What Are Japanese Kei Cars? | TOC Automotive College

The Japanese automotive industry has long captivated car enthusiasts worldwide. Enthusiasts like automotive college students are fascinated by high-performance and luxury models. Interestingly, tiny Japanese kei cars have also earned that same fascination, but why?

Kei cars are the smallest passenger cars allowed on Japanese roads. They’re called ‘kei’ cars because they fit into the special keijidosha category that places maximum sizes for those cars. Not only are these cars tiny and affordable, but they’re easy to drive and park. Better yet, they’re entitled to plenty of tax and insurance benefits and road rule exemptions.

You’ll learn everything there is to know about kei cars in this guide. As you read through the following sections, you’ll discover what they are, how they came to be, and why people love them so much in Japan and beyond.

What Is A Japanese Kei Car?

The term ‘Kei’ refers to a specific size category for Japanese cars. More specifically, Kei cars are the smallest passenger cars allowed on Japanese roads.

The size of Kei cars is regulated by the Japanese government and must fit these measurements:

Maximum of 3.4 meters in length
Maximum of 1.48 meters in width
Maximum of 2 meters in height
Maximum displacement of 0.66 litre

The Japanese government has made very few changes to those specifications over the decade. That’s because kei cars fit the unique needs of Japanese car buyers and must therefore maintain their incredibly compact sizes.

Don’t let the term ‘kei car’ fool you, as the category includes more than just passenger vehicles. You can also find vans and commercial trucks considered kei cars or vehicles.

With the advent of electric cars, you’ll also find EVs that fall under the kei category.

The term ‘kei’ is short for keijidosha, a Japanese word that translates to ‘light automobile’ in English. That term is more than fitting for these kinds of cars. However, as you can see from the specifications listed above, that term might somewhat understate how compact these cars are.

Kei cars are unique to Japan because that’s where the classification exists. However, other parts of the world have similar classifications for their smallest vehicles, like the A-segment cars in the European Union.

Another reason they’re pretty popular is due to auto enthusiasts and their fascination for Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles.

The History Of Japanese Kei Cars

Kei cars have been around for several decades. They became a thing around World War II when the Japanese government first created the category as a practical measure.

In the period after the war, the nation had plenty of raw materials that could be used to make cars. Simultaneously, the Japanese public had a solid demand for reliable and affordable vehicles.

By creating the kei car category, the Japanese government achieved a win-win situation. Excess materials could be put to good use while fulfilling the needs of the public.

The government went a few steps further and included incentives to encourage the adoption of kei cars. For instance, they included tax benefits that made owning a kei car more affordable for drivers.

Aside from the financial benefits, kei cars also came with other exemptions on road rules. For example, Japanese car buyers must prove they can access adequate parking before purchasing a vehicle.

However, kei cars in some parts of Japan are exempted from that requirement.

Thanks to the combination of the advantages listed above, kei cars have become a popular option for Japanese buyers. By extension, they’ve also become incredibly popular overseas among buyers with an intense fascination for Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles.

Why Are Japanese Kei Cars So Popular?

People unfamiliar with kei cars might be confused by why these vehicles are so popular with Japanese and international buyers. That’s especially true when people realise these cars offer neither high performance, luxury, nor prestige.

Instead, here are the top 5 reasons why Japanese kei cars are so beloved in Japan and beyond:

1. Uniquely Japanese

Studying in an automobile college will teach you about cars being built in different parts of the world. Japanese car manufacturers are among them, including those that produce only Japanese Domestic Market or JDM cars.

JDM cars come in all shapes and sizes, catering to the preferences of many different enthusiasts.

However, some are fascinated by the kei car’s compact size and practicality, even going as far as importing kei models to their countries and modifying them heavily.

2. Easy To Park And Drive

Of course, the kei car’s appeal is not just because it’s Japanese. One thing that many people appreciate about it is the small form factor. Being so compact makes kei cars incredibly easy to manoeuvre on the road and park.

Japanese buyers are particularly fond of these benefits because they save space, so owning a kei car is incredibly efficient and practical.

3. Easy To Maintain

Kei cars are also straightforward to maintain, giving their owners peace of mind. Parts replacement and mechanical repairs are also straightforward and affordable, at least for those who own kei cars inside of Japan (getting their spare parts overseas might be a challenge).

4. Eco-Friendly

The small size of a kei car also means it has a small engine. That, plus the efficiency of Japanese engine design, means that kei cars are very eco-friendly.

That’s especially true with newer electric versions of kei cars with no harmful emissions.

5. Affordability

Lastly, kei cars are popular because they are affordable at all stages of owning them. Firstly, kei cars are cheaper than larger passenger or commercial vehicles to buy from the dealership.

As you’ve read earlier, their spare parts and repairs are more affordable.

But best of all, kei cars enjoy plenty of benefits regarding road tax, insurance, and other incentives.

In other words, when you buy a kei car, you save money every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

Kei cars are a perfect example of how automotive life can be different and interesting across the world. You can learn more about cars and car culture by visiting TOC Automotive College’s official website. They’re Malaysia’s best automotive college, and its website has plenty of articles discussing things going on in the world of cars.