2024 DAIHATSU TANTO REVIEW

The 2024 Daihatsu Tanto continues its legacy as one of Japan’s most iconic compact cars, offering a smart blend of practicality, efficiency, and urban-friendly design. Since its debut, the Tanto has earned a strong reputation for maximizing interior space within compact dimensions—ideal for tight city streets and everyday family use. Now updated for 2024, it brings fresh styling, improved tech, and enhanced safety while staying true to its core mission: making small feel big.

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Detailed Review

Visually, the 2024 Tanto introduces a cleaner, more modern face with slimmer LED headlights and a sharper grille design, lending it a more refined, grown-up character. The profile remains distinctly boxy—purposeful for cabin space—while sliding rear doors and large glass areas maintain its user-friendly and airy feel.

Powering the Tanto is a 658cc three-cylinder engine, available in both naturally aspirated and turbocharged forms. While modest on paper, the powertrain is well-suited to the car’s size and mission, delivering smooth performance through a CVT gearbox and prioritizing fuel efficiency, especially in dense urban traffic.

The Tanto continues to impress with its spacious, cleverly packaged cabin. A flat floor and high roofline maximize room for passengers, while thoughtful details like wide-opening doors and configurable seating make it surprisingly versatile. Higher-grade models come equipped with a touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, and automatic climate control.

Compact, clever, and characterful, the 2024 Daihatsu Tanto proves that big ideas can come in small packages. Whether you’re navigating narrow alleys or ferrying kids across town, it’s a car built around making everyday life easier—without wasting space, time, or fuel.

If interested in buying the Daihatsu Tanto, we have prepared a separate Buyer’s Guide with details on what to look out for when buying a used one and the common pitfalls to avoid. Click here to purchase the Buyer’s Guide.

2024 Daihatsu Tanto Grades

Daihatsu Tanto Trim Levels

L / X (Base Models)
These entry-level variants prioritize affordability and practicality, making them ideal for city drivers, first-time owners, or elderly users. Standard features include halogen headlights, manual air conditioning, fabric upholstery, steel wheels, and a simple, functional interior.

Engine: 658cc naturally aspirated KF inline-3

Transmission: CVT (D-CVT)

Drivetrain: Front-wheel or all-wheel drive

Best for: Cost-conscious buyers seeking a no-frills, reliable commuter

X Turbo / RS (Mid and High-End Models)
These higher trims bring added comfort, tech, and style. Highlights include LED headlights, upgraded cabin finishes, powered sliding doors (typically on the passenger side), and advanced driver assistance systems. The “Custom” and “RS” versions add sportier looks and bigger wheels.

Engine: 658cc turbocharged KF inline-3

Notable features:

Touchscreen infotainment (varies by trim)

Smart Assist (includes features like lane keeping and collision warnings)

Optional two-tone exterior and alloy wheels

Drivetrain: FWD or AWD

Tanto Custom Lineup

Custom L
This is the entry point to the stylish “Custom” range. It offers signature Custom design elements, LED lighting, and power sliding doors—primarily on the passenger side—while keeping the price relatively low.

Engine: 658cc naturally aspirated KF inline-3

Features:

LED headlights

Passenger-side power sliding rear door

Core safety equipment (ABS, airbags)

FWD or AWD availability

Custom X
A step up from the Custom L, this trim improves on comfort, safety, and convenience. It’s a good balance between affordability and premium feel.

Upgrades include:

Dual power sliding doors

Digital climate control

Enhanced interior materials

Basic Smart Assist features

Custom RS
The range-topping Custom RS combines sporty looks with performance enhancements. It gets a turbocharged engine, larger alloys, and a suite of advanced features. Paddle shifters and unique trim details round out its appeal.

Key features:

Turbocharged engine

Sporty design touches (grille, bumpers)

Alloy wheels

Smart Assist (full package with adaptive cruise, lane alerts, etc.)

Optional two-tone paint and exterior accessories

Available in FWD or AWD

Tanto FunCross (Outdoor-Inspired Variant)
Launched in 2022, the FunCross variant adds a crossover-inspired look, tailored for young drivers or families wanting a rugged aesthetic in a compact form. It includes distinct bumpers, body cladding, roof rails, and bold color schemes.

