10 MORE KEI CARS THAT ARE WORTH IMPORTING TO THE USA
Back in March, joyous news spread that a bill was put forth in Texas to formally legalize kei cars in the state. We at CarBuzz, of course, jumped at the opportunity to list our top 10 candidates for Texas residents to consider. Now, just this week, Colorado decided to join in on the kei car fun. Their governor, Jared Polis, signed into law the ability to register kei cars in Colorado. The law could be contested, but assuming all goes smoothly, Colorado residents will be able to register their 25-year-old or older kei cars beginning July 1, 2027.
To celebrate, we couldn't resist highlighting 10 more kei cars that are also awesome and worthy of the limelight after decades of obscurity to us Americans - cars that make a Mazda Miata look positively gargantuan. If you live in Colorado or any of the other 29 states, allow us to introduce or reintroduce you to these often-forgotten vehicles that are full of character and charm.
All the cars listed here are, or will be, 25-year-old kei cars by the time Colorado's kei car law takes effect. They have been ranked in the subjective order of coolest to least cool, but, of course, they're all cool in their own ways.
2002 Daihatsu Copen
I'll say right up front that this one isn't eligible to import yet. But by the time this law goes into effect in 2027, it will be. And the prospect of the Copen becoming available to import is too exciting to ignore till then. 2002 was the first model year for this adorable little convertible, and it's quite a unique one too. It offered the fun choice of either a removable hardtop or a motorized folding hardtop, and the latter is especially impressive considering the engineering that must have gone into making that possible in such a small package. And it is small, of course, to qualify for kei car status. It's over 20 inches shorter and about 600 lbs lighter than that behemoth known as the ND MX-5 Miata. But don't try to race any ND Miatas, as they have triple the horsepower.
2001 Subaru Pleo RS
This is another one that technically isn't available to import until 2026 if you want the sportier RS version, but various other Pleos were available starting in 1998, making the lesser versions ready to go now. The Pleo was your typical boxy and practical kei car (classified as a microvan), but its punchiest setup did give you a supercharger on top of that tiny little engine. You're not missing out on much by not getting the RS version, it only provides sportier springs and dampers along with a slightly sportier look. There are plenty of other interesting ones to pick from as well, including the Pleo Nesta, with headlights that were seemingly ripped off a 1990s Mercedes E-Class, or the smiley single-round-headlamp version called the Nicot. Pleos appear to be dirt-cheap as well, only adding to its appeal for those seeking very affordable transportation.
1998 Suzuki Wagon R RR
No, that's not a typo. This 2nd generation of the Wagon R had its sportiest trim named RR. Because one or even two Rs just aren't enough to get the point across, I guess? This RR version of the popular Wagon R received a sportier look and a turbocharged engine with a tiny little top-mount intercooler and a hood scoop to cool it. So fun. The RR version was also lowered 10mm thanks to sportier springs and dampers. Like the Pleo, these are also really cheap, even including the import costs, making them another cool choice for those that want something interesting and unique, but still very affordable and fuel-efficient. And with the options of manual and auto as well as front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive, there's a version for everyone.
1998 Honda Z Turbo
Yes, this is another vehicle name that you are in fact reading correctly, and no, it isn't a result of the recently rumored Honda-Nissan merger. Honda had their own Z Turbo way back in 1998, trademarks be damned. And man, what an interesting little contraption this is. The little kei-capped 0.66 liter inline-3 is nestled in an "Under Midships" configuration according to Honda, with the engine mounted under the rear seat. As a result, this little charmer boasts a nearly 50/50 weight distribution, making it a better handler than the usual "front-heavy" kei cars ("heavy" being used very loosely here). The only downside of the Z Turbo is that it was only offered with a 4-speed automatic, so the fun stops with the handling. It does have AWD though, along with a slightly rugged look, so it should handle those Colorado winters well. And the turbo means that even in the high altitudes of Colorado, it'll be able to compensate better than the naturally-aspirated cars on this list. These are also very cheap, with most examples under $5,000 including import costs, causing me to wonder why nobody is talking about these awesome little 2-door mid-engined marvels.
