by Daihatsu has quietly refreshed its lineup of two kei cars in Japan — the Move and Move Canbus. Both models have received technical and safety enhancements, while the retro-styled Move Canbus now offers a wider range of personalization options, allowing owners to fine-tune the car’s appearance both inside and out.
New Interior and Exterior Options for Move Canbus
The new Interior Selection versions let buyers combine exterior and interior themes from special Move Canbus trims. For example, you can pair a bright two-tone paint job from the Stripes lineup with a dark brown and blue interior from Theory, or conversely — take a monochrome Theory exterior with a white and turquoise interior from Stripes.
Along with the new color combinations, Daihatsu introduced two additional styling packages. The Urban Grace Style was created for the Stripes Interior Selection: it adds chrome accents on the hood, tailgate, and mirror caps, as well as dark brown and black seat covers inside.
Move Canbus — Additional Styles
Meanwhile, the Retro Pop Style equips the Move Canbus Theory Interior Selection with dumbbell-colored inserts and chrome emblems on the outside, and Ceramic Green marble-style inserts inside. The color palette has also been expanded with a two-tone Smooth Grey / Grace Brown shade for the Stripes model and a Ceramic Green color for the Theory trim.
The company announced no changes for the standard Move, which is still fresh on the market. This version of the kei car appeared in mid-2025 after a two-year delay. Meanwhile, the current second-generation Move Canbus remains unchanged since mid-2022.
Improved Safety
For the new model year, both kei cars have received an enhanced Smart Assist active safety package, now matching the level of recently updated competitor models. The system can detect cyclists crossing the road, oncoming vehicles when turning right at intersections, and pedestrians crossing the road during left or right turns.
Daihatsu engineers also improved the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keeping Control (LKC) systems, providing smoother reactions, an expanded detection range, and reduced vehicle oscillation within the lane. Additionally, the maximum speed threshold for pedestrian detection has been raised from 60 km/h to 80 km/h.
Digital Instrument Cluster
Another key feature is the Active Multi-Information Meter, which replaces analog dials, following the example of recently updated Daihatsu models such as the Taft, Atrai, Hijet Cargo, and Hijet Truck in the kei car lineup. The steering wheel buttons have also been redesigned for easier use.
Engine and Pricing
As expected, there are no changes under the hood — it is equipped with the familiar 660cc gasoline engine. The naturally aspirated version produces 51 hp (38 kW), while the top turbocharged version delivers 63 hp (47 kW). Power is sent to the front or all four wheels (4WD) exclusively via a CVT transmission.
The updated Daihatsu Move Canbus is now available for order in Japan with prices ranging from ¥1,644,500 to ¥2,084,500 ($10,000–$12,700). The updated Move costs from ¥1,369,500 to ¥2,073,500 ($8,400–$12,700) depending on the trim.
The kei car market in Japan remains extremely competitive, and such updates help Daihatsu maintain its position among major players like Suzuki and Honda. Although the technical changes are not revolutionary, they focus on safety and comfort — exactly what compact city car buyers need most. The expansion of Move Canbus personalization options also demonstrates the brand’s desire to cater to individual customer tastes, which is becoming increasingly important in the affordable car segment.
