😂😂😂

[@UPdan]

It's a "small " car not a k car. Let's stop using the k car label so it can be imported everywhere.

[@zili1024]

Nissan copied chinese wuling EV mini. Which cost less than $10k Australian. $27k is not cheap for tiny electric car compair to same class

[@mr.febrian9248]

Wuling low quality

[@user-pd1ww3nk1g]

You can try and put such excitement into your reviews but still won't justify the price tag... 27k AUD for such a small range and car does not make up for that price. If Australia is realistic and not trying to ripp people off and price these small range car under 25k then maybe one could consider buying...but if they want to rip people off then I hope people keep buying petrol cars to stuff up 2030 electric cars from coming to auz

[@legantjukengwei9840]

MG. The flat bench and almost 90 degree seat. Japanese never learns.

[@xboxice2005]

lol 27k aud that can stay where it is i'm sorry.

[@orhun2212]

Car look so ugly 😢

[@INTELLIGENCE_Revolution]

I think it’s so cute 😅

[@kaitospence18]

Ugly? Sorry, but that's a Big no 👎