Daihatsu · 1995–present

Daihatsu Move

The Daihatsu Move (Japanese: ダイハツ・ムーヴ, Hepburn: Daihatsu Mūvu) is a kei car/city car manufactured by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu between 1995 and 2023, and was reintroduced in 2025. The Move is Daihatsu's response to the similarly designed Suzuki Wagon R that was introduced two years earlier in 1993. The first Move was designed by Italian design house I.DE.A Institute and succeeding generations continued to build upon the original design. The Move is built upon the chassis of the Mira but with a taller body.

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First generation (L600; 1995)

The first-generation Move was designed by I.DE.A in Turin, Italy. It was marketed with a 659 cc three-cylinder engine in Japan and with an 847 cc (51.7 cu in) ED-20 engine in export markets. The Japanese domestic market models were internally designated L600, or L610 when equipped with four-wheel drive system; export models were internally designated L601. The Move was also offered with the turbocharged 659 cc JB-JL all-aluminium four-cylinder engine producing 64 PS (47 kW; 63 hp) and using the internal designation L602; this version was available with front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. This four-cylinder version was originally the only version of the Move which was available with a four-speed automatic transmission; in May 1996 this became available with the turbocharged three-cylinder engine and proceeded to gradually spread downwards through the grades. The export model's ED-20 engine produced 44 PS (32 kW; 43 hp), offering more torque than the naturally aspirated 660 cc engines thanks to the larger displacement. The turbocharged engine was not offered in Europe due to its excessive emissions. The export model has a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph), 125 km/h (78 mph) in the version with an automatic transmission. In late 1997, a variant marketed as the Move Custom was introduced with larger headlamps and revised front styling, and was available in subsequent generations. Daihatsu produced more than half a million L600/L610 Move models, mostly in Japan. It was imported to Europe, including the UK.

Second generation (L900; 1998)

The second-generation Move was introduced in October 1998. Power of the Japanese market engines are 45 PS (33 kW) for the basic EF-SE, 58 PS (43 kW) for the 12-valve EF-VE and 64 PS (47 kW) for the turbocharged EF-DET and JB-DET engines. In May 1999 a Hello Kitty special edition, targeted at female drivers, was introduced. This was based on the CL model and was fitted with Hello Kitty emblems, decals, seat covers, and gauges. It also received a front bench seat, unlike other standard Moves, and the door lock knobs were shaped like the Sanrio character. A CVT option was added to the Move CX and Z4 models at the same time. The second-generation Move received a minor facelift in October 2000. The Move models were divided into two models. The base model was called the Casual, while the sportier model was called the Custom. It featured a collision-safe body called "TAF" (Total Advanced Function), dual airbags for all models. Furthermore, the 2WD "Aero Down Custom" offered DVS (Daihatsu Vehicle Stability control system) as an option, which combined ABS, TCS, and yaw control. Other changes include a revised bumper (with additional vents at the front, redesigned marker lights at the rear) and redesigned single-piece taillights. The taillights on the Move Custom were also extended downward. The second-generation Move was also marketed in Malaysia with slight modifications as the Perodua Kenari.

Third generation (L150; 2002)

The third-generation Move was introduced in October 2002 and has a rounded derivative called Move Latte. The side opening rear gate was retained, but a top-hinged rear door was available as an option. The model code was L150, with L160 signifying four-wheel drive (only available with the EF engine) and L152 indicating that the car had the JB family four-cylinder engine. In addition to the regular Move series, there was again a sportier Move Custom, which received more aggressive looking twin headlights with semi-circular cutouts in the front bumper. The range included the L, X, and R (turbocharged), either as Move or Move Custom, with the Move Custom RS and RS Limited with sports suspension at the top of the price list. The RS models with front-wheel drive were the only models which were fitted with the four-cylinder, all-aluminium JB-JL engine. A host of special editions became available soon after introduction. The lineup received a gentle facelift in December 2004, along with minor reshuffling of the trim variants. The grille, bumpers, and taillights were redesigned, with the grille no longer extending downwards into the front bumper. The Move R was discontinued and replaced by the lower-cost L-Turbo, while the Move Custom RS Limited was removed from the price lists. The manual transmission option was restricted to the Move L (front- or four-wheel drive). Special editions kept appearing at a steady pace until the third generation was replaced in October 2006, after over 650,000 examples had been built.

