Small does not mean boring. Thailand now has electric city cars that look nothing alike, so we picked four and looked at them as city-life accessories: colour, size, parking, and what they say about whoever is behind the wheel.

Plain disclaimer first. We have not driven or sat in any of them. Everything here comes from the brands' published specs and press material. The opinions are ours, based on the numbers and the photos, not on experience.

Honda Super-ONE: the grey limited-edition sneaker

If a city car is a shoe, this one is a limited-edition sneaker. It is imported from Japan, only 30 units this year, at THB 990,000. There is one colour, Luminous Gray with a black roof, and a white, grey and blue interior. Press Boost and the motor releases its full 95 hp and 162 Nm, with simulated gear shifts from paddles behind the wheel. The 29.6 kWh battery gives 253 km (NEDC), which we think is plenty for Bangkok. This looks like a car you buy out of love, not arithmetic. The booking window was a single day, 17 August, with deliveries from November, so check with Honda whether any quota is left.

If a city car is a shoe, this one is a limited-edition sneaker. It is imported from Japan, only 30 units this year, at THB 990,000. There is one colour, Luminous Gray with a black roof, and a white, grey and blue interior. Press Boost and the motor releases its full 95 hp and 162 Nm, with simulated gear shifts from paddles behind the wheel. The 29.6 kWh battery gives 253 km (NEDC), which we think is plenty for Bangkok. This looks like a car you buy out of love, not arithmetic. The booking window was a single day, 17 August, with deliveries from November, so check with Honda whether any quota is left.

BYD Atto 1: the one that needs no thinking

It is 3,925 mm long with 5 seats and a 230 L boot, growing to 930 L with the seats folded. Prices start at THB 429,900 for the Dynamic (Blade battery of about 30 kWh, 300 km) or THB 459,900 for the Premium (about 39 kWh, 380 km). It makes 75 hp and has V2L to power things outside the car. Colours reported in the media are Pop Green, Shell White, Quantum Black and Velocity Blue, and our guess is that Pop Green is the one that gives it character. A good pick for a first EV when you do not want to learn anything new.

It is 3,925 mm long with 5 seats and a 230 L boot, growing to 930 L with the seats folded. Prices start at THB 429,900 for the Dynamic (Blade battery of about 30 kWh, 300 km) or THB 459,900 for the Premium (about 39 kWh, 380 km). It makes 75 hp and has V2L to power things outside the car. Colours reported in the media are Pop Green, Shell White, Quantum Black and Velocity Blue, and our guess is that Pop Green is the one that gives it character. A good pick for a first EV when you do not want to learn anything new.

Changan Lumin: parks where others do not dare

It is 3,270 mm long with 4 seats (2+2), about 65 cm shorter than the Atto 1. Tight side streets look like its home turf. It has a 28.08 kWh LFP battery, 301 km (NEDC), 48 hp, and the L DC grade charges on DC at up to 50 kW. The five colours are Magpie Grey, Fog White, Moss Green, Wheat Yellow and Cherry Pink, the sweetest palette of the four. The list price reported is THB 499,000, but campaigns this year have dropped it to THB 399,000 and THB 349,000 depending on timing and conditions, so confirm the current price with a dealer.

It is 3,270 mm long with 4 seats (2+2), about 65 cm shorter than the Atto 1. Tight side streets look like its home turf. It has a 28.08 kWh LFP battery, 301 km (NEDC), 48 hp, and the L DC grade charges on DC at up to 50 kW. The five colours are Magpie Grey, Fog White, Moss Green, Wheat Yellow and Cherry Pink, the sweetest palette of the four. The list price reported is THB 499,000, but campaigns this year have dropped it to THB 399,000 and THB 349,000 depending on timing and conditions, so confirm the current price with a dealer.

GWM ORA 5 EV: the retro one that goes the distance

The only one of the four that steps up from city car to crossover. The design is retro, with oval headlights and soft lines. List price is THB 669,000 for the PRO and THB 739,000 for the ULTRA (GWM Thailand's site shows a from-price of THB 649,000 during a campaign). The 58.3 kWh battery gives 520 km (NEDC), with 204 hp and DC charging up to 120 kW. Colours are Emerald Green, So Blue, Ivory White and Mountain Grey. In our view, Emerald Green is the colour that makes the retro look deliberate.

The only one of the four that steps up from city car to crossover. The design is retro, with oval headlights and soft lines. List price is THB 669,000 for the PRO and THB 739,000 for the ULTRA (GWM Thailand's site shows a from-price of THB 649,000 during a campaign). The 58.3 kWh battery gives 520 km (NEDC), with 204 hp and DC charging up to 120 kW. Colours are Emerald Green, So Blue, Ivory White and Mountain Grey. In our view, Emerald Green is the colour that makes the retro look deliberate.

Which one for whom

If you want a collectible you can drive and price is not the issue, go Super-ONE. If you want a first EV without overthinking, the Atto 1 fits. If you park in narrow side streets every day and like sweet colours, the Lumin is the answer. If you want a retro look that can cross the city comfortably, the ORA 5 has the most charm of the group. A small city car says who you are about as fast as the bag you carry. Oops, that so chic.

Prices and specs are as published by the brands at the time of writing (October 2026). Thai grades and colours may differ, so please confirm with the dealer.

Compiled from brand information and press images from Honda, BYD, Changan and GWM