Kei Cars for sale

The Kei car is one of the real hallmarks of Japanese car culture. These cars are compact, fuel-efficient, and are designed to cater to the needs of driving around crowded urban areas where larger vehicles may have difficulty moving. Is it worth buying a kei car? Follow us to know everything about kei cars: 

Mini Miracles: What Is A Kei Car?

Certain types of cars are associated with certain countries: American - muscle cars, and Italy - supercars, how about Japan? Not only is it famous for manufacturing reliable vehicles, but Japan is also a kingdom of kei cars. The kei car originated in 1949 in Japan and came from the name kei-jidōsha, which means light vehicles, and included kei trucks and kei vans. Kei cars have become popular due to their low running costs, compact size, and versatility.

Known also as city cars, kei cars are regulated to a specific vehicle size, power out, and engine displacement to meet Japanese regulations. Specifically, kei-cars have dimensions not exceeding 3.4m in length, 1.48m in width, and 2m in height. The engine capacity of a kei car is limited to under 660cc. These regulations, initially imposed after World War II to encourage affordable and fuel-efficient transportation, have resulted in a distinct class of vehicles.

The kei class is designed to serve the very special needs of Japanese drivers providing taxes, insurance, and running cost benefits. Most kei cars are still manufactured in Japan and well-suited for crowded urban roads and space-saving parking spaces. These teeny little cars can squeeze into the tightest parking spots while achieving fuel efficiency better than normal vehicles. 

Characteristics Of Kei Cars: Tiny But Mighty

The persistent love for kei cars from the early days of Japan's automobile industry can be attributed to the major features below: 

Special design

The box-shaped design makes the cabin very airy. Japanese kei cars have evolved to feel more spacious. The solution they found was that the box-shaped car with a higher ceiling provides a sense of openness. While some models were said to have wacky designs, when practicality is highly valued by drivers, the appearance defects become blurred. 

Compact size

No longer than 11 feet, Kei cars are the smallest category of Japanese, expressway-legal motor vehicles. Their small dimension makes them easy to maneuver in tight spaces, crowded city streets, and cramped parking areas.  Finding parking will be easy with a kei car, as they can fit into spaces that would be impossible for larger vehicles. Because of size and weight restrictions, kei cars are much more advantageous than larger cars regarding parking issues. 

Fuel economy

Kei cars are engineered to maximize fuel economy, making them cost-effective to own and operate. They are claimed to have double the fuel efficiency of regular passenger cars. Due to their smaller engine capacities, kei cars consume less fuel compared to larger vehicles, generally most kei cars can achieve 30 to 55 mpg depending on driving conditions. This efficiency is economically beneficial and supports environmental sustainability by reducing emissions.

Economic benefits 

Not only are kei cars small and fuel efficient, but they are also quite affordable, generally cheaper to own than full-size cars. You can easily get a new kei car with a budget under $10,000, about a fifth of the average US new vehicle price. Also, the maintenance costs and tax fees are significantly lower than those of regular passenger cars. For example, in Japan, the automobile tax for kei cars is about $73, whereas it's 3 to 10 times higher for regular cars.

Variety choices 

True to its reputation as the Kingdom of kei cars, Japan has various designs and uses for kei cars. There are not only sedans and wagons but also convertibles, sports cars, and even campers. With such a wide range of choices, you can select kei cars according to their preferences.

For all these reasons, Japanese kei cars have gained a cultlike following, attracting car enthusiasts or small-business owners seeking affordable alternatives to traditional vehicles or pickup trucks.

The Best Japanese Kei Cars

80 years since its introduction, Japanese automakers have produced many different kei-car models, with some leaving a lasting impression on car enthusiasts. Not only do they have the typical boxy shape, which is optimized for carrying goods and moving in crowded cities, but the following K-car models can serve many other purposes: 

Subaru 360

The Subaru 360 is a rear-engined car produced by Subaru from 1958 to 1971 with a total of 392,000 vehicles produced. Known for its small overall size, the Subaru 360 weighed just 450 kg (1,000 lb) which is half the weight of a Lotus Elise. 

The Subaru 360 meets Japanese kei car regulations. The fiberglass roof helps keep the weight down, and the small engine is mounted in the back. The 3-speed manual transmission also makes the car special. The average prices of the Subaru 360 will range from $15000 to $25000 depending on the model and year. 

