- Daihatsu and Toyota update Hijet and Pixis Trucks with safety tech.
- New systems can detect bicycles and oncoming traffic at intersections.
- Base rear-wheel-drive manual models start at ¥1,094,500 ($6,900).
Daihatsu has rolled out a 2026 update for the Hijet Truck in Japan, keeping its long-running workhorse aligned with the latest safety rules. The nearly identical Toyota Pixis Truck receives the same revisions, bringing both models into line with competing kei trucks from Suzuki, Mazda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi.
The current Hijet Truck dates back to 2014, with a facelift arriving in late 2021. Another round of mild safety tweaks followed in early 2025, so this marks the second recent update focused on expanding its feature set.
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For 2026, the big news is an upgraded “Smart Assist” package, now made up of 13 preventive systems tailored to urban driving. It can spot bicycles crossing ahead, detect oncoming traffic when you are turning right at an intersection, and pick up pedestrians approaching from the opposite side when turning left or right.
On the surface, nothing has changed, at least not in the way these kei trucks look inside or out. What has changed sits in the details. The Extra trim now comes standard with LED headlights that include Adaptive Driving Beam, effectively auto high beams, along with Side View Lamps for navigating tight alleys.
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Ignore the badges and the story is largely the same between the Daihatsu Hijet Truck and the Toyota Pixis Truck. The real distinction is that the Daihatsu can be ordered in Jumbo form, which brings a taller roof and a stretched cabin. Beyond that, both models can be configured in just about every way imaginable at the back, from dump trucks and freezers to panel vans and simple dropside pickups.
What Powers These Trucks?
Both trucks run 660cc gasoline engines, with naturally aspirated versions putting out 46 hp (34 kW / 46 PS), while the turbocharged option raises that to 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS). Buyers can choose between rear-wheel drive or a four-wheel-drive setup, paired with either a five-speed manual or a CVT. If your routes tend to get muddy or uneven, the optional 4WD system can be equipped with a differential lock for extra traction where it counts.
How Much Do They Cost?
The 2026 Daihatsu Hijet Truck remains one of the most affordable ways into Japan’s kei truck segment, and its pricing reflects that no-nonsense appeal. The range starts at ¥1,094,500 ($6,910) for the most basic manual version and stretches to ¥1,628,000 ($10,300) for the flagship turbocharged 4WD automatic. For buyers with more specialized needs, commercial variants can push the price as high as ¥2,733,000 ($17,300).
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Daihatsu says the Hijet Truck has shifted more than 4.58 million units since the original model arrived in 1960, a figure that cements its status as Japan’s go-to kei truck.
The Daihatsu and Toyota twins sit in a crowded field, going up against the Suzuki Carry, Nissan Clipper, Mazda Scrum, and the Mitsubishi Minicab quartet. Earlier this year, those four got a mid-cycle refresh, bringing updated safety tech and a revised front-end design.
