Daihatsu’s $10K Retro Kei Box Lets You Customize It Like A Sneaker

Both the Daihatsu Move and Move Canbus gain improved safety tech and a digital cluster, while the Canbus adds fresh mix-and-match trims

Daihatsu has pushed out a round of quiet model-year updates for two of its kei vans in Japan, the Move and the Move Canbus. Both pick up tech and safety improvements, while the retro-styled Move Canbus gains a wider spread of customization options that let owners get far more particular about how the car looks inside and out.

The new Interior Selection editions let buyers mix and match the exterior and interior themes of special Move Canbus trims. They can combine the vibrant bi-tone exterior of the Stripes line with the dark brown and blue cabin of the Theory line, or go the other way and pair the monochrome Theory exterior with the white and turquoise interior from the Stripes.

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Along with the new color combinations, Daihatsu has introduced two optional styling packages. The Urban Grace Style is built for the Stripes Interior Selection, adding chrome accents on the hood, tailgate, and mirror caps, plus dark brown and black seat covers in the cabin.

Daihatsu Move Canbus

Meanwhile, the Retro Pop Style equips the Move Canbus Theory Interior Selection with gunmetal inserts and chrome emblems on the exterior, and marble-look Ceramic Green inserts inside. Finally, the color palette is expanded with the addition of the Smooth Grey / Grace Brown bi-tone shade for the Stripes model, and the Ceramic Green for the Theory trim.

The company didn’t announce any changes for the regular Move, which is still fresh on the market. That version of the kei van arrived in mid-2025 after a two-year delay. The current second-generation Move Canbus, by contrast, has run unchanged since mid-2022.

Improved Safety

For the new model year, both kei cars gain an upgraded Smart Assist active safety suite that brings them level with recently facelifted offerings from rival brands. The system can spot crossing cyclists, oncoming vehicles when turning right at intersections, and pedestrians crossing during left or right turns.

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Daihatsu engineers also refined the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Control (LKC) systems for smoother responses, extended detection range, and reduced vehicle swaying within the lane. Furthermore, the maximum speed threshold for pedestrian detection has been raised from 60 km/h (37 mph) to 80 km/h (50 mph).

Daihatsu Move Canbus

Another highlight is the Active Multi-Information Meter, which replaces the analog dials and follows the lead of the recently updated Daihatsu Taft, Atrai, Hijet Cargo, and Hijet Truck models in the automaker’s kei lineup. The steering wheel buttons have also been reconfigured for easier use.

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Predictably, there are no changes under the hood, where we find the brand’s familiar 660cc gasoline engine. It comes naturally aspirated with 51 hp (38 kW / 52 PS), while the flagship turbocharged version makes 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS). Power reaches the front or all four wheels (4WD) exclusively through a CVT gearbox.

The revised Daihatsu Move Canbus is already available to order in Japan, priced between ¥1,644,500 and ¥2,084,500 ($10,000-$12,700). The updated Move ranges from ¥1,369,500 to ¥2,073,500 ($8,400-$12,700) depending on the configuration.

Daihatsu Move