Daihatsu Hijet S201P/S211P Guide (UK, 2026): Engine, 4WD, Import

The Daihatsu Hijet S201P / S211P is the mid-generation Hijet truck — built from 2004 to 2014, common in the UK import market, and, optioned right, arguably the most capable kei truck off-road thanks to its diff-lock 4WD. It also has the best UK dealer and parts network of any kei truck, which makes it an easy one to live with.

This is the long version: the engine change that decides your maintenance bills, the 4WD system, the Jumbo-vs-standard-cab trade-off, and importing one in 2026.

The short version: 658cc, ~50–53 PS, engine under the seats, 350 kg payload. Two engines: early (2004–2007) EF-VE has a timing belt; later (2007–2014) KF-VE has a timing chain — prefer the chain. S201P = 2WD, S211P = 4WD. Every example is now over 10 years old, so it imports MOT-only (no IVA). The 5MT 4WD with a diff lock is the off-road pick of the kei class.

Image to addA Daihatsu Hijet S211P 4WD kei truck on a farm track, three-quarter front viewThe S201P/S211P: the workhorse Hijet, and a serious little off-roader.

What is the Daihatsu Hijet S201P / S211P?

This is the December 2004 facelift of the 9th-generation Hijet truck, which stayed in production until August 2014 — a remarkable 15-year run for the bodyshell. It sits between the earlier S200P/S210P (1999–2004) and the current S500P/S510P (2014–present), and it's the generation you'll most often find in the UK: old enough to clear the 10-year import rule, recent enough to have the modern KF engine.

The codes are simple once you know them: S201P is 2WD, S211P is 4WD. It was also rebadged as the Toyota Pixis Truck (S201U/S211U, 2011–2014) and, from 2012, the Subaru Sambar Truck became a Hijet rebadge too — both share parts. (Note: the older Subaru Sambar TT1/TT2 is a totally different, rear-engined vehicle and shares nothing.)

The engine change — the most important thing to know

This generation used two different engines, and the difference matters for your wallet:

| | EF-VE (2004–2007) | KF-VE (2007–2014) | |---|---|---| | Code prefix on the plate | TE- | EBD- | | Power | ~53 PS | ~50–53 PS | | Torque | 64 N·m | 64 N·m | | Timing drive | Belt | Chain | | Emissions | Euro 3/4 | Euro 4 |

The headline: the EF-VE uses a cambelt that needs replacing roughly every 60,000–100,000 km — so an early truck with unknown belt history is a job waiting to happen (not a deal-breaker, but budget for it). The later KF-VE uses a timing chain with no scheduled replacement. For most UK buyers the EBD-prefixed KF truck (2008 on) is the one to target — chain timing, Euro 4, modern.

Both engines sit under the front seats (tip the seat bases to access them), the classic Hijet cab-over layout. The KF-VE is DOHC, 12-valve with variable valve timing — don't be fooled by the odd YouTube title calling it SOHC; the official specs confirm DOHC.

Image to addThe KF-VE engine of a Daihatsu Hijet accessed under the tipped-forward cab seatsEngine lives under the seats. Later trucks get the chain-driven KF.

The 4WD system — the Hijet's trump card

Optioned correctly, this is the strongest off-road kei truck in the class:

Part-time, selectable 4WD — 2WD on the road, 4WD for the rough
Hi/Lo transfer case on the 5-speed manual — real low-range crawl ability
Rear diff lock on "Extra"-grade 4WD trucks — locks the rear axle so a lifted wheel can't spin uselessly

That diff lock is the difference-maker. A 5MT S211P Extra with the diff lock genuinely out-climbs a standard Suzuki Carry 4WD that lacks one. If serious off-road matters to you, this is the spec to hunt for — and you want the manual, because the automatic 4WD trucks are generally high-range only (no proper low range).

Don't bank on the "Climber" badge for this generation. The famous Climber trim (lifted, Hi/Lo, diff lock) is well documented on the older 1990s Hijet. For 2004–2014 trucks the same capability is found under the Extra grade rather than a "Climber" badge — so buy on the actual fitment (confirm Hi/Lo and diff lock on the specific truck), not the name.

