01 / The lineup
Five families.
A few nicknames.
Five model families account for most kei trucks you'll see. Since the 2010s, several have become rebadged versions of each other. We don't rank them; here's who's who.
Suzuki
Carry
Built 1961 – today
Suzuki's long-running kei truck, and one of the two most common in the US. Since 2014 it has also been the base for the Mitsubishi Minicab.
Daihatsu
Hijet
Built 1960 – today
One of the oldest names in the class, and Japan's best-selling kei truck since around 2010. Toyota and Subaru now sell it under their own badges.
Honda
Acty
Built 1977 – 2021
Honda's kei truck and van line. Honda left the class when production ended in 2021, so every Acty on the road today has a few years on it.
Subaru
Sambar
Built 1961 – today
For decades Subaru built its own, with the engine in the back. Since 2012 the Sambar truck has been a rebadged Daihatsu Hijet.
Mitsubishi
Minicab
Built 1966 – today
Mitsubishi built its own Minicab until 2014; since then it has been a rebadged Suzuki Carry. An electric version is also sold in Japan.
Spotter's tip
Look at the plate
In Japan, private kei vehicles wear yellow plates and commercial ones wear black. Spot either and you've spotted the class.
02 / Twins
One truck, many badges.
Japanese automakers often sell each other's kei trucks under their own names. If two trucks look nearly identical, this is usually why.
Toyota Pixis Truck
A Daihatsu Hijet · since 2011
Subaru Sambar
A Daihatsu Hijet · since 2012
Mitsubishi Minicab
A Suzuki Carry · since 2014
Nissan Clipper
A Suzuki Carry in its current form
Mazda Scrum
A Suzuki Carry · long-running
03 / Generations
Three eras, in brief.
Before 1990
550cc era
Smaller engines, up to 3.2 meters long and 1.4 meters wide.
1990 – 1998
660cc arrives
Engines step up to 660cc, and trucks grow to 3.3 meters long.
1998 – today
Today's size
The current 3.4 by 1.48 meter limits, with roomier cabs and more equipment.
Because US imports depend on a truck being at least 25 years old, most kei trucks in America come from the older generations.