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by derekheidenreichNovember 11, 2026
Scion KEI-01 Kei Truck: Specs, Price & Street Legal Limits
by derekheidenreichNovember 11, 2026Toyota is relaunching the Scion brand with the Scion KEI-01 Kei truck. We'll explore its specs, price, and street-legal limits on U.S. roads. This will be the first kei truck manufactured in the U.S. and the first Scion kei truck. Toyota plans to produce a direct replica of the Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo with similar specs in Indiana, including right-hand drive and compliance with Japanese government regulations, but built to U.S. regulations as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV), which is subject to the 25 mph cap.
The Scion KEI-01 Specs
The Scion KEI-01 has a 75-inch-long, 54-inch-wide cargo bed with folding sides and is powered by a 660cc three-cylinder engine that reaches a top speed of 25 mph. Toyota has not revealed the Scion KEI-01's horsepower or other specs yet, but we expect a downtuned version of the Hijet's 46-horsepower engine in Japan. It features a continuously variable transmission (CVT), selectable four-wheel drive, and a maximum payload capacity of 600 pounds. However, its payload capacity is lower than its Japanese counterpart, which can carry 771 pounds and has been the standard payload capacity for all Kei trucks since the 1970s. The Scion KEI-01 measures 133.7 inches long, 58.1 inches wide, and 78.7 inches high.
The Scion KEI-01 Estimated Price
Toyota has not revealed the Scion KEI-01's price yet, but we estimate the Scion KEI-01 will be priced between $17,000 and $21,000, about double the price of its Japanese counterpart, the Hijet Jumbo in Japan, at current currency exchange rates. If our estimation is accurate, the Scion KEI-01 would cost at least $5,000 less than an imported 2026 Daihatsu Hijet Jumbo sold at U.S. dealerships. The main difference between the Scion KEI-01 and an imported Hijet is that the Scion is manufactured to meet NHTSA and EPA standards, eliminating the need for costly modifications through EPA-approved shops. Manufacturing it in Indiana avoids import tariffs and other related costs. Still, the main question is how down-tuning, the features offered, American worker wages, and U.S. government standards will affect costs.
Kei trucks Reviews & Specs
Will the Scion KEI-01 be Street Legal?
Will the Scion KEI-01 kei truck be street legal? The short answer is yes, but it will be restricted to roads with speed limits of up to 35 mph, depending on local laws. The Scion KEI-01 will be classified as a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV), which is subject to the 25 mph cap. This classification also applies to its Japanese-imported 2026 Hijet counterpart, with the same speed limitation, unlike 25-year-old imported kei trucks, which can reach speeds of up to 80 mph and are street legal in up to 45 states for speeds of up to 55 mph, and with some states allowing 25-year-old kei trucks on the interstate at interstate speeds.
Who Is Toyota Targeting
Toyota's initial batch of trucks will be exclusively for fleets, targeting governments, businesses, and universities that can utilize the Scion KEI-01's practical uses and low speed. While private owners view Kei trucks as fun toys, they often prefer more cost-effective 25-year-old models that can reach up to 80 mph and are better suited for off-roading because of their lighter weight.
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New Kei Trucks U.S. Regulations
Will the U.S. ever see a new Kei truck that is fully street-legal? We believe the U.S. will likely never have a new, fully street-legal Kei truck. Although Trump spoke positively about Kei trucks during his term, these vehicles, as currently built, do not meet U.S. safety standards for roads with speed limits over 35 mph. In the best-case scenario, with Trump relaxing fuel economy and other U.S. vehicle regulations, we might see the return of the small trucks we remember from the 90s, such as trucks similar to the Chevy S-10. The smaller trucks we knew in the 90s are no longer available because the U.S. began regulating a vehicle's MPG based on its size. This meant a small vehicle had to deliver good fuel economy, which was impossible for a small 4x4 truck.