Used Daihatsu Tanto for Sale

Daihatsu Tanto Purchase Guide

The Tanto is a kei passenger car launched by Daihatsu in 2003. With its tall, boxy body designed to maximize interior space, it pioneered the kei super-height wagon segment. Its signature feature is the "Miracle Open Door," which eliminates the pillar on the passenger side and combines it with a sliding door, and it has been widely used for taking children to and from school and for helping elderly family members get in and out. On the used market, the third generation from 2013, which gained sliding doors on both sides, is easy to find at affordable prices. The fourth generation from 2019 was the first to adopt Daihatsu's new design philosophy, "DNGA," making it well suited to buyers who prioritize driving performance and safety equipment.

Third-Generation Tanto (LA600S/LA610S / 2013–2019): The Third Generation That Added Dual Sliding Doors to the Miracle Open Door

Strengths of the Third-Generation Tanto

A wide pillarless opening on the passenger side and sliding doors on both sides made it a go-to choice for families with young children

The third-generation Tanto went on sale in October 2013. The first generation of 2003 pioneered the tall kei car market with its roomy interior, and the second generation of 2007 introduced the "Miracle Open Door," which built the passenger-side pillar into the door itself. The third generation carried this design over and added a sliding door for the rear seat on the driver's side as well, giving it sliding doors on both sides. The previous model had a sliding door only on the left rear, so the ability to load and unload children from the right side as well is the biggest change in this generation. With the Miracle Open Door, opening the passenger door and the left sliding door reveals a pillarless opening 1,480mm wide. The third generation also gave the passenger seat a long slide range, so you can tend to a child in the rear seat and then move straight through the cabin to the driver's seat. Fitting and removing child seats and helping elderly family members in and out became much easier, making it a staple for families with young children, and it has also been used as a base for mobility-assistance vehicles. The powertrain initially paired a 658cc naturally aspirated engine with a CVT, and in December 2013 the turbo engine offered on the Custom was added to the standard Tanto as well. Buyers could choose between FWD and 4WD. At launch there were three grades, L, X, and G: the L was an entry-level model with pared-back equipment, while the G came standard with dual power sliding doors. Grades with "SA," fitted with the Smart Assist collision avoidance support system, were available from launch. In fiscal 2014 it ranked first in new kei car sales. Later updates added a one-touch open function to the power sliding doors and made vehicle stability control (VSC & TRC) standard on all models. In the latter part of its run, collision avoidance support was upgraded to Smart Assist III, and a panoramic monitor (4-camera system) showing a bird's-eye view of the car also became available. During its production run, in 2016, Daihatsu became a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota. It was also supplied to Subaru on an OEM basis as the Chiffon.

Weaknesses of the Third-Generation Tanto

The naturally aspirated version lacks power to spare, and door mechanisms and safety equipment vary greatly from car to car

The only transmission is a CVT; no manual was offered. The naturally aspirated engine produces 38kW (52ps), which leaves little in reserve for moving the tall, heavy body. On the highway with four people aboard or on long uphill climbs, engine revs rise and noise tends to fill the cabin. This is common to super-height wagons of the era in general, but those who drive often on highways or live in hilly areas will be more satisfied with a turbo model. Its tall, boxy shape also makes it susceptible to crosswinds. The area to check most carefully on this car is the doors. Because the Miracle Open Door makes the door itself serve as the pillar, it is reassuring to check how heavy the doors feel to open and close, how well they line up when shut, and whether they creak while driving. For the power sliding doors, check on both sides for motor noise during operation, whether they stop or reverse midway, and whether they close fully on their own. Depending on the grade, some cars have a manual door on the right side, and in some cases a powered right-side door was added as special edition equipment. If you are looking specifically for powered doors on both sides, you should check each piece of equipment on the actual car. How a car has been used also shows in its condition. Many cars of this generation are said to have been used for repeated short trips, such as kindergarten and lesson drop-offs and local shopping. Even with low mileage, the combination of driving before the engine fully warms up and frequent door opening and closing means there are reported cases of worn-out idle-stop batteries and sliding doors that move stiffly due to sand and debris built up in the rails. Child seat marks and dirt on the rear seats can't be judged from mileage alone either. For 4WD cars used in snowy regions, it is also worth checking the underbody for rust caused by road salt. Safety equipment varies greatly by model year and grade. On cars built before vehicle stability control became standard across the lineup, some grades may not have it. Collision avoidance support also differs in scope between the early Smart Assist and the later Smart Assist III. Check the "SA" or "SA III" designation after the grade name together with the equipment list.