Engine Options: 658cc KF I3 (NA or turbocharged)

Target Market: Active urban users seeking SUV styling in a kei car

Unique Appeal: Blends kei car functionality with crossover flair

2024 Daihatsu Tanto Interior

Legroom & Space

Despite its ultra-compact exterior, the 2024 Daihatsu Tanto delivers remarkable interior spaciousness, thanks to its tall, upright design and clever packaging. The cabin offers excellent headroom and a flat floor that enhances legroom for both front and rear passengers. While it’s technically a kei car, the Tanto feels airy and unconstrained inside—capable of comfortably seating four adults for city commuting or short trips.

Rear sliding doors and a wide opening front passenger seat (in models with the “miracle open door” configuration) allow easy ingress and egress, making the Tanto especially practical for families, seniors, and urban drivers.Even in entry-level trims, the Tanto features a thoughtfully laid-out interior with quality materials relative to the segment. Soft-touch panels, neatly integrated switchgear, and a clean dashboard design contribute to an uncluttered, user-friendly feel. Higher grades like the Custom RS and FunCross Turbo add premium touches such as gloss black or metallic trim accents, leather-wrapped steering wheels, and synthetic leather seat materials.

Standard equipment includes manual climate control, power windows, and a multi-function digital display. Mid and upper trims step things up with automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-start ignition, steering wheel controls, and power sliding rear doors.

Cabin Storage

Storage is a strong point in the Tanto. The dashboard features multiple storage trays and cubbies, including an open glove shelf and under-dash storage bins. Large door pockets, seatback pockets, and center console compartments provide ample room for small-item storage. Rear passengers also benefit from flat floors and additional hooks and trays for bags or personal items.

Boot Space

The rear cargo area offers enough space for everyday tasks such as grocery runs or school drop-offs. While compact car constraints limit outright cargo capacity, the rear seats fold flat to create a usable, low-load floor for bulkier items. In select trims, seat-slide and seat-tumble functions enable greater flexibility when transporting larger or taller objects.

Safety Features

All 2024 Tanto models come equipped with Daihatsu’s Smart Assist suite as standard. This includes forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and pedal misapplication control. Higher trims add adaptive cruise control, rear sonar sensors, and a panoramic parking camera system to aid with urban maneuvering. The inclusion of these features across much of the lineup makes the Tanto one of the safest kei cars available.

2024 Daihatsu Tanto Exterior

The 2024 Daihatsu Tanto exemplifies Japan’s minimalist, function-forward approach to vehicle design—where every shape serves a purpose. While classified as a kei car, the Tanto carries a distinctive, upright presence with just enough personality to set it apart on busy urban streets.

At the front, the Tanto adopts a clean and friendly face. Depending on the grade, it features either a simple horizontal grille with halogen headlights or a more dramatic fascia with large gloss-black grille elements, integrated LED lighting, and vertical DRLs in higher trims like the Custom RS and FunCross Turbo. The Custom models carry a sleek, urban aesthetic, while the FunCross adds rugged-style accents and contrasting cladding for a more outdoorsy, crossover-inspired look.

From the side, the Tanto is unmistakably boxy—but purposefully so. Its tall profile and sliding rear doors are key to its exceptional interior space and ease of use. Distinctive character lines, functional door-mounted mirrors, and a high roofline reflect its mission as a practical people-mover. Alloy wheels range from 13 to 15 inches depending on trim, with FunCross models gaining unique two-tone finishes and higher-profile tires for added ground clearance.

The rear design is clean and upright, with vertical taillights extending up the D-pillars to emphasize the car’s height. The Custom and FunCross trims introduce LED tail lighting elements, spoilers, and subtle garnish details to elevate the look.

2024 Daihatsu Tanto Fuel Consumption

Naturally Aspirated 658cc Engine: ~20.0–21.5 km/L (WLTC mode)
Turbocharged 658cc Engine: ~18.5–19.8 km/L (WLTC mode)

The turbo variants provide extra responsiveness without a significant compromise in fuel efficiency, especially when driven in stop-and-go traffic conditions typical of urban Japan.

