Toyota Pixis Joy

Daihatsu's Cast range from last year features an eclectic mix of three versions to choose from such as the chic-friendly Style, the crossover Activa, and the hot hatch Sport. Now, Toyota decided to borrow the Cast range to be sold in all Toyota dealerships as the new Pixis Joy.

2017 Toyota Pixis Joy

The new Pixis Joy ranges from three different versions to choose from, just like the Cast range. There's the F as in fashion, C as in crossover, and S as in Sport. You should be familiar that the F is like the Cast Style, C for Cast Activa, and S for, you guessed it, Cast Sport.

For both the Pixis Joy C and F, is a choice of a KF-VE4 660cc engine that promises 30.0km/L of fuel economy and a KF-VET 660cc turbo engine with a fuel economy of up to 27.0km/L, all mated with a CVT gearbox and some fuel-efficient technology derived from most kei-cars in the lineup. Of course, you can opt in for a four-wheel drive variant when things get a little slippery. For the Pixis Joy S, ot still comes with a KF-VET 660cc turbo engine but because this is a sport-oriented model, even though it comes with a CVT gearbox, there are paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel for added control over its simulated gear changes. However, fuel consumption is around 24.8km/L.

Most Pixis Joy models come with the Smart Assist II consisting of Emergency Stop Signal system, Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, and many other safety tech offered for these models.

The F starts at 1,414,800 Yen while the C starts at 1,517,400 Yen and the S starts at 1,620,000 Yen.

Photo: Toyota Motor Corporation

Daihatsu Cast Sport

If I may be so bold regarding the recently launched Daihatsu Cast, now it's the ideal time to explain more about the third model in the Cast range which consists of the Style, which is a stylish kei car fit for the fashionistas, and the Activa, which is a kei crossover that means business for the young adventurers who love to go out for their lifestyles.

2016 Daihatsu Cast Sport

2016 Daihatsu Cast Sport interior

Called the Cast Sport, this is known to be Daihatsu's response to Suzuki's Alto Turbo RS in the same way the Style responds on the Honda N ONE and the Activa responds to the Suzuki Hustler. Although this is considered to be a half-decent hot hatch for the masses, one look of the Cast Sport and you'll say that is one heck of a racy hot hatch money can buy and yes this is an affordable hot hatch as it starts at just 1,620,000 Yen, which sounds more affordable to buy than any European hot hatches on the market but it's annoyingly 400,000 Yen more than the Alto Turbo RS.

The Cast Sport features a KF-VET 660cc turbo engine as seen on the Style and Activa variants but because this is a sport-oriented model, even though it comes with a CVT gearbox, there are paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel for added control over its simulated gear changes. That sounds like fun but not as fun as its fuel consumption because its 24.8km/L is something what its rival could laugh on because when compared against the Alto Turbo RS, that's 0.8km/L less.

That sounds awkward in terms of performance but just like the Alto Turbo RS, the new Cast Sport still performs very well as a city car and when it comes to driving this small car, this cheeky looking Daihatsu knows that it likes to mess up with the big boys when it comes to a little game of cat and mouse because this little hot kei car likes to be creative enough to outfox the big boys.

Like most Cast models, the Sport comes with Daihatsu's Smart Assist II consisting of Emergency Stop Signal system, Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, and many other safety tech offered.

With the Cast lineup well and truly complete, you now have a choice. So, which would you prefer? The Style which is fashionista-friendly that you can take it on your next shopping trip? The Activa which is the ideal adventure partner on your next day off? Or is it the Sport with its clever tricks up to its sleeve? I'll leave the decision up to you but judging by how far first-time buyers been through to buy one, I'm afraid most of them would go for the Activa for numerous reasons I don't really understand.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.

Daihatsu Cast Style and Cast Activa

It's a casting call for Japan's kei car maker Daihatsu as they've unveiled the new Cast range consisting of the Style, which is more of a successor to the Mira Gino and targets the Honda N-ONE, the Activa, which replaces the Terios Kid and targets the Suzuki Hustler, and a third one coming next one, which I believe to be the target of Suzuki's Alto Turbo RS.

But in the meantime, let's focus more on the two Cast models available for launch, starting with the Cast Style.

2016 Daihatsu Cast Style

2016 Daihatsu Cast Style interior

The Cast Style mimics the look of the old Mira Gino, which is known to be a poor man's Mini Cooper since the Nissan V_r_t_ (sorry, some letters blocked due to search query reasons), and it's a prime target for the female demographics in their adulthood because what they want for a kei car that something more of an accessory rather than a tool. For the Style model, it truly caters the very occasion with its Mira Gino-inspired looks, basic interior design, a choice of three interior accents, and an optional Diatone Sound System Plan with lots of extras too much to mention.

Powering the Cast Style is a choice of a KF-VE4 660cc engine that promises 30.0km/L of fuel economy and a KF-VET 660cc turbo engine with a fuel economy of up to 27.0km/L, all mated with a CVT gearbox and Daihatsu's fuel-efficient e:S technology derived from most kei-cars. Of course, you can opt in for a four-wheel drive variant when things get a little slippery but that 4WD system is best to be equipped to the next Cast lined up.

2016 Daihatsu Cast Activa

2016 Daihatsu Cast Activa interior

This is the Cast Activa, the crossover variant of the Cast and while it may not be as good as the Suzuki Hustler rival in terms of fuel efficiency, it's still the best looking of the kei crossovers. Since the Activa targets solely for the outdoorsy type of youth looking for some R&R, the exterior is well-themed to be more adventurous as well as the darker shade of its interior.

Like the Style model I've mentioned, the Activa is still powered by a choice of a KF-VE4 660cc engine that promises 30.0km/L of fuel economy and a KF-VET 660cc turbo engine with a fuel economy of up to 27.0km/L, all mated with a CVT gearbox and Daihatsu's fuel-efficient e:S technology. Whoa, did I just mentioned that from above? Well, you get the idea but that turbocharged variant of the Activa is incredibly 0.2km/L more than the turbocharged Suzuki Hustler, so it's a dead heat between the two Japanese kei crossovers.

For most models it comes with a very sophisticated front suspension setup, simple monocoque chassis, "D assist" power steering switch that can be turned off or on to take fate of the Cast's handling capabilities, and exclusive for the Activa; the Downhill Assist Control, which helps the Activa to be more efficient in the case of driving downhill.

With safety as its priority one; all Cast models come with Daihatsu's Smart Assist II consisting of Emergency Stop Signal system, Lane Departure Warning, Pedestrian Detection, and many other safety tech offered for these models.

The Cast Style starts from 1,220,400 to 1,641,600 Yen while the Cast Activa starts from 1,220,400 to 1,647,000 Yen respectively, so it is quite much when compared to Honda's N-ONE and the Suzuki Hustler but because these two are showing their ages, best to have one of these and see how the new Cast speaks to you as your starter car if you got yourself a driver's license for the first time.

Photo: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.