Kei car vs minivan: how different are the running costs?
Put tax, inspection, fuel and insurance side by side and the yearly difference becomes clear. We sort out how to choose from the size of your family and how far you drive.
We are asked very often, "Should I choose a kei car or a minivan?" The surest way is to compare not only the price of the car but the cost of keeping it.
Breakdown of the costs
- Automobile tax: 10,800 yen a year for a kei car. For a standard car it depends on engine size.
- Vehicle inspection: weight tax and compulsory insurance vary with the weight of the car, so heavier cars cost more.
- Fuel: the longer you drive, the more the difference in fuel economy matters.
- Voluntary insurance: it varies with the model, your grade and the age of the drivers.
A guide to choosing
If you mainly commute and shop and one or two people travel, a kei car has the advantage. If you regularly take children to school or travel as a whole family, the room of a three-row car is often worth the difference in running costs.
We always keep more than 400 cars in stock, from kei cars to minivans, SUVs and imported cars. Once we know how you use a car, we can suggest candidates that fit your budget.