Is the Honda S660 legal in the USA?

The short answer: No. The Honda S660 is not legal for regular street use in the United States in its current form, because it was never certified for U.S. safety and emissions standards and Honda has not offered it for sale here. Importing one under standard rules isn’t permitted for everyday driving today.

Beyond that immediate point, here is how the situation breaks down: the S660 is a Japanese kei roadster released in 2015, built to Japan’s regulatory and market norms. It is right-hand drive and not U.S.-spec, and there is no official U.S. dealership or warranty support. Importers sometimes discuss options to bring such cars to the U.S., but each path faces stringent federal requirements and practical hurdles that limit their viability for normal road use.

Current legality status

Federal requirements that apply to imported cars

In the United States, vehicles offered for sale must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and U.S. emissions rules enforced by the EPA. The S660 has not been certified by Nissan’s or Honda’s standards for U.S. markets, and it has not undergone the crash testing or equipment adaptations typically required for U.S. models. As a result, it cannot be registered, insured, or legally driven on most public roads in its current configuration.

• FMVSS compliance: The S660 is not certified for U.S. road use by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).


• EPA emissions: The vehicle has not been certified to meet U.S. environmental standards.


• Market availability: Honda has not offered the S660 for sale in the United States and there is no official U.S. dealer network or support.


• Safety and equipment: The S660 lacks U.S.-spec safety equipment and crash-structure provisions required for new U.S. vehicles.

In practical terms, these regulatory gaps mean the car cannot be legally driven on U.S. public roads in its factory Japanese configuration without a formal compliance/registration pathway that is not currently in place for the U.S. market.

Paths to legality and their realities

The main options often discussed, and their practicality

Several strict pathways are sometimes cited for bringing non-U.S. cars to the United States. Each has significant barriers and is rarely a viable route for daily driving:

• 25-year rule (import as a classic/antique): When a vehicle is at least 25 years old, it can be imported without FMVSS/EPA conformity in many cases. The S660, manufactured in 2015, would not reach the 25-year threshold until 2040, so this route does not apply today.


• Show or Display exemptions: Some nonconforming vehicles can be imported for limited show or display use, with strict mileage and event restrictions. This does not permit routine street driving and requires careful compliance with federal and state rules.


• Full compliance and certification: A licensed compliance importer could, in theory, attempt to modify the vehicle to meet FMVSS/EPA standards. For a kei-car like the S660, this path would be extraordinarily costly and technically challenging, and it remains largely impractical for regular road use.

Conclusion: These options exist in theory, but they come with substantial legal, financial, and logistical hurdles. For most prospective buyers, none provide a straightforward or reliable way to legally operate an S660 on U.S. streets today.

What this means for enthusiasts and buyers

Given the current regulatory landscape, US buyers and enthusiasts face limited practical avenues if they specifically want an S660-like experience. Alternatives and considerations include:

• Choose a legal US-market alternative: The Mazda MX-5 Miata or Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ offer compact, lightweight roadster/spyder experiences with proper dealer support and FMVSS compliance.


• Monitor official announcements: Honda has not indicated plans to offer the S660 in the United States, but automakers sometimes reevaluate markets over time. Any change would come with a formal U.S. launch and safety certifications.


• Understand the import implications: If someone pursues an individual import under a nonstandard route, they should expect significant costs, complicated paperwork, and limited ability to use the car on public roads beyond rare events or states with permissive registration rules.

In short, for the average U.S. consumer today, the Honda S660 is not a legal option for regular driving in the United States, and there is no clear, simple path to make it legally compliant in the near term.

Summary

The Honda S660 remains a Japan-only model with no official U.S. sales or FMVSS/EPA certification. It cannot be legally driven on U.S. public roads in its current form. The only potential routes—waiting for a 25-year age threshold (which would be 2040 for this car), or pursuing highly restricted show/display imports or costly compliance modifications—do not offer practical, everyday road legality today. For now, enthusiasts in the United States seeking a similar experience should consider legally imported or widely supported alternatives such as the Mazda MX-5 Miata or other small-roadster offerings.

