Daihatsu Hijet vs Subaru Sambar Comparison

Light commercial vehicles commonly known as Kei cars have been a darling for the Japanese for many years, and due to that many companies offered models of Kei cars. Today we will take a look at two of the oldest and best performers in the Kei truck/van category: the Daihatsu Hijet and Subaru Sambar. These two cars have gone neck on neck with each other from 1960 to the present whereby the Sambar comes as a rebadged Hijet. Please read on

Daihatsu Hijet vs Subaru Sambar Side-By-Side Comparison

(*Prices are reflective of average BE FORWARD pricing as of May 2021)

Daihatsu Hijet Subaru Sambar
Generations 117
Production Year 1960 – Present 1961 – Present
Performance 30 HP – 64 HP 18 HP – 58 HP
Fuel Consumption 20 KM/L – 31 KM/L 16 KM/L – 17.7 KM/L
Drivetrain2WD and 4WD 2WD and 4WD
Key Features Keyless Entry, Alloy Wheels, ABS, Airbag, A/C, Power

Window, Power Steering, CD Player, Central

Locking
Airbag, A/C, Power Steering, ABS, Power Windows,

Alloy Wheels
Seating Capacity 4 Passengers 4 Passengers
BE FORWARD price US$ 1130 – US$ 23,160US$ 980 – US$ 16,250

Exterior/Interior Comparison

Daihatsu Hijet

Daihatsu Hijet white color front-side view

BROWSE LOW COST DAIHATSU HIJET MODELS

Interior

The Hijet is a 5-door 4-seat van that can easily be accessed via the front-hinged doors or rear sliding doors. Unlike other microvans which feel a bit cramped inside, the Hijet is spacious and can accommodate two people at the front and two at the back comfortably. 

With exception of its good build quality, the Hijet was designed with ergonomics in mind as it utilizes the available space sensibly.

The seats are comfortable, even though they might not feel as good as those of a family car, but still, you won’t have any issues about them. The front seats are much better as they also feature a headrest, unlike the rear bench which does not. The Hijet was designed for short urban commutes; if it occurs you drive it for long hours you’ll feel the need for a short break to stretch your back.

The dash and binnacle feature a radio, fuel gauge, speedometer, cup holders, and tray.

The Hijet offers storage in the form of cup/bottle holders, a tray, a coin (small things) holder, and a glovebox. You also get a large luggage area that can be expanded by folding the rear bench. 

Daihatsu Hijet cockpit dashboard drivers view

BROWSE LOW COST DAIHATSU HIJET MODELS

People also read: Introducing the Daihatsu Atrai 2024: A Fusion of Utility and Style

Exterior

The Hijet’s exterior dimensions kept changing with the change in Kei car regulations. The latest model has a wheelbase of 2.4 meters (Van), a length of 3.4 meters, a width of 1.5 meters, and a height of 1.9 meters.

The front view of the Hijet features a large bumper with cooling air vents at the center and LED fog lights on the sides. Above the bumper, on the extreme left and right corners, you find LED halogen lights, while at the rear there is a bumper that is also fitted with LED taillights and brake lights (other models feature a different setup).

Safety

The basic safety features of the latest Hijet include ABS, Traction control, Vehicle stability control, emergency stop signal, Adaptive headlights, and pedestrian protection.

Subaru Sambar

Subaru Sambar grey color front side view

BROWSE LOW COST SUBARU SAMBAR MODELS

Interior

The interior of the Sambar is simple and basic. The front seats are cushy affording the driver and passenger with the necessary comfort. The rear seat is a bench, it’s not as comfortable as the front seat, but it’s enough to accommodate two passengers on an urban commute. The dash houses the simple binnacle, radio, and air control switches.

Storage comes in the form of small door pockets, cup holders between the front seats, and a glovebox. The luggage area is large enough, it is about 1.8 meters in length with the rear seat folded, enough to accommodate two mountain bikes comfortably.

Other features include power windows at the front and a manual at the rear.

