Daihatsu Move Canbus

Model Overview

The Daihatsu Move Canbus is a spin-off model under the Daihatsu Move line-up, positioned as a tall-roof Kei wagon (Kei Tall Wagon) with "cute and stylish" aesthetics and "practical versatility" as its core selling points, primarily targeting young female drivers seeking individuality and lifestyle quality. The name "Canbus" blends "CAN" (capable of anything) and "BUS" (bus-like interior space), symbolising a Kei car that offers both multifunctionality and generous cabin space. The first-generation Move Canbus made its official debut in Japan in September 2016, quickly establishing itself as one of the most sought-after MPVs in Japan's Kei car segment, with cumulative first-gen sales surpassing 380,000 units. In 2022, the Move Canbus entered its second generation, built on the new Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform. As of early 2026, the Move Canbus continues to enjoy strong popularity, recording an average monthly sales volume of around 5,590 units, slightly outpacing even the newly revamped Move model introduced in 2025.

Design Language

The exterior of the Move Canbus seamlessly blends retro elements with contemporary design cues. The first-generation model adopted an "active nature" design philosophy, softening the boxy silhouette of a conventional tall wagon with rounded, curvaceous lines. Up front, a semi-circular grille is flanked by squarish LED headlamps and round fog lamps, giving it an adorable and charming visual appeal. The side profile features blacked-out A-, B-, and C-pillars to create a floating roof effect, while the rear mirrors the overall design with clean, squircle-shaped elongated LED tail lamps. The second-generation model retains this iconic silhouette while receiving restyled front and rear LED lighting units, revised bumpers, and a redesigned tailgate.

In terms of dimensions, the first-generation model measures 3,395 mm in length, 1,475 mm in width, and 1,655 mm in height, with a 2,455 mm wheelbase; the second-generation model sees its wheelbase slightly extended to 2,460 mm. Exterior colour choices are extensive, with the first generation offering up to 9 standard paint shades alongside dual-tone colour schemes; the second generation continues this with two distinct styling lines: Stripes (vibrant dual-tone) and Theory (refined monotone). Inside, the cabin features a centrally positioned instrument cluster with a symmetrical dashboard layout, offered in various interior themes including Elegant (dark brown with metallic trim), Bitter (dark brown with black accents), and Relax (white-dominated theme).

Powertrain and Performance

The Move Canbus range is powered exclusively by a 658 cc inline-three DOHC petrol engine complying with Japan's Kei car regulations. The first-generation model was offered solely in naturally aspirated (NA) guise, delivering 52 PS (38 kW) at 6,800 rpm and peak torque of 60 Nm (6.1 kg-m) at 5,200 rpm. The second-generation lineup gained a turbocharged variant, boosting maximum output to 64 PS and peak torque to 100 Nm at 3,600 rpm. A Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is standard across all variants. Drivetrain options include Front-Wheel Drive (FF) and Four-Wheel Drive (4WD). On the fuel economy front, the first-generation FWD variant returned 28.6 km/L under the JC08 test cycle, while the 4WD model achieved 27.4 km/L; the second-generation model delivers a combined WLTC fuel economy of approximately 20.6 km/L.

Chassis and Handling

The first-generation Move Canbus is built on Daihatsu’s "D monocoque" high-rigidity lightweight chassis, paired with a specially tuned "D suspension" setup engineered to effectively reduce head toss at speeds below 30 km/h. The suspension setup comprises front MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam. The second-generation model migrates to the DNGA modular architecture, further shedding kerb weight while enhancing fuel efficiency and structural rigidity. Ground clearance is rated at 150 mm.

Cabin and Features

The Move Canbus stands out for its exceptional space packaging and thoughtful, user-friendly touches. Notably, it is the first Kei car under 1,700 mm in height to feature dual powered sliding doors, offering a wide door opening of 595 mm. The rear bench offers 240 mm of fore-aft sliding adjustability, with pull-out under-seat storage trays ("Easy Box") beneath the rear cushions measuring 317 × 272 × 30 mm (L × W × H), extendable to 130 mm in height once the lid is detached.

On the equipment front, higher-spec variants are fitted with an 8-inch (first-gen) or 10-inch (second-gen) central touchscreen infotainment display, supporting wireless Apple CarPlay, a Qi wireless smartphone charging pad, heated cup holders (capable of maintaining drinks at 42°C for up to two hours in a 25°C cabin), heated front seats, and keyless entry with push-start button ignition. There are up to 20 storage compartments scattered across the cabin.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Move Canbus comes well-appointed in both active and passive safety. The first-generation model came standard with the Smart Assist II suite, utilising a monocular camera, laser radar, and ultrasonic sensors to offer lane departure warning, low-speed autonomous emergency braking (AEB), pedal misapplication prevention, and front vehicle departure alert. The second-generation model is upgraded to Smart Assist III, which employs stereo cameras for expanded detection range and quicker response times, with added capability to detect pedestrians and cyclists at night.

Furthermore, the Move Canbus pioneered AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) (capable of swivelling up to 15 degrees with steering input) and a Panoramic View Monitor (360-degree four-camera bird’s-eye view) in the Kei car category. On the passive safety front, top variants are equipped with 4 SRS airbags, alongside standard Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRC).

Market Performance and Reception

The Move Canbus enjoyed an overwhelmingly positive reception from the get-go. Within just one month of its debut, the first-generation model garnered 20,000 bookings, hitting four times its initial monthly sales target. Total lifetime sales for the first-generation model surpassed 380,000 units. Even following the introduction of the all-new full model change Move in 2025, demand for the Move Canbus has remained robust—averaging around 5,590 units monthly in January and February 2026, slightly eclipsing the new Move's 5,380 units.

The car's remarkable success lies in its sharp market positioning and unique product proposition. While initially engineered for single female buyers aged 20 to 39, its distinctive dual-tone styling ended up captivating a much broader audience seeking personal expression, including male buyers and family motorists. With its standout styling, dual sliding door convenience, flexible seating configurations, and generous safety kit, the Move Canbus has successfully evolved beyond a niche "ladies' car" into an iconic Kei car that perfectly marries personality with everyday practicality.