The Ultimate Kei Car Guide for the US: Sports Cars, Mini Trucks, Vans & the Weird Stuff

If you’ve been lurking on import forums, scrolling through Bring a Trailer, or just want something unique without breaking the bank, you’ve probably looked into kei cars. 

These pint-sized Japanese machines punch well above their weight - especially now that more are becoming 25-year legal for US import.

Kei cars aren’t just about quirk; they’re also practical, reliable, and cheap to own. 

Whether you're eyeing a city runabout, a mini off-roader, or a cult classic sports car, there's something for everyone. 

Below is a breakdown of the best kei sports cars, trucks, and vans, plus a few oddballs for the brave.

Top 5 Kei Sports Cars
These are the ones you buy for fun. Light weight, big personality, and real motorsport DNA - even if they are not exactly “fast” on paper. 

Some are rare. All are fun.  (and they’re becoming collectible fast)

• 1. Autozam AZ-1
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• Production: ~4,392 units
• Price: $16,000–$20,000
• Why It’s Hot: Mid-engine, rear-wheel drive, gullwing doors. Built by Mazda, powered by Suzuki. It’s the most outrageous kei car ever made, and it actually drives well.
• Rarity Factor: Extremely rare! They don’t show up often, and clean ones get snapped up fast.
  
   
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2. Honda Beat

• Production: ~33,600 units
• Price: $10,000–$12,500
• Why It’s Hot: Rear-engine, manual only, and it redlines at 8,500 RPM. Designed with help from Pininfarina and feels like a budget Ferrari for two.
• Rarity Factor: Not super rare, but nice ones are getting harder to find every year.
  
   

3. Suzuki Cappuccino

• Production: ~28,000 units
• Price: $9,000–$11,000
• Why It’s Hot: Front-engine, RWD, 50/50 weight balance, and removable roof panels. It's like a scaled-down S2000 with a turbo.
• Rarity Factor: Still accessible, but clean, unmodified cars are slowly drying up.
  
   

4. Suzuki Alto Works (RS/R or RS-X)

• Production: Tens of thousands, exact numbers vary
• Price: $7,500–$9,500
• Why It’s Hot: Turbocharged, lightweight hatch with AWD or FWD and a 5-speed manual. Street legal rally car vibes with Japanese bubble-era madness.
• Rarity Factor: Decent supply in Japan, especially early ‘90s models. Very usable daily driver for a kei.
  
   

5. Mitsubishi Dangan ZZ

• Production: Low volume
• Price: $6,500–$8,000
• Why It’s Hot: AWD, turbocharged, and equipped with a wild 5-valve-per-cylinder DOHC engine. Completely unhinged little hot hatch.
• Rarity Factor: Very rare — these pop up once in a blue moon. Worth grabbing if you see one.

Top 5 Kei Trucks

Recently gaining massive popularity outside of Japan as a refreshing return to simple motoring; Kei Trucks are reliable, dirt-cheap to run, and built like cockroaches. 
They're robust enough for farms, quirky enough for funny show builds and make excellent off-roaders. 4WD is common, though A/C isn’t a given, especially pre-1999.

1. Suzuki Carry (DD51T era)

• Price: $6,000–$7,300
• Why It Works: Dead-simple. 4WD, 5-speed manual, low-range available on some. Good aftermarket support.
• A/C: Available, but check the spec, not all trucks had it.
  
   

2. Honda Acty (HA3/HA4)

• Price: $6,000–$7,000
• Why It Works: Mid-engine layout makes for great balance. 4WD models exist, usually without low-range.
• A/C: Rare on base trucks. Some higher trims have it - check the dash layout.
  
   

3. Daihatsu Hijet (S83P/S110P)

• Price: $6,000–$7,500
• Why It Works: Solid build, good parts availability, and plenty of 4WD examples with diff lock or low-range depending on trim.
• A/C: Available in later trims (post-’95), but spotty earlier on.
  
   

4. Subaru Sambar (KS4/KS3)

• Price: $6,000–$7,200
• Why It Works: Rear engine in early models. Feels more like a car than a truck. 4WD versions are common.
• A/C: Available in better trims, but base farm models typically don't have it.
  
   

5. Mitsubishi Minicab (U41T/U42T)

• Price: $6,000–$7,000
• Why It Works: Solid mechanics, often overlooked so prices are fair. Some have hi/lo range 4WD.
• A/C: Mixed; more common post-1996 but still hit-or-miss.
  
   

Top 5 Kei Vans

Great for utility or stealth camping. Kei vans give you real space in a small footprint. And yes, automatic transmissions and air conditioning are much more common here than in the truck lineup.

