• Daihatsu updates the Hijet Cargo and Atrai kei vans in Japan.
  • The active safety suite now detects bicycles and oncoming traffic.
  • Prices in Japan kick off from an affordable ¥1.15 million or $7,200.

Daihatsu has rolled out a round of minor model year upgrades for its popular kei van duo, the Hijet Cargo and Atrai, following the lead of the recently revised Hijet Truck. The changes are focused mainly on safety to keep the little LCVs compliant with Japanese regulations and competitive against their biggest rivals, the freshly updated Suzuki Every and Every Wagon.

The headline of the 2026 update is an enhanced version of Daihatsu Smart Assist. The active safety suite gains sharper detection capabilities for urban traffic scenarios. The radar and camera can now pick out bicycles crossing the road, keep an eye on oncoming traffic in the opposite lane during right turns at intersections, and spot pedestrians crossing from the opposite direction mid-turn.

More: Japan’s Favorite Kei Trucks Get Smarter And Still Cost Under $7,000

The exterior design carries over unchanged, as it has since the current generation arrived in 2021. The one tweak worth noting is that more Hijet Cargo variants now come standard with the LED Package, swapping out the halogen units found on the cheaper trims.

Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy

Daihatsu Hijet Cargo

Like their predecessors, the models come as two-seater and four-seater vans, with the Sloper variant adding wheelchair accessibility, plus a Deck Van configuration with a tiny rear bed. Anyone wanting something closer to a traditional pickup can opt for the Hijet Truck in regular or extended-cab (Jumbo) form.

More: Nissan’s Tiny $14,100 Camper Van Fits A Double Bed, Japan Gets It, America Doesn’t

Inside, the Hijet Cargo sticks with analog dials, while the Atrai gains a digital instrument cluster called the “Active Multi Information Meter.” There’s no standard screen, but the vans can be fitted with an optional 6.8-inch or 9-inch infotainment display.

Buyers can also dress up the kei vans with a range of exterior and interior accessories. One of the coolest is that rear bed, which turns the cabin into a mobile room.

Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy

Daihatsu Hijet Cargo

Under the skin, the lineup continues to offer naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions of the mid-mounted 660cc engine, producing 46 hp (34 kW / 46 PS) and 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS) respectively. Depending on the trim, the engines are paired with either a five-speed manual or a CVT, with power routed to the rear wheels or to all four via an electronically controlled 4WD system.

More: Mazda’s Cheapest New Car Has RWD And A Manual For $8,500

Pricing for the updated range starts at ¥1,155,000 ($7,200) for the entry-level Hijet Cargo Special with RWD and a manual. That’s a touch more than the recently updated Hijet Truck, which opens at ¥1,094,500 ($6,900).

At the opposite end, the high-spec Atrai RS with turbo and 4WD runs ¥2,013,000 ($12,600), while the Atrai Deck Van climbs even higher to ¥2,255,000 ($14,100). Daihatsu also sells the fully electric e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai, though those command a serious premium over their gas-powered siblings, starting at ¥3,146,000 ($19,700).

Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy
Japan Gets A New Manual Kei Van For $7,200, The Rest Of Us Get Envy

Daihatsu Atrai