Honda S660

The S660 is a successful model beyond Honda's expectations in its domestic market. The sports car is just 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width, 1,180 mm in height, and weighs 830 kg. It's a two-seater roadster with a Targa top and a transverse mid-engine and RWD layout. 

Powering the Honda S660 is a rear-mounted, 660cc turbocharged 3-cylinder engine (origin of the name S660), with a maximum capacity of 64 horsepower, and a maximum torque of 104 Nm. 

Launched in 2015, about 8,600 models were sold in the first year and more than 10,000 the following year. By the time Honda decided to stop production in 2022, a total of more than 30,000 of the  S660s had been sold. 

On the used car market, the price of the Honda S660 is now varying from $11000 to $37000 depending on mileage and model.

Suzuki Cappuccino

Suzuki Cappuccino is a sports car produced by the Japanese automaker Suzuki from 1991 to 1998. This kei car is a two-seat convertible with a removable hardtop, built to meet Japanese kei vehicle regulations. 

This is probably the sportiest model of the Kei cars with its design and engine being constantly improved. So if you need a mini sports car, why not choose Suzuki Cappuccino?

Honda Acty Truck 

The Honda Acty truck is a beloved member of Japan's Kei car class. It's one of the best kei trucks for sale, known for its compact size, fuel efficiency, and surprising practicality.

Launched in 1977, the Acty has gone through several generations, consistently offering a reliable and affordable workhorse for businesses and individuals alike.

Suzuki Jimny

In the US market, the Suzuki Jimny is known as the Samurai, a combination of engineering and style in the SUV line. A globally famous kei off-road vehicle, the Jimny has been produced since 1970 until today. Suzuki has marketed 2.85 million Jimnys in 194 countries through September 2018. The latest models belong to the 4th generation (from 2018), using a 658cc I3 engine, or a 1,462cc I4 engine, 5-speed manual, or 4-speed automatic transmission.

The Suzuki Jimny is available from $30,490 to $37,490 for the 2024 range of models in SUV body types.

Subaru Sambar Van

First introduced in 1961, the Sambar has been a mainstay for generations, evolving through various iterations while retaining its core values ​​of practicality and affordability. Its compact size makes it perfect for navigating crowded city streets and tight parking spaces, while its spacious interior and configurable seating arrangements offer surprising cargo capacity.

In addition to these models, there are still thousands of popular kei car models from wacky to wonderful you can choose from such as Autozam AZ-1, Daihatsu Copen, Honda Beat, or Nissan Sakura…

A Global Future for Kei Car

While Kei cars are deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, their appeal is starting to spread beyond the domestic market. As urban populations grow and concerns about environmental sustainability rise, the compact size and fuel efficiency of Kei cars are becoming increasingly attractive to global drivers.
According to the newest data we had, sales of kei-class vehicles rose by 6.5% to 1744919 units in Japan during 2023. With their compact size and efficient engines, kei-cars are not only popular in Japan because of their maneuverability, low fuel, and insurance costs, but Kei cars' visibility is increasing in many countries, particularly in the US. 

Are you looking for a kei car for sale? Visit our website to get your best deal!

FAQs

What does kei car mean?

The term "kei car" was first introduced in 1949 by the Japanese government, for very small-capacity vehicles. Kei cars, short for keijidōsha in Japanese, translates to English as "light automobile". Kei cars are smaller than regular cars. Kei cars are limited in size and engine power by Japanese law.

How fast can kei cars go?

After the 1980s, Kei cars had evolved so much power, speed, and safety that they were no longer limited to maximum speeds compared to other cars. The maximum speed of Kei cars was unified at a new level of 140 kph (87 mph) by automakers. 

Can Kei cars go on the highway?

Kei cars are expressway-legal motor vehicles. You will see many of them on the highway in Japan, however, in some states in the US, some regulations restrict kei cars from driving on the motorway. It's important to check the local regulations and restrictions in your country to determine whether Kei cars are permitted on highways.

Are Kei cars legal in the USA?

Legality varies by state,​​ currently, approximately 20 states allow Kei trucks to be driven on the road — though not all Kei cars. Kei cars are legal to own and drive in America, provided that they are over 25 years old and are imported and registered legally in the country. However, please note that the 25-year rule may allow you to bring them into the country, but state laws may not allow you to use them except offroad.