Review: Test riding Honda’s Motocompacto electric scooter, aka the battery-powered suitcase
I recently got the chance to test ride Honda’s new Motocompacto, a battery-powered suitcase with wheels that comes complete with an underwhelming 15 mph top speed and an adorable bell, which I must say has to be my favorite feature by far. Overall, the Motocompacto’s strongest aspect is its looks, followed by its portability.
For context, this is the electric successor to the original 1983 Honda Motocompacto, which was powered by a tiny gasoline motor and designed to fit in the trunk of a car. The idea was that if you didn’t want the hassle of finding parking close to where you wanted to go, such as a city center, you could park farther away, take out the Motocompacto from the back of your car, unfold it, and ride to your destination.
Specs
- Vehicle Type: Scooter
- Motor: 250 W Permanent-magnet synchronous DC with 490W of Peak Output
- Torque: 11.8 lb.-ft./16 Nm
- Weight capacity: 265lbs
- Wheelbase: 29.2 inches
- Brakes: single rear drum brake
- Charge time: 3.5 hours (110v)
- Battery Capacity: 6.8Ah
- Price: $995
With a range of up to 12 miles, 0-15 mph time of 7 seconds, and a front wheel motor measuring 490W I wouldn’t get my hopes up about using this to get somewhere fast or far, but you can definitely get there in style. On my short ride through Westside Park in NYC, I received quite a few comments and questions from strangers about the Motocompacto, and understandably so since I was riding on what essentially looked like a white suitcase with a few small parts sticking out of it.
The vehicle weighs only 41.3 lbs and quite easily folds down to a manageable and rollable device that you could store in the back of a car or small closet. Honda’s ideal intended use for this vehicle is for people to quickly get around in a city or for college students to travel throughout their campus but at a price of $995 and no suspension, it wouldn’t be hard to find a cheaper alternative for your commuting needs.
Despite the lackluster specs and a 6.8 ah battery, I can’t help but want one of these for a particular reason. Call me immature, but the idea of having a late-night craving for a specific food at the nearby grocery store and being able to hop on the Motocompacto and ride it straight into the store to make my purchase without having to walk or park outside sounds like a dream. I imagine the vehicle’s tiny and adorable looks would make it much easier to be somewhat tolerated while riding through a subway platform or even a semi-empty shopping mall.
With zero suspension, incredibly small wheels, and a tall handlebar, 15 mph is about the highest speed I’d feel safe riding the Motocompacto. While the vehicle comes with some fun tech specs like the ability to adjust your personal settings, such as lighting and ride modes through a phone app, this is still very much a simple and bare-bones vehicle and certainly rides like one. The scooter is powered only by its front wheel motor, and for brakes, you’re limited to a single rear drum brake. For safety, you also have a bell, which I thought was a beautiful touch in the safety and style department.
As for the size, Honda kept the specs pretty similar to an actual suitcase, with its width measuring 3.7 inches when fully stowed and folds to a length of just 29 inches and a height of 21 inches.
The folding and unfolding process was relatively simple and could be done in less than 30 seconds, although the first couple of times doing it, I had a bit of trouble as there are quite a few steps involved, but it’s something that can be done quickly after a short learning curve. Overall, I’d say the folding and unfolding process is simple enough to do so on the go while on a train station platform.
When fully unfolded and you’re ready to ride you’ll find that the vehicle comes with two different modes. For mode one you’ll be restricted to 10 mph and are required to kick off to start moving, and with mode two you won’t have any requirement; push the throttle, and you’re on your way.
With such a small profile, I was surprised to learn there was a place to hold things while riding. Located in the center between the handlebar and the seat is a small space adequate to hold a few snacks or laptops along with a few notebooks. You can also hold the charger that can recharge the battery in about 3.5 hours. With its compact profile when folded up, I imagine it would be a lot easier to get away with bringing this inside to a cafe, office, or building lobby to get a quick charge in.
As for the build quality, I was happy to see that it had some simple yet elegant features, like the synthetic leather handlebar grips and seat, as well as a sleek digital speedometer. An overall pro for the Motocompacto that I love is that it’s simple and designed to be user-repairable. I love that this vehicle is charming and fun, but having a quality build and the ability to quickly repair things yourself is a massive plus in my opinion and helps to slightly justify the steep price tag.
If you’re looking to buy the Motocompacto, it is now available for order through participating Honda or Acura dealerships or online and comes in at an MSRP of $995.
Electrek’s take:
As a last-mile commuting solution for city dwellers or college students, I can’t see the Motocompacto as highly competitive in the market, but as a suitcase with wheels, I think this might just be the best there is.
