NISSAN UNVEILS THE ALL-NEW ROOX KEI CAR - SMALL SIZE, BIG PERSONALITY - PITY ITS ONLY FOR THE JDM.
First off, what is a kei car? The phrase kei car (or k-car) is an abbreviation for kei jidōsha, which loosely translates from Japanese to mean: "light automobile". If a car is going to be light, then you can be sure it's going to be small, and that's the point of a kei car - not to take up space. Cars under a certain size - 3.4 m x 1.5 m - with an engine under a certain capacity - traditionally 600cc - although in recent times we've been seeing them with more than that - benefit from better tax and insurance rates, and when people can save money, they generally will. This has led to a huge, hotly contested market in Japan, and over the years, we've been seeing more and more people in more and more countries wanting kei cars. Many have been private imports because kei cars have never really been a thing anywhere else. While they’re clearly not intended to be fast, they always look cool. Some have really strange dimensions and styling and features, and that makes them appealing compared to the regular things people buy. That still doesn’t stop people from dropping in bigger motors and making them proper fun; even a basic upgrade can give these things a very competitive power-to-weight ratio. Over the years, when chatting to different industry people about kei cars in SA, the consensus has always been that they’re too small for highways. And then those Bajaj Qute things started littering our highways and byways. It’s about time we got some kei cars on our shores, like this latest release from Nissan. It’s subjective, of course, but maaan, they’re funky-looking little things, and honestly, Nissan SA could do with something new and fresh on the cards. They could have a 5th car to offer people… Like this, all-new Roox - a wagon-type kei car for the Japanese Domestic Market.
The fourth-generation Roox is designed to bring more fun, practicality and comfort to Japan’s compact-car market. Kei cars may look tiny by global standards, but in their home market, they’re automotive superheroes - able to squeeze through narrow city streets, slip into impossibly tight parking spots, and deliver big value on a small footprint. The new Roox embraces that spirit with a design concept called “Roomy×Max”, pushing interior space and clever packaging right to the edge of kei car regulations. Starting at around ¥1,600,000 (under R200,000), it shows how much car you can get for sensible money - and it’s the kind of product that could be a smash hit in South Africa if Nissan decided to expand beyond its slim local offering of just four models.
Designers gave the new Roox a funky, rounded-square motif that repeats across the headlights, rear lights, wheels, and even the speedometer. It’s a visual cue that symbolises spaciousness while keeping things friendly and approachable. Colour choices are equally fun, with 17 variations including fresh shades like Celadon Green, Cinnamon Latte, and Seto Blue. A new two-tone scheme inspired by traditional Japanese architecture further sets the Roox apart from more ordinary commuter cars.
Inside, the Roox adopts a “Breeze concept”, creating a relaxing, airy vibe. Think of it less like sitting in a car and more like chilling in a compact lounge. Softer Melange fabric upholstery, high-density urethane seats for comfort, and smart storage touches - like drawers for tissues and sliding boxes for wallets and smartphones - all add to the homely atmosphere. Rear passengers get sliding seats for maximum flexibility, while wide-opening sliding doors make entry and exit effortless. Tech takes a leap forward too: the Roox debuts a 12.3-inch infotainment display (a first for kei cars) and NissanConnect with Google built-in, bringing seamless Maps, Assistant and Play Store integration right into the dash. Nissan has also packed in serious driver assistance features usually reserved for larger, pricier cars. The Roox introduces the Invisible Hood View, a clever camera trick that lets drivers “see” through the bonnet to avoid hidden hazards. It’s also the first kei car to offer 3D View and Front Wide View for better awareness in tight city situations. Safety systems include ProPILOT assisted driving, emergency braking that can detect pedestrians at intersections, Blind Spot Intervention, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert - a level of tech you’d normally expect in an SUV or executive sedan, not a city runabout.
In Japan, kei cars like the Roox make up a massive chunk of the market thanks to their affordability, efficiency and urban-friendly footprint. They’re proof that compact doesn’t have to mean compromised. For South Africa, where Nissan currently only retails the Magnite, X-Trail and Navara (in two guises), something like the Roox could inject fresh energy into the brand’s line-up and offer city dwellers a fun, affordable alternative to the usual hatchbacks. For now, the new Nissan Roox remains a JDM-only treasure - but if you’re lucky enough to see one buzzing around Tokyo, it’s worth stopping to admire how much style and smarts Nissan has packed into such a small package.
Take a look at the YouTube video from 産経ニュース that details a bit about the new Roox for the JDM market. You may want to watch with auto-generated captions on so you can understand - unless you're fluent in Japanese, of course: Nissan completely redesigns its light wagon "Roox" with Riisa Naka as the commercial character. T... | 産経ニュース
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