Rivals of the Third-Generation Tanto

Honda N-BOX

The main point of comparison for the third-generation Tanto is the Honda N-BOX. The N-BOX debuted in 2011 and was already a best-selling super-height wagon by 2013, when the third-generation Tanto came out. In fiscal 2014 the Tanto took first place in new kei car sales, and the two were rivals competing for the top spot. Since the N-BOX switched to its second generation in 2017, the later third-generation Tanto was also compared with the new N-BOX. The biggest difference is the approach to getting in and out. The Tanto has a large pillarless opening on the passenger side and is designed so you can slide the passenger seat far forward and reach the child in the rear seat from the front. The N-BOX had sliding doors on both sides from the start, but it uses a conventional structure with the pillar remaining in the body. In exchange, Honda's unique layout placing the fuel tank under the front seats keeps the floor low, maximizing interior height and cargo space. When folding the rear seats to carry items such as bicycles, the N-BOX's low floor is said to be an advantage. In terms of driving, many say the N-BOX rates higher for cabin quietness and ride comfort, and opinions favoring the N-BOX stand out among those who drive often on highways. On the other hand, nothing matches the Tanto for the width of its opening when the doors are open, so for families who fit and remove child seats every day or often carry elderly family members, the reason to choose the Tanto is clear. The Suzuki Spacia was also a competitor in the same period. It is known for good fuel economy thanks to its light body, making it a strong candidate for those who prioritize running costs. When comparing them as used cars, a good rule of thumb is the Tanto if you value ease of entry and exit for children and the elderly, and the N-BOX if you value driving refinement and cargo space practicality. All are plentiful on the market, so you can compare cars with matching model years and equipment.

Third-Generation Tanto Specifications

658cc naturally aspirated and turbo, CVT only, FWD and 4WD

Engine: 658cc inline 3-cylinder (naturally aspirated / turbo) Transmission: CVT Drive: FWD (LA600S) / 4WD (LA610S) Suspension (front): MacPherson strut Suspension (rear): Torsion beam (FWD models) Length × Width × Height: 3,395 × 1,475 × 1,750mm Features: Carries over the Miracle Open Door with the passenger-side pillar built into the door (1,480mm opening width), and adds a sliding door for the driver's-side rear seat for sliding doors on both sides. The long-sliding passenger seat allows movement between front and rear through the cabin. Later models upgraded collision avoidance support to Smart Assist III.

4th-Generation Tanto (LA650S/LA660S / 2019–) – The First DNGA Model, with an All-New Platform, Engine, and CVT

Highlights of the 4th-Generation Tanto

A new platform combined with a wide pillarless opening, built for family pick-ups and drop-offs

Daihatsu has been a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation since 2016 and handles kei cars and compact cars within the Toyota Group. The 4th-generation Tanto went on sale in July 2019. It was the first model to adopt DNGA, Daihatsu's new approach to vehicle development. The platform, engine, and transmission were all renewed together, and technologies that later spread across Daihatsu's lineup started with this car. It launched in two body styles: the standard Tanto and the Tanto Custom, with a bolder front-end design. The engine is the 660cc inline three-cylinder KF, available in naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. Every model uses a CVT, featuring a newly adopted system Daihatsu calls "D-CVT," which combines a belt with gear drive. Drive options are FWD and 4WD, with model codes LA650S for FWD and LA660S for 4WD. The Tanto's signature feature, the "Miracle Open Door," which builds the passenger-side pillar into the doors, carries over to this generation. Opening the front and rear doors creates a wide opening with no pillar, making it easy to get in and out while holding a child or to load large items. The 4th generation adds a long-slide driver's seat that can move far back. When parked, the driver can reach a child in the rear seat or move straight into the back. For preventive safety, it uses Smart Assist with a stereo camera. Depending on the grade, adaptive cruise control with full-speed-range following was also available, making highway driving easier. The October 2022 facelift updated the exterior of both the standard model and the Custom. At the same time, the "Tanto Funcross," with SUV-style exterior styling, joined the lineup. In Japan, it is a go-to car for families with young children. It also serves as the base for Daihatsu's "Friendship" series of mobility-assist vehicles, including the "Slopers" with a wheelchair ramp. Subaru sells the same car as the Chiffon, so you can also search under that name when looking for parts.