The steep price tag and underwhelming specs make it hard to see this as a game changer, but this is still Honda’s early days into the electric PEV space, with a lot more to come.
Honda Motocompacto review video
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Tesla is going to build a new Megafactory in Texas near Houston, according to a tax abatement agreement with Waller County.
At the time of writing, Tesla had yet to comment on the new project, but the Waller County Commissioners Court confirmed the project on Wednesday when they approved a tax abatement deal with the company:
Under the proposed agreement, Tesla will receive tax abatements from Waller County based on property improvements. The deal includes $44 million in facility improvements and $150 million in Tesla manufacturing equipment that Tesla will install. The next phase involves a new $31 million distribution facility with about $2 million in Tesla distribution equipment and building upgrades.
Tesla is going to take over a 1-million-sq-ft building that it already held the lease on at the Empire West industrial park near Katy, Texas – just outside of Houston.
Logistics company DB Schenker occupied the space where it handled parts for Tesla, but it will move out and Tesla plans to build Megapack production lines at the site:
Tesla will operate a new Megapack battery storage manufacturing facility at a 1 million-square-foot building, which was initially constructed with no tenant on speculation that it would attract jobs and economic development.
Tesla has previously referred to plants producing Megapacks as “Megafactory”. The company already operates one in Lathrop, California, and one in Shanghai, China, where it just started production.
Those factories are set up for a production capacity of 40 GWh worth of Megapacks per year.
It’s not clear if Tesla plans for a similar capacity at this new factory, but the county announced project should result in creating 1,500 jobs.
In addition to the existing building, the project will include the construction of an additional “600,000-square-foot distribution facility with some manufacturing capabilities.”
Unlike its automotive business, Tesla’s energy business has been growing at an impressive pace – although prices and margins have come down last year.
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![Is Genesis taking notes from Porsche? New GV60 Magma caught with the Taycan [Video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/03/Genesis-GV60-Magma-Porsche-2.jpeg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Genesis is gearing up to unleash its alter ego with its upcoming Magma lineup, its debut into the world of high-performance luxury vehicles. First up is the Genesis GV60 Magma, due out later this year. As testing wraps up, the GV60 Magma was spotted alongside none other than the Porsche Taycan.
The first dedicated Genesis EV model, the GV60, will kick off another new chapter for the Korean luxury automaker.
Genesis unveiled the GV60 Magma last March, claiming it will kick off “the brand’s expansion into the realm of high-performance vehicles.” The performance EV includes an improved battery, chassis, and motor for added performance.
The Magma model boasts a wider, lower stance for more control. Other key upgrades include a wider front air intake to help cool the batteries, motor, and brakes. It also includes air curtains to maximize efficiency and an added roof fin channels air to the rear wing, generating downward force.
Genesis upgraded the interior to match the GV60 Magma’s luxurious, sporty design. It includes unique sports car-like bucket seats with exclusive “double-diamond stitching” in the Magma orange and titanium coloring.
Genesis GV60 Magma spotted with the Porsche Taycan
With its official debut coming up, the sporty Genesis GV60 Magma was spotted testing alongside a Porsche Taycan and Hyundai’s IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 N models.
Despite the camouflage, the video from CarSpyMedia reveals a few new design elements, like the two-line headlight featured on the updated GV60 model.
Genesis will launch the GV60 Magma later this year in its home market, followed by the US, Europe, and others. Production is scheduled to start in the third quarter of 2025.
Will the Genesis GV60 Magma keep up with the Porsche Taycan or Tesla Model S Plaid? Priced and specs will be revealed closer to launch, but it will sit above the Performance AWD trim, which starts at $69,900 in the US. With up to 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, it can hit 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds.
| Horsepower | 0 to 60 mph (seconds) |
Starting Price | |
| Genesis GV60 Performance | 429 | 3.7 | $69,900 |
| Genesis GV60 Magma | ? | ? | ? |
| Porsche Taycan | 402 | 4.5 | $99,400 |
| Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (with Weissach Package) |
1,092 | 2.1 | $230,000 |
| Tesla Model S Plaid | 1,020 | 1.99 | $89,990 |
In comparison, the Porsche Taycan starts at $99,400 with up to 402 hp and a 0 to 60 mph time in 4.5 seconds. The Taycan Turbo GT, equipped with its Weissach package, packs 1,092 hp for a 0 to 60 mph sprint in just 2.1 seconds, but it costs $230,000.
Tesla’s Model S Plaid starts at $79,990 and can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds with 1,020 horsepower. Which performance EV are you choosing?
Source: CarSpyMedia
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