Suzuki e-Every

The Suzuki e-Every is being marketed as the company's first-ever electric vehicle (EV) kei car available to the public. However, it's important to note that this isn't truly their first of its kind, as it has similarities to the e-Hijet Cargo from its longtime rival, Daihatsu.

2027 Suzuki e-Every

The Suzuki e-Every is a business-friendly vehicle that starts at 3,146,000 yen and is available in either a 2-seater or 4-seater configuration. It is equipped with Daihatsu's e-SMART ELECTRIC system, which features a power supply unit and lithium-ion battery located in the center of the vehicle, while the e-axle powers the rear wheels. This system delivers 47 kW of power, 126 Nm of torque, and offers a driving range of up to 257 km. Charging time is approximately 6 to 12 hours at home or about 50 minutes at public fast-charging stations.

In terms of drivability, the Suzuki e-Every provides a comfortable riding experience, even when carrying heavy loads. It is notably quiet and stable, offering a flat driving feel that enhances overall comfort and reduces fatigue. Additionally, it comes with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability, which can be beneficial during power outages.

The e-Every also features Smart Assist, which includes 14 advanced active safety features to ensure road safety.

While it may seem unusual for Suzuki to reach out to its long-time competitor, Daihatsu, for the e-Hijet Cargo to be used in the e-Every, this collaboration offers a solution for those who prefer the e-Hijet Cargo but can only access a Suzuki dealership. Could this mark a truce between the two?

Available colors: Leather Blue Crystal Shine (4-seater only), White, and Bright Silver Metallic.

Photo: Suzuki Motor Corporation

Daihatsu e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai

Daihatsu may be late to the EV market, but their first-ever e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai are proof that Daihatsu is embracing the trend of electrification.

2026 Daihatsu e-Hijet Cargo and 2026 Daihatsu e-Atrai

The business-friendly e-Hijet Cargo starts at 3,146,000 Yen, while the casual-oriented e-Atrai begins at 3,465,000 Yen, plus additional costs. Although both models are similar to the standard Atrai and Hijet kei vans that were introduced five years ago, they stand out due to their electric powertrains.

The e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai are equipped with Daihatsu's first-ever e-SMART ELECTRIC system. In this setup, the power supply unit and lithium-ion battery are positioned in the middle of the vehicle, while the e-axle powers the rear wheels. This system generates 47 kW of power, 126 Nm of torque, and provides a driving range of up to 257 km. Charging time is approximately 6 to 12 hours at home, or about 50 minutes at public fast-charging stations.

In terms of drivability, both the e-Atrai and e-Hijet Cargo offer a comfortable riding experience, even when carrying heavy luggage. They are notably quiet, stable, and provide a flat driving feel, enhancing overall comfort and reducing fatigue. Additionally, they come equipped with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability, which can be useful during power outages.

Like their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts, the e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai feature Smart Assist, which includes 14 advanced active safety features to ensure safety on the road.

With the first-ever e-Hijet Cargo and e-Atrai, Daihatsu has joined the list of carmakers embracing the electrification route, although some say it's a little too late for this. Still, it's better late than never for Daihatsu to showcase to the Japanese public how these kei EV vans can be used for business and leisure. The more you know.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Toyota launches Hijet-based Pixis Truck and Pixis Van

2012 Toyota Pixis Truck

2012 Toyota Pixis Van

Based on the Daihatsu Hijet Truck and Daihatsu Hijet Cargo, the new Toyota Pixis Truck and Pixis Van is their latest addition of Toyota's new Pixis kei-car sub-brand. These two models are focused solely for small business owners by any means.

Firstly, the new Toyota Pixis Truck and Pixis Van are powered by a 658cc engine that produces 50PS of power and 64Nm of torque in manual transmission variants while automatic transmission variants produce 53PS of power.

Fuel economy for the Toyota Pixis Van 2WD MT is 17.0km/L 10-15 while the Toyota Pixis Van 2WD AT is 16.4km/L 10-15. The Pixis Truck's fuel economy is 18.2km/L 10-15.

Press Release: http://www2.toyota.co.jp/en/news/11/12/1201.html