Drawbacks of the 4th-Generation Tanto

Short trips centered on school runs tend to take a toll on the sliding doors and electrical system

Many Tantos have been used for repeated daily trips of just a few kilometers each, such as kindergarten and daycare runs, shopping, and hospital visits. When the engine is regularly shut off before it fully warms up, the battery can't keep up with charging. As a result, there are said to be cases where the idle-stop system stops working or the battery wears out early. Since idle-stop vehicles use a dedicated battery, it's worth checking whether there are records of a replacement. On school runs, the sliding doors are opened and closed many times a day. Power sliding doors put strain on the motor, cables, and rails, and some vehicles have a high number of door cycles even with low mileage. Before buying, open and close both sides several times to check for unusual noises, stopping midway, or failing to close fully. On the passenger-side door with the built-in pillar, also check for rattling when closed and how the lock engages. Some vehicles have marks from child seats in the rear or seat stains from spilled food. Don't decide based on exterior photos alone; request photos of the rear seat area as well and compare. In terms of specifications, there is no manual transmission option; the CVT is the only choice. Because the body is tall and heavy, the naturally aspirated engine is said to have little reserve when merging onto highways or climbing hills. If you'll do a lot of highway driving, a turbo model is the better fit. Susceptibility to crosswinds is a tendency shared by all super-height wagons. In December 2023, Daihatsu halted shipments of all models in production following misconduct in certification testing. Tanto supply also stopped during this period, which is thought to have been one factor in rising demand for used vehicles. The exterior differs before and after the October 2022 facelift, and the Funcross exists only on later vehicles. Also, because the model is relatively recent, if your country restricts the age of vehicles that can be imported, check eligibility in advance.

Rivals of the 4th-Generation Tanto

Honda N-BOX

The car most often compared with the 4th-generation Tanto is the Honda N-BOX. It is also a kei super-height wagon, and the 4th-generation Tanto's sales period overlaps with the 2nd-generation N-BOX introduced in 2017 and the 3rd generation that replaced it in 2023. The N-BOX has long ranked at the top of Japan's new car sales, and it is one of the most plentiful used cars in this class. The biggest difference is how you get in and out. The N-BOX's sliding doors on both sides are conventional designs with a pillar, and it lacks the Tanto's pillarless opening on the passenger side. For uses like loading an unfolded stroller or transferring from a wheelchair to the front or rear seat, the Tanto's opening is a real help. Being able to move between front and rear seats thanks to the long-slide driver's seat is also convenient for families who spend a lot of time caring for children. The N-BOX uses Honda's unique layout that places the fuel tank under the front seats, giving it a low floor and a tall cabin. Its strength lies in cargo flexibility, such as flipping up the rear seat cushions to carry tall items upright. It offers naturally aspirated and turbo engines, a CVT, and FWD or 4WD, giving it nearly the same range of combinations as the Tanto. Used prices for the N-BOX tend to run higher due to its popularity. On the same budget, the Tanto makes it easier to find a newer or lower-mileage vehicle. Many people rate the N-BOX higher for interior quality and ride composure. The common rule of thumb is to choose the Tanto if you prioritize ease of entry and price. If we name one more, it's the Suzuki Spacia. It widely adopts mild hybrid technology, making it a candidate for those who prioritize fuel economy. For use as a mobility-assist vehicle, all of these models come in ramp-equipped and swivel-seat versions. Comparing actual vehicles based on the wheelchair size and how the user gets in and out is the surest approach.

4th-Generation Tanto Specifications

660cc KF (NA/turbo), CVT across the range, FWD and 4WD

Engine: 660cc inline 3-cylinder (KF, naturally aspirated/turbo) Transmission: CVT (D-CVT) Drivetrain: FWD (LA650S) / 4WD (LA660S) Front suspension: MacPherson strut Rear suspension: Torsion beam (FWD) Length × Width × Height: 3,395 × 1,475 × 1,755mm (standard model, FWD) Features: The first generation to adopt DNGA. Equipped with the Miracle Open Door, which builds the passenger-side pillar into the doors, and a long-slide driver's seat. The October 2022 facelift added the SUV-styled Tanto Funcross. --- *Note before submission: The search tool became unavailable during research, and the only point confirmed from official manufacturer sources is that "the new Tanto released in July 2019 was the first DNGA model." All other facts were written from memory and have not been officially verified. Please check the following items against official materials before submission and remove them if they don't match. - **Model codes and engine:** The assignment of LA650S = FWD and LA660S = 4WD, the KF engine, and the D-CVT name - **Suspension:** Rear suspension type (only FWD is listed; the 4WD type is unknown, so it was not included) - **Dimensions:** Overall height of 1,755mm - **October 2022 facelift:** Timing and content - **Equipment:** Long-slide seat, Smart Assist, and availability of full-speed-range ACC - **Sales and related models:** Sales as the Subaru Chiffon, the Slopers mobility-assist vehicle - **December 2023 shipment halt** Improvements after October 2022 could not be verified, so they were not included in the text.