Vehicle scope: calendar-year 2020 introduction or documented sale in JP; LA900S/LA910S first-generation DNGA, hatchback. Market/trim verification remains essential.
Documented configuration: Japanese kei-class petrol engines (NA and turbo by grade) with CVT, FWD and 4WD versions as locally offered; Sky Feel Top roof. A quoted range or economy cycle, where present, applies only to its stated market and test procedure.
The 2020 vehicle and its actual year boundary
Daihatsu released the Taft on 10 June 2020 as a compact crossover in the Japanese kei-car class, using the DNGA development approach. The name can evoke older Daihatsu utility vehicles, but the 2020 Taft is a different small modern generation. It carries upright styling and the large Sky Feel Top roof feature aimed at keeping the cabin airy without growing beyond local small-car limitations.
Verified powertrains and technical limits
The launch materials distinguish core grades including G and G Turbo, with the kei-standard small petrol engine class, CVT drive and differing drive layouts. Precise engine output and acceleration should be checked against Japanese grade brochures because export-market Daihatsu engines do not apply. Styling that resembles an off-roader must not be interpreted as heavy-duty low-range four-wheel-drive hardware.
What it is like to live with this configuration
The Taft is a focused solution for city parking and light leisure use, especially where a short car with tall access is desirable. The tall roof and large glazed area do not make the rear passenger space equivalent to a compact family SUV. Evaluate road-noise and highway behaviour on the routes actually driven, and do not treat a nominal 4WD grade as a serious off-road replacement. Kei dimensions give the Taft an urban parking advantage, while its boxy roof and glazing help distinguish it from lower hatchbacks. The trade-off is limited width and a modest engine class, so prospective owners should evaluate passenger comfort and climbing performance against their own routes rather than its rugged-looking design.
What a used buyer should check in 2026
Check Sky Feel Top glass, seals, interior sunshades, suspension and underfloor corrosion, particularly on coastal or snowy Japanese examples. Imported cars can have language-only infotainment and domestic safety-system calibration. Review crash repair records at roof pillars and suspension mounts, and confirm parts procurement by chassis model LA900S versus LA910S.
Alternatives and the decision
Suzuki Hustler and Daihatsu’s own Tanto or Rocky cover different mixes of styling, door access and overall size. The Taft is strongest as a distinctive kei crossover for restricted urban space, not as a heavy towing or sustained motorway workhorse.