2024 Daihatsu Tanto Acceleration

NA 658cc Engine: 0–100 km/h in ~15.0 seconds
Turbo 658cc Engine: 0–100 km/h in ~11.5 seconds

2024 Daihatsu Tanto Fuel Tank Capacity; 30 liters

Ground Clearance

Tanto Standard/Custom: 150 mm
Tanto FunCross: 170 mm

The extra clearance in FunCross models is especially useful for rough urban roads, steep driveways, or light country driving.

Service Intervals

Minor Service: At 5,000 km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, and Engine Oil.
Major Service: At 10,000km. Requires Air Cleaner, Oil Filter, Fuel Filter, ATF Filter, Cabin Filter, Plugs, Front Brake Pads, Rear Brake Pads, ATF Oil, and Engine Oil.

Stability and Handling

The 2024 Daihatsu Tanto is designed primarily for urban use, and it delivers a stable, predictable, and comfortable driving experience within that context. Built on Daihatsu’s DNGA (Daihatsu New Global Architecture) platform, the Tanto benefits from a low center of gravity, improved chassis rigidity, and suspension tuning aimed at city comfort.

Steering is light and responsive—ideal for tight city streets and parking garages—while body roll is well-managed for a tall kei car. The suspension absorbs potholes and uneven surfaces smoothly, prioritizing passenger comfort over sportiness. Stability is enhanced in higher trims with electronic stability control (VSC) and traction control (TRC) as standard.

Despite its narrow footprint and tall design, the Tanto remains composed in windy conditions or when passing larger vehicles on the highway, especially in turbocharged variants.

Engine and Performance

The 2024 Tanto is available with two 658cc three-cylinder petrol engine configurations:

Naturally Aspirated (NA) – Ideal for low-speed city driving. Power delivery is smooth but modest, suiting those prioritizing efficiency and ease of operation.
Turbocharged – Found in Custom RS and FunCross Turbo trims, this version offers more responsive acceleration, making it better for drivers who occasionally venture onto highways or hilly terrain.

For more information on this, we have prepared a separate Buyer’s Guide with full details. Click here to purchase the Buyer’s Guide.

Both engine types are paired with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) for seamless operation and improved fuel economy. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard, while 4WD is available on select trims in Japan for added grip in wet or snowy regions.

While it’s not built for speed, the turbo Tanto can handle daily commuting, light inclines, and highway cruising with ease, especially given the car’s lightweight design.

Reliability

Daihatsu vehicles are known for simplicity, efficiency, and long-term reliability, and the Tanto is no exception. Engineered for Japan’s demanding urban driving conditions, the Tanto’s components are designed to last with minimal maintenance.

The DNGA platform brings improvements in safety, serviceability, and durability over past generations. Owners in Japan and Southeast Asia frequently report low ownership costs, minimal mechanical issues, and strong parts availability through Toyota-affiliated service networks.

Routine maintenance is simple and inexpensive, especially with regular oil changes, CVT inspections, and filter replacements at the recommended 5,000–10,000 km intervals.

Resale Value: Good

Daihatsu Tanto Competitors

Honda N-BOX
Suzuki Spacia
Nissan Roox
Mitsubishi eK Space

What We Like About the Daihatsu Tanto

Extremely spacious and clever interior for its size
Sliding rear doors and “miracle open door” enhance accessibility
Strong fuel economy and low running costs
Turbo trims offer decent performance for highway use
Proven reliability under Toyota’s umbrella

What We Don’t

Naturally aspirated engine can feel underpowered on hills or highways
Cargo space is limited with all seats in use

Conclusion

The 2024 Daihatsu Tanto proves that compact cars can be more than just bare-bones city tools—they can be smart, spacious, and even a little stylish. With its upright design, sliding doors, and surprising comfort, it excels in tight city environments. Turbo models bring added versatility, while the DNGA platform ensures a modern, stable ride.

For buyers in Japan or markets importing used Japanese vehicles, the Tanto is a standout compact-class option. It’s ideal for families, seniors, and urban professionals seeking a compact, affordable, and ultra-practical daily driver.

If you are looking to import the Daihatsu Tanto to Kenya, click here to fill out our contact form, and we will get back to you immediately, or email us directly via [email protected].