1998 Suzuki Kei S
Suzuki appears to have also struggled with coming up with new names, unimaginatively calling this car the Kei, and the sportiest version the Kei S (for Sport). The Sport gave you a turbocharged inline-3 that redlined at a surprising 7,000 rpm, even for the automatic versions. This one also has the fun little hood scoop for the top-mount intercooler along with a sportier appearance elsewhere. And with decent ground clearance and even roof rails available, this one actually boasts some of the same qualities of an SUV without the extra bulk. Just don't expect much space. The AWD versions should handle snow well too. Like most of these kei cars, this often-forgotten one is also dirt-cheap, even for well-cared-for and clean examples with lower miles.
1997 Daihatsu MIRA TR-XX Avanzato R
The MIRA TR-XX Avanzato R was Daihatsu's answer to the popular Suzuki Alto Works, and in an attempt at sporty kei-car supremacy, it got a 4-cylinder engine in a segment that usually only offered 3s. Like other kei cars, it was still capped at the same 63 hp, but was the first kei car to crest 70 lb-ft of torque, and the motor revved to a wild 8,500 rpm. It also was the first kei car to get a toe control arm for the rear suspension, and things like a limited-slip differential and rear disc brakes (where drums were the norm), showed that Daihatsu wasn't messing around. The large hood scoop and extra aero bits drove that point home. These highest-performing versions are rarer, but the ones that are out there aren't much more than the average kei car, making these another model worth importing.
1996 Daihatsu MOVE SR-XX
Daihatsu copied the same impressive 4-cylinder powertrain over from the MIRA to the MOVE, their larger kei car, with the goal of overtaking the more popular Suzuki Wagon R. That meant an 8,500 rpm redline, handling improvements and the option of front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive. It also got sportier looks, of course, and check out those seats! Peak 90s stuff right there. It also had the unique perk of a swing-out tailgate that its Suzuki rival didn't offer. These are harder to find as well, but even this pristine example pictured is only about $8,000 including import fees, so not much more than the others on this list. The second generation also debuted in 1998 with similar hardware if a slightly more rounded look is more your thing.
1998 Daihatsu Opti Beex
If hatchbacks and microvans aren't your thing, the Daihatsu Opti Beex offered the Mira underpinnings with a sedan shape. One benefit of this platform sharing was that the Opti was available in an Aerodown version with the same high-revving turbo 4-cylinder from the Mira, along with some of the same handling hardware like a lowered suspension, and slightly more aggressive aero. They also offered an Opti Classic with a bigger chrome grille, different lights and more chrome on the bumpers and other trim. All the perks of a kei car with a stately, pseudo-Jaguar look. It's a trend that was actually quite popular across Japan around this time. They even added a generous amount of fake wood to the interior, plus red seats, all for a classier vibe. What a time.
1998 Mitsubishi Minicab Truck
Our first list covered most of the cool kei trucks, but two were left out, the first one being the Mitsubishi Minicab. This was a really versatile model for Mitsubishi, with the company claiming that 66 variations were possible, including van versions. Like its competitors, it has a very handy dropside bed and can be had with 4-wheel-drive, perfect for light-duty hauling in Colorado. You'll want to seek out the rarer turbocharged version though if you plan to do any higher-elevation driving, with the standard 48 hp version likely not being much faster than hauling by pack-mule when that tiny engine is gasping for mountain air. These kei trucks have a strong cult following and have slightly higher prices than other kei cars, but are still very affordable.
1998 Daihatsu Midget II
The final kei car on this list is the slowest and probably the least cool, but with the spare mounted right on the nose and the old-fashioned round headlights, even this 33 hp basic truck has some charm to it. Hilariously, someone at Polyphony Digital thought it was worth including in the Gran Turismo 2 racing game back in the 90s, and anyone that remembers playing the game likely had the misfortune of having to do a race in one of these, which was about as exciting as watching paint dry. In the real world though, if you're looking for a basic little truck for low-speed, very light-duty hauling, this could be a fun option. They do seem to fetch similar money to the better kei trucks though, so the value might not be as strong here.
2025-05-19T01:40:53ZSources:Car From Japan, Bring A Trailer, Gran Turismo 2, Gran Turismo 6
