The Honda N-Box Joy is touted to offer a lay-flat padded platform from its fold-flat rear bench.
While the idea of in-car camping has certainly been steadily gaining popularity worldwide these days, it has to be said that no where else has this trend been more popular than in Japan. Such is after all evidenced by the numerous examples of automakers over in the Land of the Rising Sun selling converted kei-camping vans right out of the factory, with the latest entry to this segment being Honda’s newly-launched N-Box Joy.
Based upon the new 3rd-generation N-Box that debut debut just last year, this lifestyle-oriented Joy variant is to be distinguished from the rest of the range through a unique blacked-out grille and the different intake cutouts here on its square face. Honda has since also added black plastic claddings for a more outdoorsy rugged vibe with this camping car variant, before finishing it off with a set of retro-styled black steelies with shiny hub caps.
As for what has changed inside the Joy meanwhile, the biggest tweak here is for it to feature seats upholstered water-repellent fabric featuring a chic mocha tartan pattern. This upholstery incidentally extends to the backs of its rear bench (and subsequent additional fold-up boot floor covering), which is deliberate such that a comfortable padded platform can be created within this kei van when its rear bench is folded flat!
Now naturally with this being a camping car, Honda is also currently all too happy to sell interested parties an almost overwhelming array of factory accessories to further increase the camp-friendliness of one’s N-Box Joy. These accessories range from simple practical storage solutions like various storage nets and hooks, to larger ticket items like a awning sheets that hangs from the tailgate of this kei-camper.
To those who want to further lean into the retro and/or rugged look for their N-Box Joy on the other hand, there is available too a different black grille with ‘HONDA’ script and a pair of bumper-mounted LED fog lights, to add that little bit more old-school macho-ness to its admittedly cutesy face. Also making an appearance on the long list of exterior enhancement options are a custom roof rack, as well as a set of 70s surfer-style decals.
The N-Box Joy is available with two powertrain options: a naturally aspirated 658 cc three-pot engine that generates 58 hp, and a turbocharged version that adds a whole 5 more ponies to the stable. Both engines are mated to the sole transmission choice of a CVT, though there are variants available which send power to either only the front or all four wheels.
Prices for the N-Box Joy in Japan currently starts from a surprisingly reasonable ¥1,844,700 (RM 53,000) for the naturally-aspirated front-wheel drive version, before topping out at ¥2,178,000 (RM 64,000) for the turbocharged 4WD. It should unfortunately go without saying though that this Honda camping car will only be available in its home market…
But just know too that one could actually get an older iteration of this Honda kei-van over here for around RM 80,000, and it is certainly not beyond the wit of a moderately skilled tailor to knock up a foam pad that could cover up the rear passenger space of a regular N-Box. All that is left then is some fairy lights and a portable power supply, and you could well replicate this scene for yourself right here in Malaysia!
