Honda Beat vs Honda S660 - Kei Car Icons Compared
Both legends in the Kei category, the Honda Beat and its spiritual successor the Honda S660, prove that bigger isn’t always better. These two pint-sized, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive convertibles capture everything great about Japanese car culture: light, nimble and full of character.
Each packs a 660cc engine producing 64bhp, the maximum allowed under Japan’s Kei car regulations. Yet despite their modest power, both cars deliver driving thrills that few modern cars can match.
Seeing these two side by side, the Beat in vibrant red and the S660 in striking blue, poses the question: would you take the red pill or the blue pill?
The Honda Beat - 1990s Charm and Pure Driving Feel
Released in 1991, the Honda Beat was the final project personally signed off by Soichiro Honda before his passing, a fitting farewell to the visionary who helped define the brand.
Following the astonishing success of the Honda NSX, the Beat arrived as a more accessible alternative, a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car that anyone could enjoy.
Visually, the Beat shares cues with its big brother. The ducts feeding into the rear arches echo the NSX’s design language, almost as if the Beat were a baby NSX evolving into its next form. After all, the exterior of the beat was desgined by Pininfarina
The Beat’s softer, cuter aesthetic, with smooth curves, round headlights and iconic zebra-print seats, captures early 90s Japanese design perfectly. Drop the roof and you’re fully immersed in the experience. With the engine just behind you and the revs climbing all the way to 9000rpm, the Beat offers an open-air thrill few cars can replicate.
This particular example takes things up a notch with a Fujitsubo quad-tip exhaust, which gives it a raspy, exotic tone reminiscent of classic Italian sports cars.
Driving the Beat is pure analogue joy. There’s no power steering, modest brakes and zero driver aids. Every corner, every rev and every imperfection in the road adds to the experience.
The Honda S660 - Modern Kei Car Perfection
Fast forward to 2015 and Honda revived the spirit of the Beat with the Honda S660. The formula remained the same: 660cc, mid-engine and rear-wheel-drive, but with modern refinement, technology and safety to match.
The S660’s design is angular and purposeful, packed with sharp lines, ducts and contrasting trim. Finished in a vivid blue with a Mugen body kit and Rosso Modello exhaust, this example perfectly balances aggression and style. The shuriken-style alloys complement the futuristic lines beautifully.
Unlike the Beat’s full convertible roof, the S660 features a targa-style top. Drop the rear window and you’re greeted with addictive turbo flutter and induction noises right behind your head. Inside, the S660 is a world apart from the Beat. The digital displays, driver-focused layout and premium materials make it feel like a modern sports coupe in miniature.
On the road, the S660 feels tighter and more composed than the Beat. The addition of a small turbocharger gives it usable torque, making it more flexible for everyday driving. Steering response is sharp, the brakes are strong and the chassis feels incredibly balanced. For those chasing extra performance, the HKS turbo kit can take power to around 100bhp, transforming it into a proper pocket rocket.
So Which One?
The Beat is more raw. The S660 is more refined. Both provoke the same excitement and emotion, but in different ways. The Beat arguably has more character, while the S660 is an easier place to spend time.
If it were up to me, I’d have to go with the Beat.
How to Get Your Own
Both of these cars were freshly imported from Japan. The Beat was a personal import for a long-standing customer of ours, who will be parking his new red Honda Beat next to his bright yellow Amuse-bodied S2000. The S660 recently passed through our showroom and didn’t hang around for long before being snapped up.
If you’re looking for a Honda Beat for sale in the UK or a Honda S660 for sale in the UK, get in touch with Torque GT. We specialise in sourcing and importing the finest JDM performance cars and Kei cars directly from Japan. Whether you’re after something classic like the Beat or a modern collectible like the S660, we can help you find the perfect example.
