The eighth generation vehicle came in two-wheel and four-wheel drive. In the same generation, fully electric vehicles were also launched in the van version. The ninth generation cars were a cross between the truck and van versions which featured a semi-cab design. Minor changes were made to the Truck version, including a new front clip and a revised interior.
In the tenth generation, the Daihatsu Hijet only came in a van version, while the trucks from the previous generation continued until 2014. It underwent a redesign in 2017, which introduced a prominent trapezoidal grille.
Lastly, in 2021, the eleventh generation Hijet Cargo came forth as a 5-door panel van/van. It features the Daihatsu New Global Architecture in two gas engine variants. It comes in a 5-speed CVT transmission.
Let’s review all Daihatsu Hijet features separately below.
Driving Experience
Daihatsu trucks are known for their powerful driving performance depending on which vehicle you are opting for. Till 2004, the Daihatsu Hijet didn’t have a power steering, but overall, its performance on the road was quite good compared with similar vehicles.
The eleventh-generation models are available in many engine variants. It comes as a Kei truck, microvan, and light commercial vehicle. Moreover, it is available as a 2-door pickup/Kei truck, 4-door Kei truck, or a 5-door Kei van/panel van.
You can opt for a 658cc gas engine, 659cc gas engine, or a 998cc gas engine. The car has a 5-speed manual transmission, or you can opt for the 3 or 4-speed automatic transmission. The latest versions and the truck variant also have a continuously variable transmission.
The truck and van versions of the Hijet largely share the same engine. From 2007 onwards, the vehicles shifted to a more efficient KF engine, while earlier versions featured the EF-series engine.
Cabin and Interior
The Daihatsu Hijet has reasonable cabin space and a comfortable interior. If you’re up to 6 feet, you can comfortably sit behind the wheel. Anyone taller than that can find it difficult to adjust in the front. However, two people can easily adjust without problems.
The vehicle design on the interior can make some drivers feel too exposed, as the seating is quite close to the windscreen. This can especially be troublesome during motorway driving. Some short-heighted drivers can face a problem as the seats or steering wheel cannot be adjusted for reach or height.
Furthermore, the pickup cab comes fitted with a radio. However, the windows are manual. You’ll find a carpeted floor, head restraints, a glovebox, a locking fuel cap, and two-speed wipers. In the Hijet van, you can get reclining seats, heated rear windows, and a rear wash-wipe.
Other features in the vehicle include a radio, speedometer, heater, and fuel gauge. The materials and plastic used aren’t specifically high-quality, but it does get the job done effectively.
Ride and Handling
The Daihatsu Hijet is an easy-to-drive vehicle due to its small dimensions. You can take it out on narrow roads and turn small corners without a problem. It’s a good vehicle of choice to deal with traffic situations. Moreover, it is also easy to park in tough spots that seem unreachable with a regular car.
You will like the overall handling of the Daihatsu Hijet, and it gives a smooth ride on well-laid roads. Overtaking at high speed can make the vehicle feel pushed to the side, which is something you can adjust to with time. However, the steering could be a bit better. At lower speeds, it can feel heavy, but as you speed up, it starts to feel lighter.
Exterior
The Daihatsu Hijet clearly compromises the design over functionality. It isn’t in the league of attractively designed cars; however, it is quite a practical vehicle. The exterior may not be attractive, but it is sturdy and durable.
The car has a bulky appearance and gives off a boxed look. There are no striking design elements that would be visually appealing. However, the big windscreen and a thin grille help enhance the car’s overall look.
The Hijet sits on small 12-inch rims, which, given its height, looks out of proportion. Moreover, it has sliding rear doors and a roof-hinged tailgate, giving easy access to the load area of the vehicle.
Safety and Security
Regarding safety protection features, many notable safety specs are missing from the standard features on the 2004 Daihatsu Hijet. The driver and passenger airbags are optional, as well as brake assist.
Other safety features on the Hijet include power windows and steering, a centralized door lock, and a side impact bar. Overall, it has reasonable safety features, but there could be a lot more included as standard specifications.
The newer Hijet models, however, feature improved safety features by including the latest and much evolved Smart Assist. This means that the newer vehicles are fitted with crash-avoidance braking functions.
It also has an improved collision warning function. On MT models, you can find start prevention with brake control. Other new and improved safety functions include lane tracing alerts, lane departure prevention, traffic sign recognition, and adaptive driving beams.
Daihatsu Hijet Price
The Daihatsu Hijet is a utility vehicle that is practical and easy to drive. It comes in various body styles to suit specific needs. You can purchase a scissor dump to transport construction material, or you can go for a mini truck with a cargo bed to stock goods.
The Daihatsu Hijet ranges between $7000 and can go up to $22,500. You can easily find a wide variety of new and used Daihatsu Hijet in the USA through Minitruck Imports.
Things to Consider
The Daihatsu Hijet is a reasonably priced Kei truck that can be used for a variety of purposes. However, you should consider some things before opting for the vehicle. If you’re going to get a petrol engine, it will have to be serviced after every 6,000 miles. Chances are, with time, you can miss the maintenance.
Another thing to consider is the thin body panels on the older versions, which can become prone to rust quickly. You should pay attention to the bodywork if you are getting a used model.
Daihatsu Variants
Daihatsu was initially designed as a Kei truck specific to the Japanese market. It is most suitable to be driven on Japanese roads hence, the compact size and fuel-efficient engine of the car. However, there are other variants as well which are sold outside Japan. These are available with a 1.0 or 1.3-liter engine.
However, these cars do not fulfill the Kei cars criteria as they are longer and wider. For instance, the Hijet Citivan/Maxx is derived from the Hijet available in the Japanese market. However, it later became a separate model available in different engine variants. In 2002, the 1.6-liter engine was replaced by the 1.5-liter engine model.
In 2002, the Hijet Cargo Hybrid was also introduced as a hybrid electric van. It launched in Japan with a 660cc engine. It was branded as a mild hybrid design as it used an existing non-hybrid Hijet Cargo.
It’s different from other hybrid designs as it features the gas and electric components as one unit. One advantage of this model is its 30% more fuel efficiency than the gas-powered counterpart.
The hybrid minicars debuted as a concept minicar in 2002 but never made it to production as hybrid versions of other models were launched instead.
End Note
The Daihatsu Hijet is a promising vehicle for both individual and business use. It has undergone several changes over the years, largely due to its popularity all over the world. When choosing a Kei truck, make sure you’re making the right choice by considering your needs. Check out the extensive inventory at Mini Trucks Import to find the right vehicle.