Fourth generation (L175; 2006)

The fourth-generation Move was introduced in October 2006 and its design was a departure from the boxy look of the previous generations. A KF-VE-type non-turbo engine and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) were available on this model; a turbocharged engine remained an option for the Move Custom. The L175 has a derivative called Move Conte. In December 2008, the Move received a small facelift, including new grilles and head- and taillights. The interior was also changed and equipment inmproved, with the adjustable package (seat height, tilt steering wheel, and adjustable height shoulder belt) becoming standard across the range. The Custom L was renamed Custom S, while the regular lineup was consolidated from five into three equipment grades. The turbocharged models (Move Custom only) were now only available in conjunction with the CVT transmission.

Fifth generation (LA100; 2010)

The fifth-generation Move was introduced in December 2010. The car is also sold by Subaru as the second-generation Subaru Stella (Japanese: スバル・ステラ, Subaru Sutera) through an OEM agreement. In an effort to further improve fuel economy, the new Move was equipped with idle-stop technology and it was 35 kg (77 lb) lighter than the fourth generation. These efficiencies and parts reductions also lowered the cost of manufacture by about ten percent, allowing Daihatsu to lower prices while increasing equipment over the previous generation. The interior featured a symmetrical dashboard with a central cluster of gauges, and a sliding rear seat which allowed users to increase the space of the cargo compartment. In December 2012, the Move received a light facelift, with a redesigned, blockier front end and new taillights. At the interior, the dashboard was redesigned, with the gauges moved in front of the driver rather than the original, center cluster layout. The air conditioning vents were moved, while additional storage cubbies were provided. Daihatsu's "Smart Assist" collision avoidance system was new, and a first for the kei class. The engine incorporated new emissions strategies such as Eco Idle and thermal control of the engine and CVT transmission, developed for the most recent Mira e:S. Aerodynamics were also improved, while the fuel tank was shrunk - from 36 to 30 L (9.5 to 7.9 US gal). The Move Custom received larger taillights which extended to incorporate the roof spoiler. The Custom's bold appearance with significant chrome elements also continued; at the interior there were different gauges with chrome bezels and bespoke upholstery with a shimmering appearance. Period testers did note that the Custom's gauges were harder to read than the standard units, while the se

Sixth generation (LA150; 2014)

The sixth-generation Move was introduced in Japan on 12 December 2014, along with the third-generation Stella. This generation features a lightweight high-rigidity body structure with a reinforced underbody, improved suspension system, and a power mode-switching steering switch that allows drivers to change the control of the engine and CVT at the touch of a button. It has a derivative called the Move Canbus. Fuel economy is claimed at 31 km/L (88 mpg‑imp; 73 mpg‑US) while turbocharged models (Custom models only) delivering 27.4 km/L (77 mpg‑imp; 64 mpg‑US). In October 2015, the 20th Anniversary Gold Edition SA II was unveiled. based on Custom RS SA II grade, featuring 20th anniversary emblems, gold-painted front grille, door handles, and gold-painted alumunium wheels. In August 2017, the Move get a minor facelift. The grade lineup has been simplified, with the Move now offering five grades: L, L "SA III", X, X "SA III", and X Turbo SA III, while the Custom offered three grades: X, X Limited SA III. The sixth-generation Move was discontinued on 29 June 2023 along with several other Daihatsu models, amidst the scandal involving rigged safety tests at Daihatsu. Daihatsu Move Subaru Stella

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