Japanese Kei cars come in all shapes, and even if their sizes are largely dictated by the regulations to which they’re made to conform, some are more spacious than others. Like the Daihatsu Move, for example.
The tall wagon with the small footprint was first introduced in 1995 with a design penned by the inimitable Giorgetto Giugiaro. Every four years or so, though, Daihatsu comes out with a new version. And this is the latest.
Updated for 2018, the new Move is based on the sixth-generation model released late in 2014, but benefits from revised styling – both inside and out – and enhanced equipment.
LED headlights, a new grille, and reprofiled bumper characterize the front end, new graphics update the taillights, there are new wheel options, the interior ergonomics have been optimized, there’s a new low-speed emergency braking system with pedestrian detection, and a wide-view camera system.
All the new features are packed into a shape that, by classification, is just 11 feet long and 4.8 feet wide, but unlike most Kei cars, stretches nearly five and a half feet upwards. That may not seem very tall, but already higher than it is wide, it couldn’t get much taller without toppling over.
Motivation comes from a tiny 660cc engine, available in naturally aspirated or turbocharged forms, driving either the front wheels or all four exclusively through a CVT (the manual option having long since been discontinued). Buyers can choose between a variety of trim levels, with prices in Japan ranging from 1,112,400 yen (equivalent to barely more than $10k) to 1,749,600 (under $16k).
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