Nissan Sakura Is a Cute $14,000 Electric Runabout for Japan

Nissan has unveiled a tiny electric kei car for Japan called the Sakura, which derives its design from the IMk concept car from 2019. The Sakura, named for the Japanese cherry blossom, measures a mere 133.7 inches long, just fitting into the kei-car regulations which govern the smallest class of cars designed around Japan’s narrow city streets. Unfortunately, the Sakura’s diminutive size means the EV will never make it to the U.S. market, but we can admire the cute little box from afar.

The Sakura is powered by a single electric motor producing 63 horsepower and 144 pound-feet of torque. The car weighs 2359 pounds, so don’t expect blistering performance—Nissan quotes a top speed just over 80 mph. Nissan says that “quick and steady acceleration makes merging on highways effortless,” but we’re not sure we would want to test that out on an American interstate. A 20.0-kWh battery provides a 112-mile range according to the Japanese test cycle, and it can act as a power source, with Nissan claiming it can power a home for a day.

Nissan touts a 15.7-foot turning radius, and the Sakura is equipped with Nissan’s ProPilot driver-assistance system and automated parking system. There is also a one-pedal driving mode to make things easier when navigating city streets, while the interior gets a 9.0-inch infotainment screen and a 7.0-inch digital gauge display. The Sakura can be had in 15 different colors, including four two-tone options. The Sakura goes on sale in Japan this summer and starts at the current equivalent of just under $14,000.

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