Suzuki Carry vs Daihatsu Hijet: Which Kei Truck Should You Buy?
The two most popular kei trucks go head to head. We compare the Suzuki Carry and Daihatsu Hijet on specs, pricing, parts, and real world capability to help you choose.
TL;DR: The Suzuki Carry and Daihatsu Hijet are the two most commonly imported kei trucks in the US, and honestly, you cannot go wrong with either one. The Carry wins on aftermarket support and name recognition. The Hijet wins on factory options: jumbo cab, dump bed, and a turbo that feels a touch more refined. If you are modding the truck, buy the Carry. If you want more factory features out of the box, buy the Hijet. Both are dirt cheap to own and dead simple to maintain.
This is the Toyota vs Chevy argument of the kei truck world. Both the Carry and the Hijet are front engine, rear wheel drive workhorses with decades of production history, identical payload ratings, and nearly identical bed dimensions. The differences are real but subtle, and which one is "better" depends entirely on what you plan to do with it.
Quick Specs Comparison
| Specification | Suzuki Carry | Daihatsu Hijet |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 660cc F6A/K6A 3-cylinder | 659cc EF-SE/KF-VE 3-cylinder |
| Power (NA) | 36-50 hp | 38-53 hp |
| Turbo available | Yes (up to 64 hp) | Yes (EF-DET, up to 64 hp) |
| Torque | 42-46 lb-ft | 42-48 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual / 3-speed auto | 5-speed manual / 4-speed auto / CVT |
| Drivetrain | RWD or part time 4WD | RWD or part time 4WD |
| Engine placement | Front (under seat) | Front (under seat) |
| Payload | 770 lbs (350 kg) | 770 lbs (350 kg) |
| Bed dimensions | 78" L x 54" W | 78" L x 54" W (standard), 72" L x 54" W (jumbo) |
| Curb weight | 1,500-1,700 lbs | 1,550-1,750 lbs |
| Fuel economy | 35-45 mpg | 34-44 mpg |
| Price range | $5,000-$15,000 | $5,500-$16,000 |
| Production | 1969-Present | 1960-Present |
On paper, these trucks are almost twins. Same engine layout, same payload, same bed size, same 4WD system. Use our interactive comparison tool to compare these specs with other models side by side. The differences only emerge when you start looking at the details, and the details matter when you are spending $7,000-$12,000 on a 25+ year old Japanese work truck.
Engine & Drivetrain
Both trucks mount their engines under the driver's seat in a conventional front engine layout. Both use 660cc three cylinder motors. Both offer naturally aspirated and turbocharged variants. Both mate to a 5-speed manual (the correct choice) or an automatic. The basic architecture is nearly identical. These are kei class trucks built to the same regulations, after all.
The Carry's 1990s era F6A engine makes 36-42 hp, and the later K6A bumps that to 46-50 hp with its DOHC head. The Hijet's equivalent era EF-SE makes 38-42 hp, and the newer KF-VE produces 48-53 hp with variable valve timing (DVVT). The Hijet's KF-VE engine has a slight power edge over the Carry's K6A, about 3 hp in naturally aspirated form, but you will not feel the difference from the driver's seat. Both turbo variants hit the 64 hp kei maximum and feel essentially identical at full boost.
Where the Hijet offers something the Carry does not is transmission variety. Beyond the standard 5-speed manual and slushbox auto, later Hijet models offered a CVT. This sounds appealing on paper but comes with a strong warning: the CVT units are less durable than the manual gearbox and can be expensive to repair. The kei truck community consensus, echoed extensively on r/keitruck, is to avoid the CVT and buy a 5-speed manual. This applies to both brands.
The 4WD systems are functionally identical: part time engagement via a floor lever with selectable low range. Both work well. Neither has an advantage here. For setup guidance on either truck, see our off road mods guide.
Winner: Tie. The Hijet's KF-VE has a marginal power advantage, but it is not enough to matter in daily use. Both turbo models hit 64 hp. Both 4WD systems work the same way.
Bed Size & Payload
Standard cab models are dead even: 78" x 54" beds, 770 lb payload capacity, drop flat tailgates. You will not find a meaningful difference in cargo capacity between a standard cab Carry and a standard cab Hijet. Both accept standard pallets lengthwise and both have similar bed floor heights.
The Hijet pulls ahead with two factory options the Carry does not offer.
First, the jumbo cab. Daihatsu offered the Hijet with an extended cab that pushes the roof rearward, adding real headroom and a more comfortable seating position. The tradeoff is a shorter bed (72" instead of 78"), but for taller American buyers who find standard kei truck cabs cramped, the jumbo cab is a meaningful quality of life upgrade. The Carry has no equivalent factory option.
Second, the factory dump bed. While both trucks can be fitted with aftermarket hydraulic dump kits (see our dump bed guide), Daihatsu offered factory installed dump beds on the Hijet. Factory dump beds are better integrated, more reliable, and easier to maintain than aftermarket conversions. They also command a $2,000-$4,000 premium, which tells you how much buyers value them. If you specifically want a dump truck, the Hijet with a factory dump bed is the move. Goo-net Exchange is a good place to search for dump equipped Hijets in Japanese inventory.
Winner: Hijet. The jumbo cab and factory dump bed options give it genuine advantages that the Carry cannot match from the factory. If you are buying a standard cab flatbed, it is a tie.
