Daihatsu Atrai for Sale

A Hijet built for people

The Atrai started in September 1981 as the Hijet Atrai Van and became a badge in its own right in October 1983. Ever since, it has been the passenger-oriented half of Daihatsu's kei van line, sold alongside the workmanlike Hijet Cargo.

The suspension is the real difference

On the eighth generation the Atrai (S120/S130) used a three-link independent rear suspension where the equivalent Hijet kept a leaf-sprung live axle. That is a design decision aimed at ride quality with people aboard rather than load capacity, and it is the strongest argument for choosing an Atrai over a Hijet van if you are not hauling weight.

Engines and variants

Daihatsu's EF three-cylinder does the work: the EF-SE at 45 PS, the twelve-valve EF-VE at 53 PS, and the turbocharged EF-DET, with KF-series engines on later cars. The Atrai Classic of October 1997 added leather and keyless entry. The Atrai 7 (S221G) was a different thing altogether — a 1.3-litre K3-VE seven-seater, also sold as the Toyota Sparky.

What is in stock, and what to check

8 Atrai, 1992–2000, $5,410–$11,995: 3 recorded four-wheel drive, 6 manual, 2 automatic. Turbocharged Customs and Classic trims turn up regularly in this nameplate.

Look at the rear suspension mounts and bushes, since this is the part that differs from a Hijet and the part that has been carrying passengers for twenty-five years. Then sliding door tracks, rear floor, and the turbo where fitted. Different states take different views on registering imports, so verify yours in advance. Ask us whenever you want to talk it through.