Jumbo vs standard cab

The Jumbo is the extended-cab Hijet and the UK import community's favourite — but there's a real trade-off:

| | Standard cab | Jumbo cab | |---|---|---| | Cab | Tight | Longer, reclining seats, behind-seat storage | | Bed length | ~1,940 mm | ~1,700 mm | | Best for | Cargo, sleeping platforms | Comfort, long drives |

The Jumbo's extra cab room comes straight out of the bed (the wheelbase is unchanged). So for a flatbed camper/sleeping platform, the standard cab's longer bed wins; for comfort on long drives, the Jumbo is lovely. A rough rule for a bed-sleeping build: standard cab suits adults up to ~6ft; the Jumbo's 1,700 mm bed is comfortable up to ~5'7".

Specifications

| Specification | S201P / S211P (standard cab) | |---|---| | Engine | EF-VE (to 2007) / KF-VE (2007 on), 658cc DOHC 12v | | Power | ~50–53 PS | | Layout | Under-seat engine, RWD / selectable 4WD | | Transmission | 5-speed manual / 3- or 4-speed auto | | Length × Width × Height | 3,395 × 1,475 × 1,780 mm | | Wheelbase | 1,900 mm | | Kerb weight | ~770–810 kg | | Payload (rated) | 350 kg | | Bed (standard / Jumbo) | ~1,940 mm / ~1,700 mm long | | Ground clearance | 160 mm (stock) | | Tyres | 145R12 / 155/80 R12 |

Top speed and UK road use

Figures are near-identical to the Suzuki Carry's K6A, and so is the reality:

Comfortable cruising: 43–53 mph (70–85 km/h)
60 mph (dual carriageway): doable on the flat, harder up hills or into wind
70 mph: brief bursts only — not a sustained-motorway truck

There's no turbo version of this truck (the turbo KF lives in the Hijet van and the later S500 truck). For farm and estate use it's perfect; for regular 40+ mile A-road runs it'll do it but won't love it. Be realistic — this is the platform's main UK weakness.

Off-road capability vs the rivals

Honestly assessed: a 5MT S211P Extra (diff lock + Hi/Lo), lifted on AT tyres, is the most capable kei truck off-road in this class. Versus a Suzuki Carry it matches the Hi/Lo and beats a non-diff-lock Carry on traction; versus a Honda Acty it's better documented and far better supported for parts and lift kits. Stock ground clearance (160 mm) and the narrow 12" tyres are the weak points — a lift and bigger rubber transform it (see below).

Image to addA lifted Daihatsu Hijet S211P 4WD on chunky tyres climbing a muddy off-road trackWith the diff lock and a lift, it punches well above its size.

Importing a Hijet S201P/S211P to the UK in 2026

The easy bit: the whole generation (2004–2014) is now over 10 years old, so every example imports on a standard MOT — no IVA test required. Same straightforward position as the DA63T Carry and DA64V Every.

The process: buy and export from Japan (already RHD), ship, submit NOVA within 14 days, pass an MOT (fit a rear fog light first), then register with DVLA on a V55/5. At 12–20 years old, condition is everything — lean on the auction sheet and a proper rust inspection.

A genuine Hijet advantage: the UK specialist network is the best in the kei world (Motoyama, UK Mini Trucks and others), so you can buy one already registered, MOT'd and warranted without managing the import yourself.

Tax and duty — check, don't assume. VAT is 20% on the landed (CIF) value. Import duty is the moving part: from January 2026 the UK–Japan trade agreement zero-rated duty on many Japan-built cars, but goods vehicles like a kei truck may be classified differently (N1) and still attract duty. Confirm the commodity code and rate with HMRC or your customs agent before committing.

