Buy the Right Kei Truck. Register It Legally. Skip the Headaches.
Laws vary wildly. Importers vary even more. We've done the research so you don't have to: verified legality guides for all 50 states, honest model comparisons, and dealers we actually trust.
22
Models Compared
50
State Law Guides
42+
Verified Dealers
$5K–$15K
Typical Price Range
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Which Kei Truck Is Right for You?
Farm work, off road, daily driver, or just hauling stuff. There's a model for every job. Here's how they stack up.
#1 most popularSuzuki Carry: Complete Guide
1969-Present
$5,000 - $15,000
View specs →
#2 most popularHonda Acty: Complete Guide
1977-2021
$6,000 - $18,000
View specs →
#3 most popularDaihatsu Hijet: Complete Guide
1960-Present
$5,500 - $16,000
View specs →
Subaru Sambar: Complete Guide
1961-Present
$6,000 - $18,000
View specs →
Mitsubishi Minicab: Complete Guide
1966-Present
$5,000 - $14,000
View specs →
Mazda Scrum: Complete Guide
1989-Present
$5,000 - $12,000
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Nissan Clipper: Complete Guide
2003-Present
$6,000 - $14,000
View specs →
Toyota Pixis Truck: Complete Guide
2011-Present
Not Yet Importable
View specs →
Suzuki Every: Complete Guide
1982-Present
$4,000 - $8,000
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Honda Vamos: Complete Guide
1999-2018
$6,000 - $12,000
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Daihatsu Atrai: Complete Guide
1981-Present
$5,000 - $10,000
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Honda Beat: Complete Guide to the PP1 Kei Roadster
1991-1996
$6,000 - $20,000
View specs →
Suzuki Cappuccino: Complete Guide to the EA11R and EA21R
1991-1998
$6,000 - $25,000
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Autozam AZ-1: Complete Guide to the Gullwing Kei Supercar
1992-1995
$20,000 - $40,000
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Mitsubishi Pajero Mini: Complete Guide to the Kei SUV
1994-2012
$4,000 - $10,000
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Suzuki Jimny: Complete Guide to the Kei 4x4 Legend
1970-Present
$7,000 - $25,000
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Daihatsu Copen: Complete Guide to Japan's Tiny Convertible Sports Car
2002-present
$8,000 - $25,000
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Honda S660: Complete Guide to Honda's Mid Engine Kei Roadster
2015-2022
$25,000 - $55,000 (grey market)
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Suzuki Alto Works: Complete Guide to Japan's Kei Hot Hatch Legend
1987-2000
$5,000 - $18,000
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Subaru Vivio RX-R: Complete Guide to the Supercharged Kei Rally Legend
1992-1998
$4,000 - $12,000
View specs →
Daihatsu Midget II: Complete Guide to the Single Seat Micro Truck
1996-2001
$8,000 - $25,000
View specs →
Honda N-Van: Complete Guide to Honda's Modern Kei Workhorse
2018-present
$15,000 - $30,000 (Japan new) / Not yet importable
View specs →Three Steps to Your First Kei Truck
You don't need to become an import expert. Just follow the path.
Check Your State
Confirm kei trucks are legal where you live. We cover all 50 states with verified, up to date registration rules.
Get Started →2Pick Your Truck
Compare models side by side. Every spec, common issue, and price range laid out so you know exactly what you're getting.
Get Started →3Find Your Truck
Browse kei trucks for sale from verified dealers. Real prices, real photos, and every spec you need to pull the trigger.
Get Started →Is It Legal in Your State?
Laws change fast. Some states are banning kei trucks that were legal last year. Find out where yours stands before you buy.
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Guides That Save You Time and Money
Kei Truck Auction Prices Fall 2026: What 1,948 Real Japanese Sales Reveal
The median kei truck hammered for ¥124,000 at Japanese auction this summer. That's about $810. Fresh data from 1,948 recorded sales shows what every model actually sells for, why the Sambar is two markets in one, and how the weak yen is quietly cutting your price.
The Kei Truck Tool Kit: Every Tool You Actually Need to Wrench on a Japanese Mini Truck
Your American toolbox will strip screws and round bolts on a Japanese kei truck. Here is the exact kei truck tool kit to build instead: JIS screwdrivers, the right metric sockets, the spark plug socket trap, and about $400 of gear that covers 95 percent of jobs.
We Checked All 50 State Kei Laws Again: Zero Flips, Four Changes Worth Knowing
We checked kei truck legality in all 50 states against official sources in September 2026. No state changed status, but Alaska has a paperwork catch, Kentucky quietly cut ownership costs, and Tennessee added a 2027 registration requirement.
Watch Before You Buy
He Bought a 1991 Subaru Sambar Sight Unseen, Then Drove It 1,000 Miles Home
reallyanti
reallyanti bought a 1991 Subaru Sambar KS4 from Japan, picked it up fresh off the boat, and immediately drove it 1,000 miles home. It sounds reckless. It might be the smartest first move a kei truck importer can make.
BYD Racco Test Drive: Japan's First Chinese Kei EV Under the Microscope
EVsmart
EVsmart spent 48 minutes tearing down the BYD Racco 300 Premium: ride quality, 49 kW fast charging, rear seat space, and a gripe list short enough to worry Suzuki. Here is what the first detailed Racco test drive tells us.
Why Smart Buyers Are Choosing Kei Trucks
Half the Price of a Used Tacoma
Quality 4WD trucks starting under $5,000. A fraction of what you'd pay for a used pickup.
Learn More →Goes Where Full-Size Trucks Can't
4WD with low range, 770lb payload, fits through any gate. Narrow trails, tight barns, steep grades.
Learn More →Fix It Yourself with Basic Tools
No computers, no subscriptions, no $200 dealer diagnostics. Simple engines you can actually work on.
Learn More →Never Miss a Law Change or Deal Alert
State laws are changing fast. Get weekly updates on law changes, new models hitting the 25-year mark, and price drops from verified dealers.
Buy from a Dealer You Can Trust
Every dealer in our directory has been vetted. No scammy importers, no ghost inventory, no surprises.