- Mazda Scrum Truck gets a mid-cycle refresh in Japan.
- Related to Suzuki Carry and Nissan Clipper kei trucks.
- Pricing starts around $8,000, tops out close to $10,700
Small commercial vehicles rarely make headlines, yet in Japan they form the backbone of daily business. Now another pint sized workhorse is stepping into a mild refresh. The Mazda Scrum Truck follows its close relatives, the Suzuki Carry and Nissan Clipper cab over kei trucks, with mild styling and tech revisions.
According to Mazda, the new front end looks “more masculine” than before. In reality, the slimmer headlights with darkened internals, the updated grille, and the mildly revised bumper are shared with its Suzuki and Nissan siblings. The only real distinction is the badge on the nose.
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The rest of the bodywork is largely carried over from its predecessor that has been around for over a decade. Still, Mazda has expanded the color palette with a new Moss Gray Metallic shade that has already been available in the Scrum Van Buster. In terms of bodystyle, the Scrum Truck is only available in a single-cab low-roof variant.
Inside, little has changed. The dashboard is still molded in hard plastics, with physical controls throughout and no standard infotainment screen. Step up to the Scrum Truck KX and you get plated air conditioning vents and piano black trim along the upper center console, which can house an optional seven inch or eight inch infotainment system if desired.
Safety First, Speed Never
As regulations demand, the Scrum now comes standard with a basic suite of safety features. The headline addition is Dual Sensor Brake Support II, a collision mitigation braking system designed to better detect pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists, and other vehicles. The goal is to reduce low speed incidents in crowded intersections and tight urban spaces where these trucks spend most of their time.
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In addition, Mazda has fitted a low speed forward brake support system, front and rear parking sensors, and a departure notification function for traffic lights. Lane departure prevention and traffic sign recognition have also been enhanced, bringing the tiny truck up to current regulatory standards.
Mechanically, the Scrum remains true to its kei car roots. It rides on a ladder-frame chassis and is powered by a mid-mounted 658cc three-cylinder engine producing 50 hp 37 kW 50 PS and 59 Nm 43.5 lb ft of torque.
Those numbers will not trouble anything at a stoplight, but that is hardly the point. The engine is tuned for steady, practical work, moving up to 350 kg 772 lbs of cargo through alleyways and rural lanes where a larger pickup would simply struggle.
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Like its Suzuki and Nissan siblings, the Mazda kei-van can be specified with rear wheel drive or selectable four wheel drive. Buyers choose between a five speed manual and a four speed automatic transmission.
How Much Does It Cost?
The 2026 Scrum Truck is now available to order in Japan, with prices starting at ¥1,127,600, or about $8,000, for the base two wheel drive manual. At the top of the range, the KX four wheel drive automatic climbs to ¥1,634,600, roughly $10,700.
Interestingly, the Mazda undercuts its mechanically identical Suzuki and Nissan counterparts at entry level, making it the strongest value proposition of the three. Even so, it still sits above the rival Daihatsu Hijet on price.
