The Daihatsu Tanto Enjoyable Cross Is the Kei Overlander We Want

Right here in America, we like our autos huge and quick, and god assist anybody that will get of their method. However over in Japan, issues aren’t fairly so menacing — their vehicles are smaller, happier, extra enjoyable. On the market, the keijidosha reigns supreme, with boxy vans placing each cubic centimeter allotted by rules to full, sensible use.

However what if kei vehicles might be even higher? How are you going to enhance on such meticulous engineering, such practical-cute styling? It appears Daihatsu has discovered a method: add some overland aesthetic aptitude, and name your automotive the Tanto Enjoyable Cross.

Motor1 launched me to the Enjoyable Cross earlier in the present day, and it’s been caught in my thoughts ever since. Let’s run down the phrases in its identify, simply to point out that it’s actually good. First, there’s “Tanto,” which as everyone knows is a small sword as soon as carried by samurai alongside their longer tachi (I’m sorry, did you not have a samurai sword part as a youth?). Then we get “Enjoyable,” a refreshing time period in a world stuffed with autos all the time aiming to out-anger one another. Lastly, there’s “Cross” — and this little automotive really does cross boundaries, with its concentrate on off-road excursions.

Certain, the usual Tanto will get you a lot of the identical tools — both a naturally aspirated three-cylinder making 51 horsepower or a turbo three placing out 63, every paired with a CVT and two- or four-wheel-drive — however the extra road-biased fashions miss out on the Enjoyable Cross’s chunky bumpers and plastic aspect cladding. Yeah, the cladding is sweet. If the Citroen Cactus may be praised for it, why not Daihatsu too?

Sadly, because the Enjoyable Cross is a kei automotive, we’ll by no means see it in the USA. Until, that’s, somebody imports one in 2047, after they turn into authorized below the 25-year import legislation. In the event you see me setting a timer, simply thoughts your individual enterprise.