Daihatsu Refreshes the Taft Kei Crossover With Tougher Looks and Smarter Radar

Daihatsu is giving its compact Taft crossover a mid-life refresh in Japan, six years after the model first launched, aiming to keep pace with the newly facelifted Suzuki Hustler and the quirky Mitsubishi Delica Mini. Rather than a full redesign, the update leans on new special editions, sharper cabin tech, and a beefed-up safety suite to keep the kei-class competitor relevant.

The headline additions are two special editions, the Rugged Venture and Active Mode, both built off the range-topping G and G Turbo trims. The Rugged Venture stands out with a Smoked Chrome and Black grille and tailgate garnish, paired with Gunmetal 15-inch alloy wheels and matching interior accents. The Active Mode shares the same hardware but wears a darker, stealthier finish instead. Buyers wanting more flair can opt for the Active Mode Style package, which adds orange highlights across the grille, side profile, wheels, fog lights, and reflectors.

Oddly, the standard Taft lineup skips any exterior styling changes altogether, with the sole update being a new Spark Orange paint option joining the color chart. It's a modest gesture for a model that's been on sale since 2020, but Daihatsu appears to be funneling most of the visual upgrades into the new special editions instead.

Inside, the kei crossover finally gets a modernized instrument cluster, now a 7-inch digital display with crisper graphics, though the larger 9-inch infotainment screen remains an optional extra rather than standard fit. Practicality gets a boost too, courtesy of a new removable under-luggage storage box, while the panoramic sunroof carries over as an available feature for buyers who want more light inside the cabin.

The bigger story may be under the skin, where Daihatsu has overhauled the driver-assist sensors to meet updated Japanese safety standards. The Taft can now spot cyclists, watch for oncoming traffic during right turns at intersections, and catch pedestrians crossing when the vehicle turns in either direction. The pedestrian collision avoidance system now works up to 80 km/h (50 mph), a notable jump from before, and both the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist have been retuned for a smoother, less jarring response.

Mechanically, nothing changes, the Taft keeps its familiar 658cc three-cylinder engine, offered in naturally aspirated form with 51 hp (38 kW / 52 PS) or turbocharged with 63 hp (47 kW / 64 PS). Both versions route through a CVT exclusively, with buyers choosing between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive setups depending on how much off-road capability they actually need versus just want to look like they have.