2012 & 2013 Daihatsu Truck Reviews & Ratings

Japanese automaker Daihatsu is known for its small vehicles, many of which are known as kei cars (or kei jidosha) in Japan and for its off-road vehicles, but it creates bigger vehicles as well. Daihatsu is famous for its commercial utility vehicles in addition to its kei cars. One such vehicle is the 2012 Gran Max Pickup Truck- the only truck currently in the brand's lineup. Unfortunately, Daihatsu has announced it will pull out of Europe by 2013 (due to an extremely strong yen value's impact... (full review continues below)

Japanese automaker Daihatsu is known for its small vehicles, many of which are known as kei cars (or kei jidosha) in Japan and for its off-road vehicles, but it creates bigger vehicles as well. Daihatsu is famous for its commercial utility vehicles in addition to its kei cars. One such vehicle is the 2012 Gran Max Pickup Truck- the only truck currently in the brand's lineup. Unfortunately, Daihatsu has announced it will pull out of Europe by 2013 (due to an extremely strong yen value's impact on exports), but the company will continue to produce vehicles in Japan. Daihatsu previously stopped exports to Australian market in 2005.

The 2012 Daihatsu Gran Max compact, two-door pickup truck was first introduced in 2007 by Daihatsu Indonesia. The Gran Max is based on the Daihatsu Hijet "semicab" and is wider and longer than this kei-car based model. The Gran Max is also available as a van model and is sold as the Toyota LiteAce in Japan. The Gran Max van comes in several different variants, based on cab and engine styles. Ford example, the pickup truck can come with our without guard frames, and engine choices include a 3SZ-VE petrol, inline 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC, or DVVT engine. The 2012 Daihatsu Gran Max truck an electric fuel injection system, 13-inch ventilated disc brakes, Rack and Pinion steering, and Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i).

The Gran Max pickup truck comes in several color choices, including White, Black, Silver Mica Metallic, and Dark Blue Mica Metallic. The Gran Max truck is strong and stable enough for any job or towing situation. It includes a strong 2-stage side frame structure that can handle up to GVW 2.1 tons, and its interior features are impressive as well. These include a side walk through entry and exit, sliding seats, and a mounted level that creates a smooth and confident shifting operation.

The 2012 Daihatsu Gran Max pickup features an all synchromesh forward five-speed manual transmission as standard. Drivers can feel comfortable and safe in a comfortable driver's seat position that creates a car-like driving experience. The Gran Max van is available in several countries in Asia (Brunei, Malaysia), Africa (Algeria, Egpy, South Africa, Sudan), and Middle East (Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, Yemen). It is not, unfortunately, available in Europe or North or South America. The Gran Max has a top speed around 94 mph and reaches zero-to-sixty in 13.4 seconds. Daihatsu trucks (and vehicles in general) are known for their eco-friendly, superior craftsmanship, so those drivers looking to lessen their carbon-footprints can rest easy.

Some of the most famous Daihatsu models ever include the 1957 SKC truck (which excelled at navigating rugged Japanese roads before and after WWII),the 1962 MPS Midget (an iconic three-wheel truck), the 1968 Daihatsu P-5 racing car, the 1980 Mira compact car, and the sleek 1963 Daihastsu Sport. For those drivers looking for large amount of towing capacity and reliability, however, the 2012 Daihatsu Gran Max pickup is an excellent choice.