The same can be said for the latest fourth-generation, which the automaker just debuted for the Japanese domestic market. The new "wagon-type" Roox kei model, developed with Mitsubishi, now boasts a best-in-class interior length, rear knee room, and rearmost cargo space, but the cherry on top has got to be the massive new 12.3-inch infotainment screen on the dashboard.
What Is A Roox And Why Haven't I Heard Of One?
The new design's success at maximizing interior volume shouldn't be surprising, considering that the "Roox" nomenclature is said to be derived from combining "roomy" and "max," with the model always striving to optimize interior space and features. This fourth-gen effort sports a new "rounded-square" design motif throughout the headlights, wheels, door handles, and it stretches inside to the speedometer and headrests.
The new gen will also sport a two-tone paint effect split at the beltline just below the hood line, inspired by a curved gable design found in traditional Japanese architecture called "Karahafu." There will ultimately be seven full-body paint options for Standard models, as well as six two-tone options and seven solid body colors for the flagship Highway Star trim. Added to the mix are Celadon Green, Cinnamon Latte, and Seto Blue colorways, and there are 17 total configurations available.
The available interior space has been expanded by an impressive 4.5 inches in length without breaking the kei car rules that make it even smaller on the outside than a Nissan Versa. Despite such diminutive proportions the rear cargo area can now hold four carry-on suitcases, so it'll even be capable of short weekend trips with friends. The rear sliding doors make for easy access to the back seat, as it also happens to be the widest in its class. The cabin also boasts larger cupholders and a few additional cubbies in the dashboard to tuck away tissues, wallets, or phones. The rear seats have also been redesigned for improved support and ride quality, and there's more noise-insulating sheets and high-performance sound-absorbing materials around the doors and tires.
The biggest interior update has to be the integrated 12.3-inch infotainment display, which is the biggest in its class (at least until the trend takes over the rest of the kei car market). The new setup features the NissanConnect in-vehicle technology suite, including available Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play features.
Additional safety features added to the new-gen Roox include Intelligent Emergency Braking, Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention for lane-changing paired with Intelligent Blind Spot Warning, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert when reversing. It'll also be the first kei car to market with a feature seemingly copied from the Land Rover family, which Nissan calls Intelligent Around View Monitor. It lets you peer virtually through the hood and engine bay at the front of the vehicle on a screen. This is traditionally developed for navigating a rock or cliff edge in an off-roader, but it could be handy in the city for parking in a tight spot as well, we guess.
The 2026 Nissan Roox kei car is supposed to start at around the equivalent of $10,900 when it goes on sale at the end of 2025, though more will be shared closer to the launch date. The Roox is said to "regularly" be among the top-sellers in the segment, and this one seems to improve on just about everything that's come before it while giving customers, or at least the Nissan marketing team, a new fancy screen to play with.
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