Kei Cars

‘Kei car’ is essentially a Japanese microcar that meets the Japanese vehicle category for the smallest highway-legal passenger cars with restricted dimensions and engine capacity. Similar categories exist for micro-vans and micro-trucks. The Kei car category was created by the Japanese government in 1949 and the regulations stipulate a maximum vehicle size, engine capacity, and power output so that owners may enjoy both tax and insurance benefits.

Most Kei cars are eligible for importing into Australia under the RAV scheme as part of the newly revamped legislation (RVS Act 2018). This is because Kei cars produce low emissions having engines less than 660cc / 47kW and have overall dimensions under 3.4 m long and 1.48 m wide. Some older Kei cars are able to be brought to our shores via the 25 year importing ruling.

This opens up a significant variety of vehicles that appeal to younger consumers or frugal car owners wanting to do their part for the environment. Some of these vehicles can provide an unmatched smile-to-dollar ratio due to their lightweight, high-revving nature and charming characteristics. Most Kei cars have turbocharged engines which are highly tuneable which can boost the ‘fun factor’ for spirited drivers.

Here is a shortlist of Kei cars eligible for importing into Australia: