5 Best Selling Kei Cars of 2023 in Japan: Rankings and Reviews

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 มิ.ย. 2024
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    Kei cars, also known as Kei jidosha or K-cars, are a unique category of small vehicles that are popular in Japan. These vehicles have a specific set of regulations and characteristics that make them distinct from regular cars. Here are some key points about Kei cars in Japan:
    Size and Dimensions: Kei cars are small in size, with strict regulations governing their dimensions. As of my last update in September 2021, the maximum dimensions for a Kei car are typically 3.4 meters in length, 1.48 meters in width, and 2 meters in height.
    Engine Size: Kei cars are limited in engine displacement size, typically having engines with a capacity of 660cc or less. The engine's power output is also limited to around 63 horsepower (47 kW).
    Tax and Insurance Benefits: In Japan, Kei cars enjoy certain tax and insurance benefits, which make them an attractive option for buyers. These benefits can result in lower ownership costs.
    Fuel Efficiency: Kei cars are known for their fuel efficiency, making them a practical choice for urban driving. Their smaller engines contribute to their excellent mileage.
    Classification: Kei cars are classified into different categories, including regular passenger cars, microvans, and trucks. There are also sportier Kei cars designed for enthusiasts.
    Design and Functionality: Despite their small size, Kei cars are designed to maximize interior space and functionality. They often feature innovative interior layouts to make the most of the limited space.
    Popularity: Kei cars are incredibly popular in Japan, especially in crowded urban areas where their small size and easy maneuverability are advantageous. They are also popular among older drivers.
    Safety: Manufacturers of Kei cars prioritize safety, and modern Kei cars often come equipped with safety features such as airbags and stability control.
    Electric and Hybrid Kei Cars: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in electric and hybrid Kei cars as a more environmentally friendly alternative.
    Cultural Significance: Kei cars have cultural significance in Japan and are often seen as a symbol of practicality and efficiency. They are a part of Japan's automotive heritage.
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ความคิดเห็น • 79

  • @colinrenfrew48
    @colinrenfrew48 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +57

    Most cities in the U.K. would benefit from this class of car. It’s not always about an £80k suv!

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +14

      I think most cities around the world would benefit. Good mileage, small easy to park, cheap and the list goes on.

    • @TokyoHomes
      @TokyoHomes 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      100% agree but SUV sometimes better in winter driving like in Canada lots of snow on Mountains but for warmer place I love to have Kei cars, I own few Kei cars in Canada before I'm thinking to buy it again.

    • @Mobik_
      @Mobik_ 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      every time I visit America and take an Uber... I feel like I have to climb a mountain to get into one of those SUV. It's crazy and unnecessary!

  • @ringomoko3762
    @ringomoko3762 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    I owned kei car 18yrs.now. no problem,no stress and Iove it.

  • @eronedalessandria5914
    @eronedalessandria5914 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +37

    I am Italian and I live in Rome. I have a 2004 Suzuki Wagon r+ and I love it. If I wanted to change it for a similar one I couldn't do it. In Italy they don't sell these types of small cars derived from Japanese kei cars. If there was one like this kei car. I would buy it tomorrow. It makes me angry that the diffusion of this type of car is limited by prejudices regarding their aesthetics. I find them marvels of technology and pragmatism. It makes me angry that I can't buy one because I don't like their shape. I hope that one day a Japanese car manufacturer will have the courage to export a kei car model to Europe and Italy. I looked into importing one into Italy but the problem is not getting it delivered but rather that it cannot circulate because it is not approved to European safety standards. How stupid. There are many videos on TH-cam that demonstrate the opposite. These cars are as safe as those on European roads. Suzuki! Nissan! Honda! Courage! Export these cars to Europe! Or make sure they are approved for the European Highway Code. Ah! I forgot! Put the driver's seat on the left.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It is crazy. They are great little cars. I don’t think they will ever make them left hand drive. Check out the new video on the Delica mini it’s a great car.

