No venture right into the chaos of JDM cars and truck society can be total without checking out the small-but-mighty kei cars and truck. Keijidōsha (which actually suggests ‘light automobile’) is a sensation that’s distinctively Japanese.

Essentially these tiny, teensy, little autos aren’t one of the most typical view on the roadways beyond Japan. However there’s no rejecting that their impact has actually made fairly the mark on the international cars and truck scene. Keijidōsha is simply among the several designs of Japanese cars and truck that has actually gradually gone beyond to legendary standing. So, allow’s have a look at 10 of our all-time favourites. However firstly, allow’s respond to the often-asked concern: just what is a kei cars and truck?

What is a kei cars and truck?

It’s very easy to think that– what with several a city in Japan being incredibly chock-full– these small automobiles are only concerning ease-of-use and conserving room. However, while that’s definitely a string to their bow in the contemporary age, the principle behind them originates from more than 70 years back. The initial kei autos, which showed up in the late 1940s, were purely restricted to 360cc and developed merely to increase the postwar economic situation. Many Japanese residents in this duration could not manage anything yet a motorcycle, yet the kei cars and truck resolved this issue. Actually, the guidelines and federal government tax obligation rewards that included them were essential in rebooting the home-grown vehicle market. Maybe suggested that without the kei cars and truck Japan would certainly be a really various location nowadays, with minimal of the cars and truck makers we understand and enjoy still out there.

The keitora tax obligation guidelines have actually transformed a little throughout the years. In 1975, the guidelines were upgraded to enable 550cc engines, and the ’90s induced the 660cc age– a duration in between 1990 and 2013 which is viewed as something of a golden age for the modest keijidōsha. From after that till the here and now day, federal government rewards have not been virtually as kind to kei cars and truck proprietors, yet the small 660cc engines and the kei values survives on.

With a main 64bhp restriction and total measurements needing to disappear than 3,490 mm long and 1,490 mm vast, kei cars and truck developers have actually constantly needed to, allow’s simply state, go for it to make their autos stick out in a sector that’s equally as crowded as the cities themselves.

1. Autozam AZ-1 (1992-1994)

In Spite Of not being all that prominent at the time, mainly because of the reasonably large cost, the Autozam AZ-1 has actually come to be something of a poster young boy for the very early 660cc age. And it’s very easy to see why.

Possibly the utmost scaled-down supercar, a lot of the AZ-1 was crafted below in the UK. It was additionally produced by Suzuki, prior to being marketed via Mazda’s Autozam dealership network. And, if that isn’t puzzling sufficient, the basic truth that this cars and truck exists in a market everything about inexpensive useful runabouts is quite complex, as well.

However we think that none of that in fact issues since this pint-sized road tool is an authentic car symbol nowadays. Not just is the AZ-1 packaging a turbocharger strapped sideways of its 657cc electric motor, rear-wheel-drive and an engine installed right between yet, as you can see, it’s obtained gullwing doors, as well. That suffices for us and are adequate to state that this has actually never ever had difficulty attracting attention from the group.

However however, the AZ-1 can be found in at a reasonable couple of Yen greater than the Honda Beat or Suzuki Coffee of the day. And, with the economic downturn in Japan industrious throughout the very early nineties, they really did not precisely fly out of the suppliers. Ultimately much less than 4,500 were ever before generated making the AZ-1 an uncommon monster at that time, and considerably rarer currently.

2. Subaru Sambar (1961-Present)

Subaru might be best-known for their fire-breathing rally autos and farming estates, yet the six-star badge in fact has a much more remarkable background when it pertains to kei autos. The epic Sambar microvan is probably the utmost instance.

8 generations have actually been generated considering that 1961 and the Sambar pick-up has the significant difference of being the initial ‘vehicle’ to adhere to all the keitora tax obligation guidelines, making it the extremely initial kei commercial.

However, naturally, we’re most curious about the legendary minivan which (obviously) has a retro appeal that made it a lot more prominent than you might envision over the previous 6 years. Still, although some later versions included a supercharger to press power to a spirituous 58hp, the modest Sambar plainly isn’t the maddest or most impressive device on our checklist. Although all this modifications when these little vans are changed … which occurs a whole lot.

Possibly one of the most legendary Sambar is the fifth-generation microvan. Created in between 1990 and 1999, these have actually come to be best-known as the base for numerous infant VW Camper conversions all over the world. It’s in fact an easier makeover to accomplish than you may assume. You can also acquire bolt-on conversion sets to construct on your own a campervan for a portion of the cost (and dimension) of the genuine offer. Appears like an excellent concept to us.

3. Honda N-Box (2011-Present)

We can not assist yet enjoy the ridiculous appearance of the Honda N-Box and, with virtually 2 countless them marketed considering that 2011, so, it appears, does everybody else. Actually, this little wagon is still among one of the most prominent autos in Japan, a typical view in every community and city throughout the landmass.

The N-Box is precisely what it claims on the tin– a box on wheels. However, while this scaled-down individuals service provider might not be as overtly wild as a few of our various other kei autos below, there’s no rejecting that it’s an exceptionally well-balanced item of design.

