Kei trucks are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. As the appeal for these unique vehicles increases, you might be asking yourself, “is it time to buy a Kei truck?” Well, there are plenty of reasons why you should–or shouldn’t–cave in to the mini truck hype. In this post, I will be going over the pros and cons of kei trucks. If you’re interested in owning one of these unique vehicles in the future, then keep on reading!
The Pros
Kei Trucks are Versatile
Whether you need a farm vehicle or a little something to take off-roading, the Kei truck has you covered. Due to its compact size, this tiny utility truck can be easily stored, parked, or transported on a trailer. Generally, the Kei truck features a surprisingly spacious flatbet, allowing you to store or transport anything you desire.
The Kei truck is perfect for commercial purposes for its versatility and affordability. Half of these vehicles are all-wheel drive, making it possible to cross fields or dirt roads while transporting tools or goods. Furthermore, these tiny yet tough mini trucks typically have a payload capacity of 400 to 1,400lbs! Aside from work, Kei trucks can also have their fair share of fun. The flatbeds make it possible to transport surfboards or bicycles. They can be easily customized to suit your needs, which will be further discussed in a later section.
An Affordable Option
Used pickup trucks are purchased typically because a business or an individual needs a versatile utility vehicle. There is no shortage of standard pickup trucks like the Dodge Ram, Ford F-150, or Toyota Tacoma. Despite this, they can be quite costly. In today’s American car market, used pickup trucks are just as expensive as new vehicles. In fact, the average cost of a used pickup truck is somewhere around $37,000. You might as well buy a 2023 Ford Maverick for a little bit less than that. But not all of us can even afford (or are willing to shell out money for) a standard pickup truck.
Another factor to consider when purchasing a vehicle is the fuel economy. As of August 10, 2023, AAA urged drivers to be prepared for higher gas prices in the future due to a higher demand and a tighter supply. Just last year, we experienced some of the highest average gas prices. Those who own larger trucks often pay $75 or more to fill up.
The Kei truck is a more affordable option to help alleviate the cost overall. These trucks can be purchased for somewhere around $6,000 to $10,000. Although the mini truck isn’t the most fuel-efficient option in the market, it can still boast an average of 36.7mpg.
Kei Trucks are an Eye-Catching Blank Canvas
In the United States, we are so used to seeing gargantuan-sized trucks on the road. This is why Kei trucks often catch curious stares from onlookers. Mini trucks are designed for the Japanese market and are thus made to navagate through narrow, urban roads. It doesn’t matter what kind of condition it’s in; people will still ask about it.
Most Kei trucks are often produced and released in the color white. Those involved in Japan’s car culture have already sought opportunities to make these blank canvases into pieces of art. From drifting to off-roading, the Kei truck customization possibilities are endless. You can add roll cages, tracks, lights, you name it! And if you need a little bit of inspiration, check out this hot pink Kei truck drift build! If you’re looking for a vehicle that’ll grab people’s attention, then you’ll have a fun time with a Kei truck.
The Cons
Restrictions and Bans Imposed on Kei Trucks
Politicians always ruin the fun things in life, and unfortunately, they’re going after Kei trucks. Regulations regarding Kei trucks have been mostly left up to the states. Importing a Kei truck to the United States is only one part of the battle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is a federal agency, a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards). This means that any vehicle that is under 25 years old must comply with FMVSS. Another federal regulation worthy of mentioning is the fact that driving Kei trucks on the Interstate is illegal (but you don’t want to drive one of those on a high-speed road anyways).
States have imposed the most bans and/or restrictions on Kei trucks. States that have completely banned the operation of mini trucks on public roads include: Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, and Vermont. That’s a whopping total of sixteen out of fifty states. The remaining states still have some sort of restrictions in place, so it’s best to check your state’s laws before you decide to purchase a Kei truck. The states that have Kei truck-friendly laws are Arizona, California, Indiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Kei Truck was Not Made for Everyone
If you’re tall, you might not fit comfortably inside a Kei truck. These vehicles were designed to be compact, however they were also designed to be able to transport a lot of items in the flatbed. Although mini trucks typically have a six-foot bed, the cabin size had to be sacrificed in order for the vehicle to remain under the benchmark kei size. If you’re over six feet tall, then your knees will always be touching the dash and you might just bump your head on the ceiling. Depending on the person, this might be a deal-breaker.
There are also some kei trucks that do not have the typical luxuries of most modern vehicles. People who enjoy listening to music on-the-go might be disappointed to hear that some kei trucks only have AM radio. Some mini trucks don’t come with air conditioning while some do. And if you’re a speed demon, you’ll be especially disappointed with the Kei truck’s low speeds. However, these issues can be resolved if you want to do a little work on the mini truck yourself.
The Takeaways
There might be more pros and cons of Kei trucks that I have yet to discover myself, but overall, I believe that the benefits outweigh the cons. Ultimately, you might find that the Kei truck is not a vehicle that you’d like, especially if your state bans them (or maybe you think the opposite). Nevertheless, the Kei truck is a vehicle that you should consider as an option for your business or recreational needs!
Thanks! This is good info. Have been thinking about a possible kei project.