選び方

Which Kei Is Right For You?

Truck, van or Jimny. Each one suits a different job. Here is the honest breakdown so you pick right the first time.

Need to haul stuff?

Dirt, mulch, coolers, boards, feed, anything you can throw in an open bed.

→ Kei Truck

Need dry, lockable space + seats?

Boards, tools, kids, and the occasional camp night on the west side.

→ Kei Van

Need highway + trails?

Long back-road drives, back-country hunting, daily-drive it too.

→ Suzuki Jimny

軽トラック

Kei Truck

The small-business workhorse. Small footprint, real capability.

Seats: 2 (crew cab: 4 tight)
Cargo: Flatbed, ~1,100 lb payload
Drivetrain: 2WD or selectable 4WD + low range
Typical budget: $8k–$14k landed, typical

Best for

Farms, ranches and lo‘i work
Landscapers, surfboard shapers, food trucks
Beach town errands and dump runs
Property caretakers on estates & resorts

Strengths

Flatbed dumps and drops, haul dirt, mulch, coolers, boards
Selectable 4WD and low range on most trims
Turns around anywhere, driveways, single-lane roads, trails
Sips fuel. Parts are straightforward to source

Trade-offs

Two seats only (some crew cabs seat 4 tight)
Open bed, cargo needs tarping in rain
Some states cap use to roads posted 35 mph or lower (see note below)

Road use: Several states classify Kei trucks as low-speed vehicles, legal on roads posted 35 mph or lower. No H-1, H-2, H-3 or highways over 35 mph.

Purchase Inquiry See Kei Truck Inventory

軽バン

Kei Van

Enclosed cargo, real seating, camper-ready. The Swiss Army knife.

Seats: 4
Cargo: Enclosed, seats fold flat
Drivetrain: 2WD or selectable 4WD (model dependent)
Typical budget: $8k–$13k landed, typical

Best for

Surf & dive crews, boards inside, out of the sun
Small businesses needing lockable, dry cargo
Micro-campers and weekend van-life builds
Beach town families wanting 4 seats + gear

Strengths

Enclosed and lockable, protects tools and boards from sun, salt, rain
Rear seats fold flat for a queen-ish sleeping platform
4 real seats plus cargo
AC on most, better weather sealing than the truck

Trade-offs

No open bed, can't dump dirt or haul tall loads
Ground clearance lower than the truck or Jimny
Smaller engine, not built for sustained freeway pace

Road use: Highway legal in most states, registers as a standard passenger vehicle with no 35 mph cap.

Purchase Inquiry See Kei Van Inventory

ジムニー

Suzuki Jimny

Tiny legend. Full highway-legal 4x4 that goes where trucks can't.

Seats: 4
Cargo: Small rear area, fold-flat seats
Drivetrain: Part-time 4WD + low range (ladder frame)
Typical budget: $12k–$22k landed, typical

Best for

Trail, hunting and back-road exploring
Daily driver you also want to take up Saddle Road or Kahekili
Anyone who needs highway access (H-1, H-2, H-3, Pali, etc.)
Collectors and enthusiasts, values are climbing

Strengths

Real ladder-frame 4x4 with low range, punches way above its size
Highway-legal in most states (not restricted to 35 mph roads)
Iconic looks, nothing else drives like a Jimny
Holds value better than almost anything in the segment

Trade-offs

Tiny cargo area, not a hauler
Short wheelbase, bouncy on rough pavement
Higher entry price than trucks or vans

Road use: Highway legal in most states, registers as a standard passenger vehicle with no 35 mph cap.

Purchase Inquiry See Suzuki Jimny Inventory

Side by side

	Kei Truck	Kei Van	Jimny
Best use	Farm / hauling	Cargo + seats + camper	Trails + highway
Seats	2 (or 4 crew)	4	4
Cargo	Open flatbed	Enclosed, lockable	Small rear area
4WD + low range	Most trims	Some trims	Standard
Highway legal (HI)	No, 35 mph cap	Yes	Yes
Typical landed price	$8k–$14k	$8k–$13k	$12k–$22k

重要事項

The 35 mph rule, straight talk

Several states, Hawaiʻi included, register Kei trucks as low-speed vehicles (LSVs). They're fully legal to own, register, insure and drive, but only on roads posted 35 mph or lower. That rules out interstates and expressways.

Kei vans and the Suzuki Jimny register as regular passenger vehicles, no 35 mph cap, full highway access.

For a lot of buyers, in-town driving, farm and ranch parcels, campgrounds, job sites and small-town routes, the 35 mph limit is a non-issue. But if your daily drive includes the freeway, go with a van or a Jimny.

Many states also require a safety inspection before plates are issued. Registration and inspection are completed by you as the legal owner, and we help you research your state's exact requirements before you buy.

Kei trucks are small-business perfect

Low buy-in, tiny operating costs, and a footprint that fits tight job sites and alleys, and they're endlessly customizable. Flatbeds swap for dump beds, refrigerated boxes, food-truck builds, tool racks, wraps, lift kits, you name it. Kei vehicles mold to your business without eating into your margins.

A pair of Japanese Kei work trucks parked at a Kyoto jobsite, proof of daily commercial use

Farms & ranches

Haul feed, mulch, tools, and produce on 35 mph roads and farm tracks. 4WD and low range handle muddy fields with ease.

Surf & dive schools

Boards, tanks, coolers, and wetsuits in an open bed or lockable van. Park at the beach lot where full-size trucks won't fit.

Food trucks & catering

A compact van box is easy to wrap, easy to park, and cheap to run daily. Turn it into a mobile shave ice or coffee stand.

Trades & maintenance

Lockable cargo keeps tools dry, and the tight turning radius is perfect for resort properties, condos, and estates.

Landscaping & nurseries

Move plants, soil, pavers, and equipment between job sites without the fuel bill of a full-size truck.

Construction sites

Haul small loads, tools, and crews around the job. Fits through gates and narrow access roads bigger trucks can't use.

Still not sure?

Tell us how you'll use it, beach, farm, business, trail, and we'll steer you right. No hard sell, ever.

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