How much does a Honda S660 cost?

The price of a used Honda S660 varies significantly based on its condition, mileage, and location, ranging from roughly $9,000 to over $18,000 USD for early models in Japan, while special editions like the Modulo X can reach higher prices. Used models available in other markets like Australia or New Zealand are typically more expensive, often between $25,000 and $33,000 USD.
 
Price breakdown by region

• Japan: Early models from 2015–2016 are often found for approximately $9,000–$12,000 USD. 
• Other Markets (Australia, New Zealand): Prices for used S660s are generally higher, ranging from $25,000 to $33,000 USD, due to import and shipping costs. 
• Special Editions: High-spec or limited-edition models, such as the Modulo X, can command prices over $17,000 USD in Japan and even more in other countries. 

Factors affecting price

• Mileage: Lower mileage vehicles generally cost more. 
• Condition: The overall condition of the car, including any modifications, heavily influences the final price. 
• Trim: Different trims, like the Modulo X, have different price points. Limited editions can be significantly more expensive. 
• Location: The vehicle's country of sale impacts the price due to factors like import costs. 
• Transmission: Both manual and automatic versions are available, with prices varying based on availability and market demand. 

Is it legal to drive a Japanese car in the US?

Yes, it is legal to drive a Japanese car in the US, but it depends on the car's age and whether it meets US safety and emissions standards. Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from these regulations and can be imported without modification. For newer cars, they must be modified to meet US standards, a process that is expensive and complex. 
Importing a Japanese car into the US

• The 25-Year Rule: Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from US safety and emissions standards and can be imported legally. 
• Newer Cars:
  • Vehicles less than 25 years old must comply with US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. 
  • This often requires expensive and time-consuming modifications to meet the standards. 
  • The process for certifying a non-conforming vehicle can be very complex. 
• Paperwork and Compliance:
  • You will need documentation to prove the vehicle's age and compliance with all regulations. 
  • For older cars, you must provide documentation proving the vehicle's age and compliance with EPA and DOT regulations. 

Key considerations

• Cost: There are duties and taxes on imported vehicles, and the cost of modifications for newer cars can be prohibitive. 
• Registration: Even if a car is legal to import, you will also need to register it with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Some states have specific rules for imported vehicles. 
• Right-Hand Drive: Many Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) cars are right-hand drive, which may require you to adjust to driving on the opposite side of the road. Some states have specific rules regarding right-hand drive vehicles. 

How fast is a Honda S660?

The top speed of the Honda S660 is limited to approximately 140 km/h (about 87 mph). This is a result of its 660cc engine, which is regulated by Japanese kei car standards to produce a maximum of around 64 horsepower.
 

• Top speed: 140140140 km/h (878787 mph).
• Engine: A turbocharged $660$cc three-cylinder engine.
• Horsepower: Approximately 646464 hp.
• Purpose: The speed limitation is due to Japanese kei car regulations.

Can you get a Honda S660 in the US?

No, you cannot get a Honda S660 in the US through official Honda dealerships because it was never sold there and is not expected to be. While you can't buy one new, it may be possible to import a used one after it turns 25 years old and meets federal import regulations, or through a registered importer if you want one sooner.
 
Official sales

• Not sold in the US: The S660 was designed specifically for Japan's "kei car" market and was never officially imported or sold in the United States. 
• Size concerns: Honda's US executives decided the car was likely too small for the US market, even though there was some dealer interest in a sporty vehicle. 

Importing a used S660

• The 25-year rule: To legally import a vehicle into the US without modifications, it must be at least 25 years old. The S660 was first released in 2015, so the oldest models will become eligible for import in 2040. 
• Registered Importer (RI): If you want one before the 25-year mark, you must work with a Registered Importer who can modify the car to meet US safety and emissions standards, a process that is complex and expensive. 
• Current market: Honda S660 production ended in 2022, so all available vehicles are used models.