Small but brave: Review of the 1994 Honda Acty SDX
Japan has always been famous for amazing cars that never made it to the markets of other countries. This tiny Honda Acty SDX pickup is just such a representative of “Japanese exoticism.” It was never sold in the US, but someone made the effort to import this example, and now it is available for sale to anyone who is not afraid to think on a smaller scale than the usual American giants.
Honda produced the Acty for three generations from 1977 to 2021. This car belongs to the second generation, produced in 1994. It was imported to the United States in 2022, where it was repainted in Sonic Gray Pearl, a color that suits it very well.
By the standards of typical American pickups, it is absolutely impractical, but if you don’t need to haul heavy loads, and instead are looking for something small, maneuverable, and easy to operate, this car could be an ideal choice.
Specifications and limitations
Since the Acty belongs to the kei truck class, it doesn’t have the power you might expect from larger vehicles. It is powered by a tiny three-cylinder engine with a displacement of 656 cc, which when new produced a modest 38 horsepower and 54 Nm of torque. Over the years of operation, some of these “horses” have inevitably been lost, and the seller notes that the car’s maximum speed is 50-55 mph (80-88 km/h). Therefore, it’s probably not worth taking it on major highways.
Semi-slicks: why?
Perhaps the most interesting feature of this Acty is its wheel and tire setup. For unknown reasons, the seller installed black 13-inch ABR wheels, “shod” with Toyo Proxes R888R tires sized 225/45, which are semi-slicks. Of course, this is not the type of rubber you would typically find on a pickup, but it should make the little Honda very fun to drive on winding mountain roads.
Interior refresh
Some changes have taken place inside as well. The headliner is now upholstered in red suede, the seats and door panels are trimmed in black leather with red contrast stitching, and a new Momo steering wheel completes the transformation. This is a much more refined interior than what a work-oriented kei truck would have left the factory with. The red-and-black theme gives the little Honda a sportier look than its 38 horsepower can back up.
According to the listing on Bring a Trailer, the odometer shows approximately 84,000 km (52,000 miles). Those who wish to park such a car in their collection can proceed to the listing to place a bid.
Additional context: This car is an excellent example of how the Japanese kei car market offers unique solutions that often have no parallels in the world. Despite its low power, the Acty SDX attracts attention due to its rarity and unusual set of modifications. Installing semi-slick tires on such a vehicle is surprising, but it also highlights the individuality of this project. For collectors or enthusiasts looking for an unusual and compact vehicle, this pickup could be a real find, although its practicality on American roads is questionable.