• Subaru Sambar gets updated safety suite with improved hazard detection.
  • A 9-inch infotainment screen with smartphone connectivity is now offered.
  • Powertrain options include rear and all-wheel drive with a manual or CVT.

Everyone seems rather excited about the idea of a Subaru pickup right now, yet it’s easy to miss that it already sells one in Japan. It’s called the Sambar, and for 2026 it returns with a light round of tech and safety upgrades to keep the pint-sized hauler competitive and on the right side of local rules.

The tiny workhorse is a rebadged version of the Daihatsu Hijet Truck and Toyota Pixis Truck, both of which received similar updates just days ago. Nothing changes visually, though. The cab-over design carries on unchanged, offered in both standard and Gran Cab forms.

More: Even After 12 Years, This Tiny $7K Kei Truck Refuses To Grow Up

Most of the meaningful updates sit beneath the surface. Subaru’s updated “Smart Assist” safety suite is now sharper at spotting trouble, with recalibrated sensors that can detect more scenarios. That includes oncoming traffic when turning right at intersections, as well as pedestrians crossing from either direction during turns.

Beyond that, the little truck comes loaded with more driver aids than you might expect at this size. Front and rear sensors, adaptive high beams, side-view lamps, traffic sign recognition, and lane departure prevention are all part of the package.

Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It

Inside, the kei truck finally steps into the present with an available 9-inch infotainment touchscreen and smartphone connectivity, though you’ll only get it on certain trims. Stick with the base model and you’re back to a screen-free existence.

More: Tiny Kei Truck Becomes A Real Tiny Home On Wheels

The rest of the cabin keeps things old-school. Manual A/C controls and a sea of hard plastics give it a distinct early ’90s vibe, though it’s not without its practical touches. It’s built to work, after all, and the useful bits are all here: deep dashboard trays, adjustable cup holders, an overhead shelf, a shopping hook, and even a seatback pocket.

Manual And 4WD Option

Power comes from a tiny 660cc three-cylinder engine producing 46 hp (34 kW) in naturally aspirated form. Unlike its Daihatsu and Toyota counterparts, the Subaru skips the turbocharged option that bumps output to a more respectable 63 hp (47 kW).

Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It

Drive is sent to either the rear wheels or all four through a five-speed manual or a CVT. The manual 4WD versions are where things get interesting, punching above their weight with a proper Hi-Lo range selector and a rear differential lock.

Budget Pricing

This is still proper budget motoring, with the 2026 Subaru Sambar kicking off at ¥1,094,500 ($6,800) for the base TB with a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, right in step with its Daihatsu Hijet Truck and Toyota Pixis Truck counterparts.

More: For $8,500, Nissan Will Sell You A Kei Truck That Still Thinks It’s The ’90s

At the other end of the spectrum, the range tops out at 1,628,000 ($10,200) for the roomier Gran Cab fitted with a CVT and 4WD. If capability takes priority over creature comforts, the most affordable manual 4WD variant lands at 1,226,500 ($7,700).

Competition comes from the usual kei-truck crowd, with Subaru, Toyota, and Daihatsu’s trio squaring off against similarly sized offerings from Suzuki, Nissan, Mazda, and Mitsubishi.

Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It
Subaru Still Builds A Manual 4WD Truck, But You Can’t Have It

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