Drivers in Japan have been cruising around in mini-vehicles for years. Thanks to government incentives, fuel-efficient powertrains and easy to maneuver body styles, they've been a top choice for car buyers in metropolitan areas since not long after World War II. They're a part of the "kei" or "light automobile" class, and this year Honda is debuting one of the most spacious kei cars to ever hit the streets.

Due to strict weight and dimension limitations, these cars are even smaller than the super-compact Honda Fit that's popular here in the United States. Honda took a boxy approach to this, creating the all new N Box, which features one of the largest interiors for a vehicle in its class, while still fitting inside the government's regulations for size.

This super-minivan is made from 90-percent recycled material and features some pretty creative engineering from Honda. Much like the Fit, the gas tank is under the front seats, leaving plenty of room for rear-seat passengers - or cargo, if you fold the seats down completely flat. The 660cc engine is like what you'd typically find in a kei car, but on high-line models, buyers can bolt a turbo to it.

Speaking of the engine, Honda has developed a new DOHC engine mated to a CVT transmission that will be fun to drive as well as extremely fuel-efficient. No word on the official mpg ratings just yet, but rumor has it that the idle-stop mechanism available in the N Box will allow it to achieve the best fuel-economy in its class.

There's not so much of a market for small vehicles like the N Box here in the United States - not yet anyway. So be sure to stay tuned with Rick Roush Honda to be the first to hear if Honda plans to bring the N Box stateside. In the meantime, we invite you to explore the entire new Honda lineup. You'll find a variety of options and styles to suit your lifestyle, all of which achieve excellent fuel-economy and come standard with a slew of safety and comfort amenities.