1. Suzuki Every (DA51V/DE51V)

• Price: $7,000–$8,500
• Why It Works: Built to haul. Tons of layout options, some with high roofs and dual sliding doors. 4WD and auto models common.
• A/C: Frequently equipped in post-’95 models.
  
   

2. Honda Acty Van / Street Van

• Price: $7,000–$8,000
• Why It Works: Mid-engine layout, low floor, great city van. 4WD available, auto on certain trims.
• A/C: Often present in Street G and Pro trims.
  
   

3. Daihatsu Atrai (S83V)

• Price: $7,000–$8,500
• Why It Works: More upscale version of the Hijet van. Comes in turbo models, 4WD, and automatics.
• A/C: Widely available on most trims.
  
   

4. Subaru Sambar Dias

• Price: $7,000–$8,500
• Why It Works: Comes in a bunch of fun exterior trims (like the VW Kombi tribute pictured above) Rear engine, plush for a kei van. Dual sunroofs in some versions, automatic optional.
• A/C: Standard on most “Dias” branded units.
  
   

5. Mitsubishi Bravo

• Price: $6,500–$8,000
• Why It Works: Minicab van with better interior and more features. Available with turbo and 4WD.
• A/C: Common in Bravo Super Exceed and later trims.

5 Weird Kei Cars You Didn’t Know You Wanted

These are the wildcards. You’re not buying these for practicality, you’re buying them because they’re unlike anything else on the road. They’re weird, cool, and legal.

1. Suzuki Mighty Boy

• Price: $5,000–$6,500
• Why It’s Weird: It’s a kei ute. A two-door car with a pickup bed. Basically a Suzuki Alto with the back cut off and turned into a baby El Camino.
• Use Case: Light-duty hauling with maximum oddball energy.
• Why It’s Cool: One of the only car-based kei pickups ever made. People love these at shows.
  
   

2. Subaru Vivio RX-R

Price: $6,000–$7,000

What’s the Deal: Tiny AWD hatch with a twin-cam, supercharged engine and a 5-speed. Revs to 7,500 and handles like a mosquito with ADHD.

Why You’d Buy It: It’s the most aggressive kei Subaru ever made. And it’s kind of adorable.

 

3. Mitsubishi Pajero Mini VR-II

• Price: $6,000–$7,500
• Why It’s Weird: A shrunken-down version of the full-size Pajero/Montero. Looks like an off-road SUV but fits in your living room. Full-time 4WD, some with turbo engines, even bull bars and spare tire carriers.
• Use Case: Off-roading, mini overlanding, or just flexing at Home Depot.
• Why It Stands Out: Looks serious — until you realize it’s smaller than a Honda fit.

4. Nissan S-Cargo

• Price: $6,000–$7,500
• Why It’s Weird: Looks like a cartoon snail on wheels and that was the point. The name literally means "Small Cargo," but it’s also a pun on escargot.
• Design: Retro-futuristic French style inspired by the Citroën 2CV. Center-mounted speedometer, bubble windows, and a convertible canvas roof on some.
• Use Case: Pop-up business on wheels, or the most ironic daily driver on the block.

5. Suzuki Wagon R RR

• Price: $6,000–$7,500
• What’s the Deal: Tall kei box with an aggressive body kit and a turbo under the hood. The “RR” badge was Suzuki flexing its tuner side… on a van.
• Why You’d Buy It: You want to gap people in a vehicle shaped like a mini fridge.
   

Honourable mention

Suzuki Jimny JA11 (and earlier)

Price: $6,500–$10,000

Why It’s Good: Probably the toughest kei vehicle ever made. Solid axles, body-on-frame construction, 4WD with low range, and a turbocharged 660cc engine in the JA11. It’s a proper off-roader in a kei-sized shell.

Use Case: Trail rig, snow beast, farm tool, or just a cool vintage 4x4 with real chops. It’ll go where bigger trucks get stuck.

Quirk Level: High. Looks like a mini G-Wagen. Drives like a mountain goat. Feels like you’re in a 1:1 scale Hot wheels car.
 

Final Thoughts

If you’re getting into the kei game, now’s the time. Import rules are opening up the ‘90s~2000s golden era, and prices, while still reasonable - are rising. Whether you want a rugged mini truck, a turbocharged shoebox, or a gullwing sports car, there’s something in this world for you.

Just remember: 4WD doesn’t always mean low-range, A/C wasn’t standard until later, and automatics are mostly in vans. Do your homework before you buy — or better yet, talk to an exporter who actually knows the market.

Speak to our team at Logi-net to get started!