It’s a question we get asked often by our customers, and a totally valid concern. We joke that kei trucks are not comfortable at any size. They’re spartan vehicles of utility and we love them for that! But, for the sake of answering this question for all of you, we borrowed our tallest colleague, Ben, to do some size testing. Standing at 194 cm (6'4"), Ben provides a detailed comparison of various kei truck models based on his experience in the driver’s seat.
Can you guess which truck is the roomiest?
Ben reports a very tight fit. His knees touch the dashboard, making it difficult to operate both the steering wheel and the shifter. Headroom is also a concern, with his head almost touching the roof but clearing.
Verdict: Tight fit but still drivable, best to use for short trips only.
This one is more spacious than many other trucks we evaluated, especially the previous generation Acty. Ben’s knees do not touch the dashboard, and there is ample room to use the steering wheel and shifter. Headroom is not an issue, and there is a bit of room to push the seat back.
Honda did an excellent job increasing cabin space and legroom in this generation by moving the front wheels forward, ahead of the cabin. This resulted in a clear increase in interior space and precious legroom, as confirmed by Ben today.
Verdict: Good truck for tall people, could drive this one around daily.
Click here to check out or Honda Acty trucks in stock today!
Unfortunately, the cabin is a very tight space. Ben’s knees touch the dashboard, and maneuvering the steering wheel and shifter is challenging. The headroom is no issue though, with plenty of space to spare.
Verdict: Drivable but a very tight experience. Best for short trips.
Ben’s Knees are close to the dashboard but not touching it. There is ample room to use the steering wheel and shifter, and the headroom is tight but not restrictive.
Just like the HA7 Honda Acty, Suzuki also lengthened the wheelbase on the Carry in 1999 which allowed for a roomier cabin and easier entry and exit. A great option for taller kei truck drivers.
Verdict: Snug fit but totally drivable
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Knees do not touch the dashboard, providing enough space to use the steering wheel safely. Plenty of headroom.
Verdict: Still tight but not impossible to drive.
There is no way for Ben to avoid his knees touching the dashboard on this one. There is limited room to operate the steering wheel or shifter as a result. The headroom is tight but acceptable. Accessing the door handle to exit the vehicle is difficult due to the cramped space with his leg touching the door.
Unfortunately, the wheels being positioned directly below the driver’s seat makes the cabin quite cramped. The TT2 is an exceptional kei truck and known as the farmer’s Porsche due to its unique rear engine layout, but best for people under 6ft tall.
Verdict: Worst option for tall people, incredibly tight and potentially dangerous due to the door handle situation.
Click here to check out or Subaru Sambar trucks in stock today!
The Minicab is quite roomy compared to other models. There is plenty of space to get in and out, with knees not touching the dashboard. Also, there are no issues with accessing the steering wheel, shifter, or hand brake, which is located on the door-side instead of the center console.
Mitsubishi did a fantastic job packaging the cabin on this generation. Similar to the Honda and Suzuki, they moved the wheels in front of the cabin. Additionally, the seats are positioned closer to the center of the vehicle, which leaves a lot of space for getting in and out of the vehicle.
Verdict: Best option for tall mini truck drivers. Easy to enter and exit, plenty of room for driving.
Click here to check out or Mitsubishi Minicab trucks in stock today!
Tight but ample space. Ben can operate the vehicle normally without pain or discomfort. Knees are close to the dashboard but not touching it. Allowing adjusting the height of the steering column would improve comfort.
Verdict: Drives and fits like a modern economy car, easy for daily use.
Ben reports the same fit as the regular cab, tight but ample space. Easy to access pedals and steering wheel. There is an option to lean back more, but it is not required for comfortable driving.
Verdict: Not a huge improvement over the regular cab, very comfortable to drive as far as kei trucks go.
Click here to check out or Daihatsu Hijet trucks in stock today!
For taller individuals, the U62T Mitsubishi Minicab stands out as the most comfortable option among the tested kei trucks. The TT2 Subaru Sambar seems to be the tightest fit among the trucks in our fit test. Other models are usable by tall people, but present some challenges in terms of cabin space and maneuverability. When choosing a kei truck, it's essential to consider these factors to ensure a comfortable driving experience. Contact us today if you’re interested in a kei truck from Japan, and we’ll be sure to find you the right fit.
