Car & Driver: Pixis Joy: The Cutest Little Japanese-Market Toyota You’ll Ever See

Toyota’s new Japan-only Kei-car looks like something that belongs in a Disney movie. And its name, Pixis Joy, is straight out of Disney World, too. Offered in three different versions with a variety of customization possibilities, the Pixis Joy almost seems like something that could’ve worked for Scion, that, less-than-dearly departed “youth” brand.

Developed and built by Toyota’s partner Daihatsu, the Pixis Joy fits into Japan’s popular class of kei cars, all of which must be less than 133.9 inches long and use an engine smaller than 660 cc (0.6 liter). The Pixis offers both naturally aspirated and turbocharged three-cylinder engines making either 50 or 63 horsepower, both mated to a standard CVT. All-wheel drive is available on certain models.

The range of models includes C, F, and S variants, all of which are adorable. The Pixis Joy F is meant to be the most elegant of the lot, with smoother body lines and a glitzier grille; the S is a “sporty” model (we’re dubious because of its 63-hp output) with larger wheels, red interior accents, and different front and rear bumpers; and the C is a teeny-tiny crossover imposter with its extra body cladding and higher ground clearance.

• -
• Honda N-Box Slash: Retro Looks, Puzzling Name, Never Coming to America-
• Daihatsu Noriori Concept Takes Tiny, Wheeled Boxes to Their Zenith-
• Funky Fresh: The Weirdest Concepts of 2015-

As with all other kei cars, these Toyotas won’t make it off the islands of Japan, as they’re simply too small to work in other markets. But who knows? Maybe something like the Pixis Joy will soon grace the silver screen in an upcoming Pixar movie. It certainly has the right look.

View the full article