    • @DerpEye
      @DerpEye 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I'm italian too. I used to own a Daihatsu Copen, the eurospec one with the 1.3l toyota engine. That car was incredible. Fast, nible, and very fun to drive in the mountains.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      That would be fun one of them with a 1.3 engine in it.
      @@DerpEye

  • @gd131
    @gd131 10 หลายเดือนก่อน +24

    I recently bought an N-WGN! Its not on the top 5 though but I love it very much.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  10 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I think they all good. Have fun with your N-WGN

  • @tron520
    @tron520 15 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    Hi, thanks for the reviews, do like these, seem to have everything you need in a compact vehicle, wish they did these for the UK, would make parking a breeze and just so practical for every day driving.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  15 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

      People from all round the world say the same thing.

  • @xporkrind
    @xporkrind 9 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Outstanding video. Incredibly informative !

  • @user-ub3ph8rq6h
    @user-ub3ph8rq6h 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    Damn I got to wait 25 years to get one of these sweet vans… we will be of the ground by then lol I got a 97 acty street I love it

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I had a feeling that they changed that law. You should check.

    • @nmatthews7260
      @nmatthews7260 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      The 25 year law only applies to our emissions and crash testing rules, but I’m pretty sure a lot of these fit those requirements. Not all tho.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Good to know. Probably is different from country to country.

  • @peterdavis1820
    @peterdavis1820 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +19

    Why are these not available everywhere. I live in London and they’d be perfect.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Because they are built for the Japanese market. Some countries are importing good used ones don’t know about England.

    • @raymondramos7670
      @raymondramos7670 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Is importing brand new one possible?

    • @deutschlanddendeutschen849
      @deutschlanddendeutschen849 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@raymondramos7670yes

    • @keithhooper6123
      @keithhooper6123 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Certainly Honda N Box is available in the UK,from at least two suppliers.

  • @georgekrpan3181
    @georgekrpan3181 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    1.738 mil yen is $12,257 US. The average transaction price for a new car in the US is $48k. Americans are being bled.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      That’s crazy. For big cars here like Prius that size car would cost about 28 - 35k US

    • @georgekrpan3181
      @georgekrpan3181 5 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@lifeinruraljapan Cheers!

  • @kaleygoode1681
    @kaleygoode1681 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Mad that they don't sell these in the UK!
    They'd sell loads!

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      I know

    • @keithhooper6123
      @keithhooper6123 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Honda N Box is imported from around £11000

  • @daciamcv1026
    @daciamcv1026 12 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    Should be the only car for cities

  • @SpicyMatti
    @SpicyMatti 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    im in love with the suzuki special car, what is its exact name of the model? im very interested in looking it up and its prices.

  • @user-ur6fp6tt8v
    @user-ur6fp6tt8v 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Hello again! Please make a video about Honda N WGN!

  • @user-ur6fp6tt8v
    @user-ur6fp6tt8v 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Good day! Why did you give 1st place to Honda? Is it somehow better than other options? Which one accelerates faster from a standstill? The dynamics are interesting to me. Thank you!😊

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Honda N BOX is the number 1 selling car for the last 8 years. It sold 231,385 car 2nd was Daihatsu Tanto selling 159,392 cars. Daihatsu sells the most cars Honda is number 3.

    • @user-ur6fp6tt8v
      @user-ur6fp6tt8v 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@lifeinruraljapan Thanks!

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      You’re welcome

  • @RobinhooD.5
    @RobinhooD.5 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +7

    Can u do video on affordable new ones! With basic models!.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  7 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I can do that.

    • @2fastGEO
      @2fastGEO 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      the tanto is quite the affordable. Only around 11.6k USD if you cash in usd for yen.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  6 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@2fastGEO Really cheap if you use USD. The yen is so weak now.

  • @player1tales
    @player1tales 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I live in Japan and thinking of buying a kei. What do you think about EVs like Sakura?

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      I think it is pretty good a bit expensive and you don’t have a lot of range. You can buy other Kei like the N Box of the Suzuki and save around 1 million yen that will buy a lot of petrol.

