2025 Daihatsu Mira: The Ultimate Urban Kei Car?

1. Overview

The 2025 Daihatsu Mira (especially the Mira e:S iteration) remains one of the most compelling kei cars on the Japanese domestic market. It’s compact, efficient, affordable, and highly practical — all qualities that appeal strongly to city drivers, first-time car owners, and delivery vehicle operators alike.

Although the basic formula hasn’t changed dramatically in recent years, Daihatsu continues refining the Mira’s fuel economy, safety systems, and trim options. In 2025, we see the latest generation of the LA350/LA300 series, including new “GR Sport” concept variants and a strong emphasis on “eco & smart” driving. Wikipedia+2Carscoops+2

2. Exterior Design

• The Mira retains its ultra-compact footprint: approximately 3,395 mm long × 1,475 mm wide × 1,510 mm tall. Automobile Catalog+2LuxuryX+2

• Styling is clean and modern. The front end tends toward a simple grille setup and angular headlights, giving it a smart, slightly aggressive kei-car look without going overboard.

• Daihatsu also previewed a sporty Mira e:S Turbo Concept at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025, complete with a more aggressive bumper, side gills, alloy wheels, and GR Sport branding. Carscoops

• Color options and trim styling vary by market, but the Mira often comes in cheerful compact-car tones — bright pastels, two-tone options, and clean hatchback proportions that maximize space in minimal volume.

Overall: it looks like a sensible, friendly city car, and there are sport-styled variants if you want a bit more flair without sacrificing size or efficiency.

3. Powertrain & Performance

Here’s where the Mira really shines:

• The engine is a tiny 658 cc (or 660 cc) three-cylinder petrol unit — usually the KF-series engine. Car From Japan+3Wikipedia+3Automobile Catalog+3

• Power output is modest but appropriate: roughly 49 PS (≈48 hp / 36 kW) in typical non-turbo versions. Wikipedia+4Wikipedia+4Automobile Catalog+4

• Torque figures hover around 60 Nm. Wikipedia+3LuxuryX+3Wikipedia+3

• Transmission choices often include a CVT automatic for ease of driving, and there are sometimes 5-speed manual options or all-wheel drive (depending on trim). Wikipedia+3Automobile Catalog+3LuxuryX+3

• Daihatsu has continually optimized the fuel economy. The Mira e:S models boast an impressive ~30 to 34 km/L in the Japanese JC08 cycle, depending on drive layout (FWD or AWD) and trim. Automobile Catalog+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3

• In real-world driving, expect slightly lower but still excellent fuel efficiency — often in the 25–30 km/L range when driven conservatively around town.

Performance is hardly thrilling, but that’s not the point. The Mira is tuned for low-speed city driving, tight turning radii, maneuverability, and maximum economy. It does all that very well. Smaller engine means lighter vehicle mass (often under 800 kg), which helps with agility and economy.

If you want a twist, the Mira e:S Turbo Concept suggests a sportier future: a turbocharged version of the 660cc engine, with a manual gearbox and possibly GR Sport suspension tweaks. Carscoops

4. Interior & Practicality

• Inside, the Mira is minimalist but surprisingly well thought-out. Daihatsu has always focused on efficient packaging, and the Mira is a masterclass in maximizing usable space in a very small footprint.

• Dashboard layouts are simple, with a digital or semi-digital instrument cluster, a central touchscreen or infotainment option, and a gear selector positioned high on the dash for ease of access and legroom. Wikipedia+2Automobile Catalog+2

• Seating is upright, with good visibility in all directions. The rear seats fold flat to increase cargo space, and there are a surprising number of small storage cubbies for a car this size.

• Trim levels matter: the XXX grade or SA III trims often include eco-idle (stop-start systems), better upholstery, improved infotainment, and safety features (more below). LuxuryX+2TopCar+2

• Noise insulation is modest — typical for kei cars — so you'll hear traffic and road noise more than in a larger sedan. But the trade-off for light weight and economy is acceptable, especially if you're mostly doing short trips around the city.

If you’re coming from a larger car or even a small hatchback, you will notice the limited legroom, but the trade-offs are clear: compact footprint, great fuel economy, easy parking, and very low operating cost.

5. Fuel Economy & Running Costs

This is where the Mira really makes its case:

• Fuel consumption figures of 30 km/L or better in Japanese test cycles are impressive, and real-world figures still tend to be very strong, particularly in city driving where stop-start and light weight play to the Mira’s strengths. Car From Japan+3Wikipedia+3LuxuryX+3

• Insurance, taxes, and maintenance are relatively low. Kei cars attract tax advantages in Japan, and many of those efficiencies translate when these cars are imported overseas.

• Parts and servicing tend to be relatively cheap, and because the Mira is simple mechanically (no big engine, no heavy hybrid systems), maintenance tends to be straightforward.

• Overall cost of ownership is one of the Mira’s biggest selling points — ideal for someone who wants a low-cost daily driver, a second car for city chores, or a practical small-business vehicle.

6. Safety and Driver Aids

• The Mira e:S generation often comes equipped with Daihatsu’s Smart Assist system, which includes features like emergency automatic braking, lane-departure warnings, and pedestrian detection (depending on trim). Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

• Higher trims may include better airbags, improved braking systems (ABS is commonly available), and some driver assistance features. Car From Japan+2LuxuryX+2

• Of course, we must keep expectations realistic: this is still a kei car with much lighter crash structures than larger vehicles, so safety is relative. But Daihatsu has made significant progress in recent years in improving passive safety and driver aids even in such compact cars.

7. Who Is It For?

The 2025 Mira is clearly aimed at:

• City dwellers who need a car that can navigate narrow streets, tight parking spaces, and frequent stops

• Drivers who care deeply about fuel economy and low running costs

• People looking for a second car, a commuter vehicle, or delivery/light-business use

• Enthusiasts of Japanese kei cars, especially those who want a cost-effective import (or who just value practicality above performance)

• Drivers who want a simple, reliable, no-frills transportation solution with low environmental impact

It’s not ideal for:

• Long highway cruising (limited engine power, small displacement, and light insulation)

• Transporting large cargo or more than four people comfortably over long distances

• Drivers who demand sporty performance, heavy insulation, or luxury comfort

8. Strengths & Weaknesses

StrengthsWeaknessesExceptional fuel economy, very low running costsModest power, limited accelerationVery small footprint makes parking and maneuvering easyLimited interior space, especially for taller passengersLightweight, simple mechanical systemsNoise insulation and ride comfort are modestGood reliability and low maintenance burdenLimited crash protection compared to larger carsAvailable in sporty trims or concepts for style seekersNot ideal for long-distance highway travel