Daihatsu new Tanto/Subaru new Chiffon (LA650/660S)

The Daihatsu Tanto, known for its signature pillarless Raku-Raku Door on the passenger side, is now on its fourth generation (second generation if you're a Subarist who called this kei minivan the Chiffon), and this new version marks the turning point for Daihatsu because this is the first to don the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture platform, which is just like Toyota's TNGA, only compact. More for that later on but right now, let's look at the new model which starts below the 1.3 million yen mark.

2020 Daihatsu Tanto

2020 Subaru Chiffon

2020 Subaru Chiffon

Like previous generations, the Tanto (or Chiffon for Subarists) is offered in two distinct versions such as the normal Tanto with looks reminiscent of the first-generation Tanto and the Tanto Custom, which is like the little brother of the 3-box hatchback brothers (namely Toyota's Roomy and Tank, Daihatsu's Thor, and Subaru's Justy of course). Either way, these kei minivans stay true to their kei car sizing fit enough for the Japanese suburbs and city streets.

2020 Daihatsu Tanto interior

2020 Subaru Chiffon interior

As a tall kei minivan, the new Tanto's interior is still as tall as the predecessors, of course, meaning there's a lot of room for the six-footers in the club and because it retains the signature pillarless door on the passenger side, it still feels easy to get out of like a glove. As an all-purpose kei car, the new Tanto (Chiffon) has various seating arrangements that will suit their needs, be it for personal or for business use. Whichever you want to do with it, you should be thankful that the new Tanto (Chiffon) does all the stuff like a normal van do in its everyday life.

Now, let's talk more about the Daihatsu New Global Architecture that the new model has and like the TNGA from Toyota, the DNGA platform is a flexible platform that accommodates the new model's design, powertrain, and dynamics. Not only the new platform made it more lively to drive with, but it also made it more fuel efficient than the previous model. With the DNGA platform, 660cc KF-series engine, and a CVT gearbox, it promises a combined fuel economy of 21.2km/L by WLTC mode standards, the same as today's Mitsubishi eK Wagon of course.

In the importance of safety, the new model features an improved Smart Assist with numerous preventive safety features applied all over the kei minivan, be it standard or optional, that will give owners much-needed confidence to drive in a relaxing manner from the beginning to the end of the day. Nothing delightful about the tech but it sure is worth an obvious feat.

The new Tanto (Chiffon) truly is a turning point for a company that makes small cars that can rival Suzuki's Spacia range because of its new platform, new tech, new design, and new interior, while retaining the signature pillarless door on the passenger side that makes the Tanto a Tanto. There's so much to talk about the new model but it's best to leave it for now.

Photo: Daihatsu/Subaru

Subaru Chiffon

By surprise, Subaru managed to borrow the current-generation Tanto compact minivan from Daihatsu, which is now under the control of Toyota Motor Corporation, just to sell it from the dealership as the new Chiffon, a sweet named for a borrowed Tanto kei minivan.

2017 Subaru Chiffon

2017 Subaru Chiffon Custom

As you may know, the new Subaru Chiffon borrows the recently facelifted Daihatsu Tanto for this and just like the Tanto, the Chiffon offers two different styles that suit their individualities. There's the standard Chiffon for the basic and then there's the Chiffon Custom for those who want to express themselves anywhere.

2017 Subaru Chiffon interior

2017 Subaru Chiffon Custom interior

Whichever Chiffon they would choose, they would still be welcomed by the tall and wide space for the interior that is tall enough for a basketball player to get in without compromise. There's even the pillarless sliding door on the passenger side just like the Tanto, which allows freedom to get in and out of the car without compromise. With practicality mainly focused on this car, the Chiffon, despite its sizing, can be a decent family car full-stop for those who got recently married and had kids for the very first time, or a car fit for a night out on a town with your mates who want to see some concerts, movies, any nightlife-related stuff they know about.

2017 Subaru Chiffon

Just like the Tanto, the new Subaru Chiffon's 660cc engine comes with the latest e:S Technology from the Pleo+, which is a borrowed Daihatsu Mira e:S, capable of bringing a fuel economy of 28.0km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. As for the Custom models, everyone knows that variants like these are offered with an exclusive turbocharged 660cc engine for 64PS of power output, nippy enough for the people on the go.

And then goes to the safety part of the car and just like the Tanto, the Chiffon is offered with SMART ASSIST 3, which improves the previous SMART ASSIST II features by giving it the world's smallest stereo cameras that can detect moving objects even more accurately without interfering with the driver's view and overhead space. It even comes with a collision warning function, lane departure warning, false start suppression control function, preceding vehicle start notification, and auto high beam. Just so you know.

The new Subaru Chiffon starts at 1,285,200 Yen for the base model while the Chiffon Custom starts at 1,617,840 Yen. Sounds reasonable for a Subaru-badged Daihatsu Tanto sold at most Subaru dealerships.

Photo: Fuji Heavy Industries, Ltd.