Subaru Sambar dashboard cockpit view

BROWSE LOW COST SUBARU SAMBAR MODELS

Exterior

The Sambar is boxy and not attractive, but so ergonomic. At the front, the Sambar has a large bumper with air cooling ventilation; just above it is the front grille with the Subaru badge. On the sides, there are two large halogen headlights and two small side indicating signals.

Safety

The basic safety features of the Sambar are ABS, Airbags, and seatbelt.

Engine and Fuel Efficiency Comparison

The Hijet spans 10 generations and has used several engines to power it in that duration. We will focus mainly on the E-series engines as seen below.

  • The 7th generation Hijet was fitted with a naturally aspirated inline 3-cylinder 0.5-liter EB-60 SOHC engine that produces 30 HP or the turbocharged inline 3-cylinder 0.5-liter EB-70/71 SOHC that produces 46/52 HP. These engines were mated with a 4 or 5-speed manual and 3-speed automatic transmission.
  • The 8th generation Hijet release coincided with the release of the inline 3-cylinder 0.66-liter EF engine, with 4 variants the naturally aspirated EF-ES/NS 6-valve SOHC, the EF-VE/GS/ZS 12-valve DOHC, and the turbocharged EF-TS 6-valve SOHC, the EF-RS 12-valve DOHC. These engines produced 42 HP, 44 HP, 46 HP, and 64 HP respectively. These engines had an average fuel consumption that ranges between 20 KM/L to 25 KM/L and were mated to a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission. 
  • The 9th generation Hijet was fitted with either the EF-SE/VE used in the previous generation or the turbocharged inline 3-cylinder 0.66-liter EF-DET DOHC engine that produces 64 HP and average fuel consumption of 27 KM/L. These engines were mated with a 5-speed manual or 3 to 4- speed automatic transmissions.
  • The 10th (current) generation Hijet was fitted with either the naturally aspirated inline 3-cylinder 0.66-liter KF-VE DOHC engine that produces 52 HP and average fuel consumption of 31 KM/L or the turbocharged 3-cylinder 0.66-liter KF-DET DOHC engine that produces 63 HP and average fuel consumption of 27 KM/L. These engines were mated with a 5-speed manual or 3 to 4- speed automatic transmissions.
Daihatsu Hijet Engine View

BROWSE LOW COST DAIHATSU HIJET MODELS

Subaru Sambar

It was introduced in 1961, with its latest version being the 7th generation. The Sambar gained its popularity for having its engine at the rear. The Sambar is rear-wheel driven with four-wheel drive as an option. We will take a look at some of the engines that the Sambar has used over the years as seen below.

  • The 4th generation Sambar came fitted with either the 0.55-liter 4-cylinder EK23 previously used on the 3rd generation but with improved power of 34 HP or the 0.6-liter 4-cylinder EK42 that produces 31 HP.
  • The 5th generation Sambar came fitted with a 0.7-liter 4-cylinder EN07 SOHC engine that produces 55 HP with average fuel consumption of 17.7 KM/L. This engine was mated to a 5-speed manual or CVT transmission.
  • The 6th generation Sambar came fitted with a 0.7-liter 4-cylinder EN07Y SOHC supercharged engine that produced 58 HP with average fuel consumption of 16 KM/L. This engine transferred power to the wheels via a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission.

Since Daihatsu Motors is owned by Toyota and also the Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru’s parent company) is majority-owned by Toyota, it led to Toyota deciding that from 2007 all Subaru Sambar will be a rebadged Daihatsu Hijet.

Daihatsu Hijet engine view

BROWSE LOW COST SUBARU SAMBAR MODELS

The Verdict

The Daihatsu Hijet and Subaru Sambar have had healthy competition in the microvan category since their inception in the ’60s which led to each company seeking ways to improve to gain an upper hand and win more customers over its competitors. This made the Hijet and Sambar better and better as can be witnessed from this article until the year 2007 when they were merged to become one. So if you decide to purchase any of these two models, then you are making a wise choice. Please visit BE FORWARD to choose your car from our long list.

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