Four trucks make up most of the Japanese kei trucks imported into the U.S.: the Daihatsu Hijet, Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty and Subaru Sambar. All four follow the same kei rules (a 660cc engine, a body no wider than 1.48 m, and a 350 kg / about 770 lb load rating), so they look alike from across a pasture. Underneath they're built quite differently, especially in where the engine sits and how the 4x4 works. Here's how the 1990–2001 trucks, the ones old enough to import today, compare.
Side-by-side comparison
| Daihatsu Hijet | Suzuki Carry | Honda Acty | Subaru Sambar | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Importable generations (2WD / 4x4) | S82P / S83P (1990–94) S100P / S110P (1994–99) S200P / S210P (1999 on) |
DC51T / DD51T (1991–99) DA52T / DB52T (1999–2001) |
HA3 / HA4 (1990–99) HA6 / HA7 (1999 on) |
KS3 / KS4 (1990–99) TT1 / TT2 (1999 on) |
| Engine | 659cc 3-cylinder EF | 657cc 3-cylinder F6A (turbo 1997–2000) | 656cc 3-cylinder E07A, then E07Z | 658cc 4-cylinder EN07 (supercharged versions) |
| Power | About 38–47 hp | 41–59 hp | 37–45 hp | 39–57 hp |
| Engine location | Under the cab | Under the seats | Mid-mounted, under the bed | Rear, under the bed |
| 4x4 system | Part-time | Part-time, with high and low range | "Real-time" automatic 4WD (viscous coupling) | Manual: part-time. Automatic: full-time (viscous coupling) |
| Extra traction options | Varied by grade; some farm grades | Diff lock on the 1999–2001 Nouhan (farm) grade; extra-low 5-speed on some 1990s 4x4s | Attack grade: ultra-low gear and rear diff lock | Extra-low (EL) gear on manual 4x4s |
| Transmissions | 4- or 5-speed manual; 3-speed automatic from 1994 | 4- or 5-speed manual; 3-speed automatic | 4- or 5-speed manual; 3-speed automatic (2WD only) | 5-speed manual; 3-speed automatic |
| Timing drive (1990–2001) | Belt | Belt | Belt | Belt |
| Notable versions | Jumbo extended cab, dump, farm pack, van | Nouhan farm grade, Kintaro Dump, turbo | Attack, Town, dump, Crawler | SDX Supercharger, SDX Classic, dump |
| Built today? | Yes | Yes | No. Ended April 2021 | Since 2012, a rebadged Hijet |
Horsepower figures are converted from Japanese PS ratings and vary by engine and year. For full generation details, see each model's buyer's guide: Hijet, Carry, Acty and Sambar.
Daihatsu Hijet: the all-rounder
The Hijet has been in production since 1960, and Daihatsu, now owned by Toyota, still builds it. It's the truck you'll see most often, with the widest choice of bodies: standard bed, the Jumbo extended cab with room behind the seats, dump trucks and vans. 4x4 versions use part-time four-wheel drive, and some farm grades added extras. The EF engine uses a timing belt, and importers report it's an interference engine, so belt records matter.
Choose a Hijet if you want the most common, most familiar kei truck, or you need the Jumbo cab.
Suzuki Carry: the work-truck favorite
The Carry was Japan's best-selling truck nameplate for 39 straight years, from 1971 to 2009. Its 4x4 versions have part-time four-wheel drive with a high and low range, which helps on steep ground and with heavy loads at walking pace. The 1999–2001 Nouhan (farm) grade adds a switch-operated differential lock and work lights. From 1997 to 2000 there was also a fuel-injected turbo, the most powerful engine here at about 59 hp. One thing to check: the front axle engages by vacuum through a solenoid pack, so make sure 4WD actually engages on a test drive.
Choose a Carry if you want a conventional 4x4 with low range for farm and ranch work.
Honda Acty: the mid-engine truck
Honda mounts the Acty's engine in the middle of the truck, between the axles and under the bed. Its 4x4 is what Honda calls "real-time 4WD": a viscous coupling sends power to the front wheels on its own when the rear wheels slip, so there's no lever to pull. The Attack grade is the one to look for if you work rough ground. It adds an ultra-low gear and ultra-low reverse (marked UL and UR) plus a rear differential lock. Honda stopped building the Acty in April 2021 and has left the kei truck market. Keep an eye on cooling: the radiator is up front and the engine is in the middle, so long coolant lines run under the truck, and overheating is a common complaint.
Choose an Acty if you want 4WD that takes care of itself, or an Attack with ultra-low gearing and a diff lock.
Subaru Sambar: the odd one out
The Sambar is the only one of the four with a four-cylinder engine, mounted at the rear, and the only one with independent suspension at all four wheels. In Japan it's nicknamed the "Farm Road Porsche" for its rear engine. Manual 4x4s have part-time 4WD with an extra-low (EL) gear, and automatic 4x4s have full-time 4WD through a viscous coupling. A supercharged engine was offered too. Subaru built its own Sambar until 2012; since then the Sambar has been a rebadged Hijet, so a Subaru-designed Sambar is always a 2012 or older truck. The weak spot is the long steel coolant pipes between the front radiator and the rear engine, which can corrode.
Choose a Sambar if you want an automatic 4x4, or the most unusual engineering of the four.
Which one should you buy?
- Steep, muddy or rough ground: a Carry 4x4 with low range, an Acty Attack, or a manual Sambar 4x4 with the EL gear.
- 4WD without thinking about it: an Acty 4x4, or an automatic Sambar 4x4.
- Automatic with 4x4: the Sambar's automatic comes with full-time 4WD. The Acty truck's automatic was 2WD only. Ask us about a specific Hijet or Carry.
- Extra cab room: the Hijet Jumbo.
- Hauling gravel, dirt or mulch: all four were offered as dump trucks.
- Enclosed, lockable cargo: a kei van.
Condition matters more than the badge. A well-kept truck of any of the four will serve you better than a rusty "best" model. Use our kei truck buyer's guide to inspect any truck before you buy.
See what we have: all kei trucks, in Houston now and arriving soon. Questions? Call or text (713) 385-9798.
Last reviewed: October 3, 2026.