DNGA-based Daihatsu Tanto Fun Cross goes on sale in Japan­

Who says you can’t have a fun, practical compact car amidst all these strict emission and powertrain regulations? What better than a super compact, crossover-looking kei car that not only complies with the aforementioned restrictions, but actually a fun-looking one?

Meet the Daihatsu Tanto Fun Cross, a new variant of Daihatsu’s best-selling model that just launched itself into the Japanese market earlier this week. In Fun Cross form as featured, the Tanto comes dressed in a funky new design that exudes a fun and adventurous mood whilst keeping the similar performance components as its predecessors under the hood.

On the styling front, the Tanto Fun Cross boasts an aggressive, SUV-esque façade. It also trades away its predecessor’s MPV-like looks and chrome-finished front bumper for a new and more rugged front bumper and grille combination with black finishing. Similarly, the rear bumper also features blackened trims with an addition of a rugged, steel-finished bottom part akin to those found in various crossover SUVs nowadays.

To add, Daihatsu also offers a two-tone colour option for the new Fun Cross, as well as a black-finished roof plus front and middle pillars. The addition of roof rails not only fits the overall rugged image, it’s also a functional addition. The LED fog lights and 15-inch gunmetal painted wheels completes the overall adventurous look of this fun-looking kei car.

On board, the cabin remains unchanged from the base Tanto, though it does get contrasting orange accents across as well as optional camo-like fabric seat upholstery.

The fourth-generation base Tanto that the Fun Cross underpins was first launched back in 2019. Its powertrain consists of a 658cc 3-cyl KF engine available in both naturally-aspirated and turbocharged forms, outputting 52 HP and 64 HP respectively. As standard, the Fun Cross variant sees its powertrains standard-equipped with a CVT gearbox, whilst all-wheel drive is offered as an option.

Interestingly, being based on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform means the Tanto is closely related to both the Perodua Alza and Ativa. Wouldn’t it be great if said second national carmaker chooses to localise the Tanto as a spiritual successor to its famed Kenari? Let us know your thoughts on that in the comments below…