ULEZ, tax and insurance

ULEZ. Read the plate prefix: EBD- trucks (Dec 2007 on, KF engine) are Euro 4 and ULEZ-compliant. The earlier TE- trucks (2004–2007) sit on the Euro 3/4 borderline — check those individually on the TfL checker once registered.

Road tax (VED). As a light goods van budget roughly £180–£270/year; confirm at registration.

Insurance. The Hijet has the best insurance profile in the class — multiple specialists cover it (Adrian Flux, Brentacre, Advance, Graham Sykes), and registering as a commercial (N1) usually means lower premiums. Expect roughly £250–£600/year for typical use.

What to check before you buy

Read the plate prefix first: TE- = EF engine (cambelt — ask for belt history or budget to do it); EBD- = KF engine (chain — preferred).
Early KF oil leaks: the first KF engines (≈2007–2009) are known for seepage around the timing chain cover and head — inspect for fresh sealant or staining up top.
4WD test: engage 4WD (light on), test Hi and Lo through the transfer lever on a manual, and the diff lock at walking pace if fitted.
Rust: chassis rails under the cab, sills and floor pan, cab floor around the engine hatch, bed cross-members, and the rear trailing-arm brackets (structural). Treat northern-Japan trucks with extra caution.
Basics: cold-start idle, coolant condition (the Hijet can air-lock after a coolant top-up), rocker-cover oil leaks, AC.
Paperwork: odometer in km (÷1.609), translated auction sheet (grade 3.5+), confirm 2WD/4WD and cab type from the plate — not just the advert.

What does a Hijet S201P/S211P cost in the UK?

Indicative prices (mid-2026), usually + VAT:

| Spec | Indicative price | |---|---| | S201P 2WD, standard, 5MT | ~£4,500–£7,000 + VAT | | S211P 4WD, standard, 5MT | ~£7,000–£10,000 + VAT | | S211P 4WD, Jumbo, good condition | ~£8,000–£12,000 + VAT |

Value drivers: 4WD, the Jumbo cab, a working diff lock, low genuine km and a clean auction sheet. The S201P/S211P sits in the most accessible price band for a usable kei workhorse.

Overland and build notes

The Hijet has the strongest aftermarket of any kei truck — UK, US and Australian suppliers all make Hijet-specific kit:

Lift kits: a mild 1.5" (38 mm) kit clears 21–22" tyres with little handling impact and is the sensible road-biased choice; 4.5" kits exist (especially for the Jumbo) for serious clearance but need realignment and are best for low-speed use.
Tyres: stock 12" rubber is the limiting factor; 13"/14" upgrades are common — check arch clearance with any lift.
Canopies: steel or aluminium, available through the UK specialists; the standard cab's longer bed makes a better sleeping platform than the Jumbo.
Payload: the usual hard 350 kg ceiling — go aluminium over steel for canopies to save it, and use a DC-DC charger for any second battery.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between the S200P and S201P?

The S200P/S210P (1999–2004) is the earlier 9th-gen truck; the S201P/S211P (2004–2014) is the facelift. Within the S201P era, TE-prefix trucks (2004–2007) have the EF-VE belt engine and EBD-prefix trucks (2007–2014) have the KF-VE chain engine.

Does the Daihatsu Hijet have a diff lock?

Yes — on "Extra"-grade 4WD (S211P) trucks, alongside a Hi/Lo transfer on the manual. It's not on every truck, so confirm it on the specific vehicle.

Is the S201P/S211P turbocharged?

No. There's no turbo version of this truck. The turbo KF engine is found in the Hijet van and the later S500 truck.

Does it need an IVA test to import?

No. Every S201P/S211P is now over 10 years old, so it registers on an MOT.

Is it ULEZ compliant?

EBD-prefix trucks (Dec 2007 on) are Euro 4 and compliant. Earlier TE-prefix (2004–2007) examples should be checked individually.

Looking for one? Browse parts that fit the Hijet, check the accessories, or see the full model page. Want help importing or sourcing a diff-lock truck? Get in touch.

Daihatsu Hijet S201P / S211P: The Complete UK Owner's Guide