Parts & Reliability
The Suzuki Carry has the deepest parts ecosystem of any kei truck. The F6A and K6A engines are shared across the Carry, Every van, and Alto car, creating a massive pool of interchangeable components. Dedicated suppliers like Oiwa Garage stock Carry specific parts. The aftermarket for lift kits, bumpers, wheels, and lighting is the largest in the kei truck world. If you plan to build your truck up with modifications, the Carry's parts availability is a real advantage.
The Hijet's parts situation is strong but structured differently. Daihatsu has been a Toyota subsidiary since 1967 (fully absorbed in 2016), which means some Hijet components share part numbers with Toyota's global parts catalog. This can actually make certain maintenance items easier to source than equivalent Carry parts, depending on what you need. OEM parts are available through Amayama, and Megazip is useful for part number lookups on both trucks. The Hijet aftermarket for bolt on accessories is growing but still trails the Carry's.
On reliability, both trucks have well documented weak points. The Carry's F6A engine has a known distributor failure issue, and both Carry engines are prone to water pump weep. The Hijet's EF-SE engine has a reputation for head gasket failures, a more serious issue that can lead to overheating and engine damage if not caught early. The Hijet's stock alternator is also undersized and failure prone. Both trucks need timing belt replacement at 100,000 km (both are interference engines). Review our pre purchase checklist before buying either one.
The Carry's issues are generally cheaper and easier to fix. The Hijet's head gasket problem is more expensive and more consequential. For sourcing maintenance parts on either platform, see our kei truck parts guide.
Winner: Carry. Larger aftermarket, more interchangeable components, and less severe known issues. The Hijet's Toyota parts cross referencing is a nice perk, but the Carry's overall ecosystem is deeper.
Pricing & Value
These two trucks compete directly on price, with the Carry holding a slight edge at most configurations.
| Configuration | Suzuki Carry | Daihatsu Hijet |
|---|---|---|
| 1990s 2WD, standard cab | $5,000-$7,000 | $5,500-$7,500 |
| 1990s 4WD, good condition | $7,000-$10,000 | $7,500-$10,500 |
| 1990s 4WD, jumbo cab | N/A | $9,000-$12,000 |
| 1999-2001 4WD, low mileage | $10,000-$15,000 | $11,000-$16,000 |
| Turbo models | +$1,000-$3,000 | +$1,500-$3,000 |
| Dump bed models | Aftermarket only | +$2,000-$4,000 (factory) |
The Carry is typically $500-$1,500 cheaper than the equivalent Hijet, but the gap is smaller than the Carry vs Honda Acty comparison. At Japanese auctions, the Hijet can actually be cheaper than the Carry because Hijets are produced in higher volume, so there are simply more of them available. By the time the trucks land in the US and hit dealer lots, the pricing largely equalizes.
Both trucks are available through major importers like Duncan Imports and Japanese Classics. The Hijet's high production volume means you will generally find more options in inventory at any given time. Cross reference asking prices with Hagerty's valuation tools to make sure you are paying fair market value. Browse our dealer directory for importers near you.
Winner: Tie. The Carry is marginally cheaper in the US, but the Hijet is more plentiful at auction. The difference is small enough that condition and mileage matter more than brand.
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the Suzuki Carry if:
You plan to modify the truck. The Carry's aftermarket is unmatched: more lift kits, more bumpers, more wheel options, more accessories. If building a trail rig or a show truck is part of the plan, the Carry gives you the most to work with. The Carry is also the badge engineering king: the same truck is sold as the Mazda Scrum and Nissan Clipper, so you can sometimes find a deal on a rebadged Carry at a lower price. If you are buying your first kei truck and want the safest, most well supported option, start here. Verify your state allows road registration before buying.
Buy the Daihatsu Hijet if:
You want factory features that the Carry does not offer. The jumbo cab is a real advantage for taller drivers, and the factory dump bed is the best dump option on any kei truck. The Hijet is also the better choice if you are importing directly from Japan, since higher production volume means more options at auction and potentially lower purchase prices. If you value the Toyota parts ecosystem and want the peace of mind that comes with a Toyota subsidiary's quality control, the Hijet delivers. For a walkthrough of the import process, check our import guide.
For either truck: buy a 5-speed manual with 4WD. Avoid the CVT. Get a compression test and cooling system pressure test before purchasing. Budget $500-$1,000 for immediate maintenance items (timing belt if unknown, fluids, filters, tires). Both trucks make outstanding farm vehicles, capable trail rigs, and efficient property haulers.
The Bottom Line
The Suzuki Carry and Daihatsu Hijet are the Coke and Pepsi of kei trucks. Both are reliable, affordable, capable work trucks that will haul 770 lbs, sip fuel at 35+ mpg, and fit in spaces that would make a full size pickup laugh. The Carry has a larger aftermarket and slightly cheaper pricing. The Hijet has the jumbo cab, factory dump bed, and Toyota backed parts.
If forced to pick one, take the Carry for its aftermarket depth. The ability to bolt on a lift kit, bumper, and wheels without hunting for parts is worth a lot over years of ownership. But if you find a clean Hijet jumbo cab 4WD at a fair price, do not hesitate. You are splitting hairs between two excellent trucks. Spend your energy finding a clean example with low kilometers and documented maintenance history rather than agonizing over the badge on the grille. The r/keitruck subreddit has real ownership reports on both if you want more perspectives.