Honda’s concept was to create a kei cars and truck that’s practically impossibly large inside and they have actually handled this merely by being smart and increasing the small impact to the ‘nth’ level. With a Tardis-like, old-fashioned design cabin, 2 generations to select from and approximately 58hp (or 63hp if you can locate a turbocharged variation), the N-Box is assured to provide any person a cozy blurry sensation inside. If you can without a doubt call a vehicle charming, this needs to be up there with the very best.

4. Daihatsu Copen (2002-Present)

That does not enjoy the concept of a mini drop-top? It’s possibly why the Daihatsu Copen has actually been just one of one of the most effective kei autos ever before developed. Also beyond Japan these are prominent, with plenty making their method to the UK over the previous 20 years. The important things is however, the Copen is among those instances where it’s both a real JDM kei cars and truck and it isn’t.

You see, the first-generation Copen included 2 engine choices. A 64bhp, 659cc turbocharged JDM design that’s classified as a kei cars and truck, and the 86bhp, 1.3-litre normally aspirated variation that we obtained below in Europe. The last, purely talking, isn’t a kei cars and truck whatsoever and, also worse, it’s in fact slower than the less-powerful JDM variation.

The second-generation Copen, which occurred in 2014 and is just provided with a 658cc engine, hasn’t verified fairly as prominent on our coasts as the initial, yet it’s still fairly the qualified B-road banger. And a real kei cars and truck too.

What’s essential naturally, is that the Copen supplies a saucy little hardtop exchangeable with countless changing capacity. There’s a bag lots of unusual and fantastic scandal sheets (all showing off showy little bits and items such as BBS wheels and Momo guiding wheels) and the epic Japanese receiver, Freedom Stroll, also supplies a complete aftermarket widebody package … which is fairly the separation from their even more normal supercar productions. Yep, there’s certainly a whole lot to enjoy concerning the Copen.

5. Honda S660 (2015-2022)

As opposed to simply looking like a scaled-down sportscar, the Honda S660 is the genuine McCoy. The follower to the epic Beat (and do not stress, we’ll reach that a person), this mid-engine roadster has actually come to be considerably demanded by collection agencies all over the world. Popular amongst Honda followers for being a little various from the typical Type-R badged Civics, the S660 promptly gained legendary standing in the changed cars and truck neighborhood as well. It’s a head turner without a doubt, yet without being fairly as newfangled as the majority of kei autos.

Much of this, naturally, is to the outstanding specification. As opposed to constructing a vehicle to be charming or eccentric, Honda took the sportscar values incredibly seriously and outfitted the Beat with a hand-operated transmission, a qualified framework and near-perfect weight circulation. And all in a vehicle that evaluates simply 800kg. Include that to the truth that the S660 is well-served by the aftermarket, with a lot of one of the most legendary components makers tipping over themselves to supply upgrades, and it’s clear that what we have below is something unique.

Body designing and suspension upgrades prevail on autos in the pre-owned market and the legendary Japanese supplier, HKS, also supplies a turbocharger conversion to press the basic 64hp to more than 100. Simply put, you simply can not fail.

6. Suzuki Wagon R (1993-Present)

Of all the kei autos on our checklist, the Wagon R is probably one of the most knowledgeable about drivers below in the UK. Once more though, all is not as it appears. The Wagon R+ variation readily available below in Europe really did not come till 2017 and had not been identified as a kei cars and truck whatsoever, mainly due to the 1-litre (and later on 1.2 and 1.3-litre) engines stuffed right into a somewhat bigger body covering. The Wagon R+ was basically a Euro rebadging of the Japanese Wagon R-Wide, a vehicle that constantly went beyond the kei cars and truck guidelines.

The JDM Wagon R, nevertheless, is a real kei cars and truck. It features the right measurements and the 660cc three-cylinder engine you would certainly anticipate, yet what’s significant is that it’s additionally been the very successful kei cars and truck in Japan for over 20 years. With virtually 10 million striking the Japanese roads, and over 3 million marketed around Asia (with the mass of them in India), the Wagon R has actually been just one of the largest success tales for Suzuki.

However, the large appeal of this cars and truck suggests that it’s currently taken into consideration typical. So, over all 4 generations considering that the 1990s, what provides the Wagon R the right to be on our checklist of unusual and fantastic kei autos? Well, the quirkiness of the initial and second-generation versions is constantly a good talking factor. Up till 2003, the majority of JDM Wagon Rs had a four-door design with 2 doors on one side and a solitary door on the various other. Unfortunately, this has actually advanced right into an extra traditional five-door design throughout the years yet, however, the Wagon R is still going solid.

7. Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato (1994-1998)

The Daihatsu Mira variety was presented over 40 years back, back in 1980. However do not stress if you have actually never ever become aware of this design since the Mira has actually additionally been badged as the Cuore, Deception, Domino and the Handivan. We make certain Daihatsu had a great factor for all this– we’re simply uncertain what it was.

The JDM variation had a 660cc engine and there were a couple of various other definitely ‘non-kei’ choices readily available for the remainder of the globe. Most significantly though, these saw a lot of success and continued to be in manufacturing right approximately March 2018. It’s not a negative run by any person’s requirements, although the substantial bulk were instead simple, uninteresting little autos. Practical is words of the day below … besides the Cuore Avanzato TR-XX.