  • @jayce704
    @jayce704 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Is it possible to buy one wirh a stearing wheel on the left for the European countires?

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      No they are all right hand drive because they are made for Japan.

    • @2fastGEO
      @2fastGEO 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      you can import, but it can be expensive

  • @KA9DSL
    @KA9DSL 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    The prices in the U.S. for cars has gotten stupidly high. Shame I wasn't living in Japan.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Every thing has got very expensive because the yen is so weak. Every time you turn around something has gone up.

  • @wenxichen7672
    @wenxichen7672 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I wish I could get one of this kind of cute boxy car in Bolivia.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  3 หลายเดือนก่อน

      People all around the world wish they could get them.

  • @allnighterist
    @allnighterist 8 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    does these all kei cars have air bags?

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  8 หลายเดือนก่อน

      All new ones have air bags I think they have had for many years.

    • @mopar392V8
      @mopar392V8 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      日本語で申し訳ないですが、20年以上前から装備されています。
      現代の軽自動車ならば全方位にエアバッグが装備された車種もあります。

  • @boris035..4
    @boris035..4 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Best cars ever!!!!
    This is how all cars should look like!!!!

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      They do look good

    • @boris035..4
      @boris035..4 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@lifeinruraljapan Actually they do look ok, but who the fuck cares about how vehicle looks like?!?!?! Why?!?!?!
      Or how much does it take from 0 to 60?!?!?
      If you wanna racing car buy a racing car!!!?!!!
      I mean bro, just look at the space they have!!! When i ride in audi, bmw, wv and alike I get claustrophobia!!!!The glass is right on my face and I need to lay down when I'm in a car like that... :(

  • @yansenmaruli7758
    @yansenmaruli7758 7 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I wish this car available in Indonesia

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  7 หลายเดือนก่อน

      A lot of people wish they were available in different countries.

    • @PlatinumNath
      @PlatinumNath 4 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Indonesia technically already got kei cars in the past, but the bigger internstional versions, not the kei spec ones. Think of the Suzuki Karimun's of the old which are basically international spec Suzuki Wagon R's and RR's.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  4 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@PlatinumNath You might be right

  • @ManFromYaksh
    @ManFromYaksh 29 วันที่ผ่านมา +2

    My dream to purchase kei car

  • @florianwagner7279
    @florianwagner7279 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Unfortunately those type of cars is not shipped to Europe anymore .

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      It is unfortunate they would sell.

    • @florianwagner7279
      @florianwagner7279 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@lifeinruraljapan Those cars has been sold here, but not any longer. Last one was the Daihatsu Hijet Truck, sold as the Piaggio Porter. Vans and Panelvans has vanished years ago.

  • @Grahamplaysgo
    @Grahamplaysgo 14 วันที่ผ่านมา +1

    The Suzuki was not a Kei car. The license plate was white

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  14 วันที่ผ่านมา

      Some Kei cars do have white plates. You can choose.

  • @charlespilkington8170
    @charlespilkington8170 6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    I like but it won't drive over American speed bumps for snow over 4 in because it'll be a plow.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  6 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I don’t think they are suited for America they are great here in Japan. Small roads, tiny parking spots.

  • @AlexLopez-yk8xo
    @AlexLopez-yk8xo 3 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    What about the engines?

  • @midnightchannel7759
    @midnightchannel7759 5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    You show no pictures of the back of the car, the most important area to women (and these cars would sell like wildfire in the US if the rear can be folded down for hauling stuff).
    The back is the only area I want to see.

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  5 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      I do open up the back door and have a look inside there is not a lot of room in there. The Honda N Box had the seats folded down. From what I have heard you can only import ones over 25 years old. I would not buy a 25 year old Kei car there are not made to last that long.

  • @tktmc
    @tktmc หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    トランクの広さを紹介するならリアシートをスライドすべきです。

    • @lifeinruraljapan
      @lifeinruraljapan  หลายเดือนก่อน

      True but most of the time you would have the seats pushed back.