This little road rocket occurred in 2014 and was improved the brand-new L500 collection system, the initial to enable Daihatsu kei autos ahead with four-cylinder engines. Nevertheless, we still can not assist believing that the Avanzato TR-XX was the outcome of the designers being permitted to go a little wild on the specification. To begin with they turbocharged the 16-valve, twin camera. After that they tossed on an intercooler and made it rev to simply over 8500rpm. And after that– probably to see to it that all 64-horses were being made use of to excellent result– they outfitted the framework with 4×4. And of course, we state 64bhp yet the majority of professionals concur that there’s a fair bit much more under that miniature-sized hood. Like several Japanese autos of the age, the main numbers are a little traditional to state the least.

The very best feature of the Avanzato TR-XX is that there’s no excellent reason this kei cars and truck must also exist whatsoever. There’s none of the typical 100mpg asserts that make a kei cars and truck a kei cars and truck, and it’s not what you would certainly call a straightforward day-to-day runabout, either. However, however, that simply makes us enjoy this much more.

8. Honda Beat (1991-1996)

The Beat might have just been around for 5 years yet its tradition is solid … and not even if it ultimately generated the hugely excellent Honda S660.

This little rear-wheel-drive roadster additionally occurred virtually a years prior to the epic Honda S2000, and the Beat has the difference of being the last cars and truck to be formally authorized off by Soichiro Honda himself, right before he passed away in 1991.

The mid-engine design is necessary, as is the instead impressive handling and the truth that it just included a hand-operated transmission. However what we enjoy most is the Honda VTEC-like strategy to putting down the horse power. You might have just obtained 63bhp from a normally aspirated engine below, yet the designers were determined concerning constructing a correct sportscar without considering forced induction. Rather– as appears to be normal with flashy Hondas– there’s no turbocharger and the peak power comes right on top of the rev variety. It begins at 8100rpm as a matter of fact, when most various other autos (and not simply kei autos) have actually future out of smoke and altered a notch.

All this was to the instead smart 656cc Multi Throttle Responsive Engine Control (MTREC) swelling which came outfitted with an independent throttle body for every of the 3 cyndrical tubes. What the Beat does not have in dimension after that, it greater than offsets in resourcefulness.

9. Daihatsu Hijet (1960-Present)

Touchdown in 1960 and advancing via eleven generations, the Daihatsu Hijet is among the earliest kei cars and truck nameplates that’s still in manufacturing … also if the previous couple of generations have actually basically been re-badged Subaru Sambars.

The Hijet is probably one of the most effective business kei vehicle of them all, with plenty of various setups and trim degrees striking the roads over the previous 60-years. Pick-ups, panel vans, microvans– the compatible framework style and mid-engine design has actually verified considerably prominent, and several have actually defined the Hijet as the stereotypical kei cars and truck. The one they consider over any type of various other.

With a lot of variations to select from we had a little difficulty choosing our favorite yet, at a press, we would certainly state it’s the Hijet Mountain Climber Pick-up with its four-wheel-drive, beefy tires and hardcore diff lock. This is fairly perhaps the most difficult 660cc off-road mud plugger ever before developed, and ample to stay on par with the large children.

10. Suzuki Alto Turbo RS (2014-2018)

It’s regrettable, yet the Suzuki Alto is a mainly featureless cars and truck. This small hatchback has actually been around considering that 1979 and, although it’s still in manufacturing to today, it constantly invokes all kind of photos of Grandmama’s buying cart standing up everybody else between lane.

There are a couple of exemptions though: the ‘Functions’ versions constructed for competitors in the ’80s and ’90s were eccentric little road-going racers, and these have actually come to be a few of one of the most desired by also one of the most reputable kei cars and truck collection agencies. However with that said claimed, we assume the very best of the number needs to be the 8th generation Suzuki Alto Turbo RS.

Not just does this one resemble among the angriest little autos of perpetuity, frowning like some kind of kei cars and truck pit bull terrier with little guy disorder, yet the small threat in fact included a good specification, also by ‘large cars and truck’ requirements. 17-inch wheels on a kei cars and truck is something of an absurd principle by itself yet, according to all records, the handling, power distribution and tools is far better than you would certainly ever before anticipate as well. And we simply enjoy the truth that they additionally made an all-wheel-drive variation.

Words by Midget Burr

With two decades’ experience writing and editing and enhancing changed cars and truck publications, Midget Burr is a specialist in all points autos. He makes use of his experiences as a certified technician, veteran cars and truck home builder and excited roadway rally individual, and is persuaded he’s practically driven every kind of automobile imaginable, from exploring autos and competing trucks to beast vehicles and rally autos.

Insurance Coverage for your JDM import

Whether you have actually selected a JDM kei cars and truck or efficiency cars and truck, we can assist you obtain the best JDM imported cars and truck insurance policy based upon your requirements. If you have actually experienced the procedure of importing a lorry, we understand you’ll treat it with the treatment and focus it is entitled to. Call us on *** for a quote.