Honda Acty Mini Trucks

Honda’s Acty mini truck had a 39 year run as one of the main Japanese mini truck players. So what happened to this model that saw it disappear from the kei truck world?

Recent History

With a mini truck market increasingly dominated by two major players, Daihatsu and Suzuki—both of whom also produce OEM versions of their Hijet and Carry models—Honda found itself with less space to compete. After a successful run spanning 39 years, the Acty faced diminishing prospects. By 2015, as the latest iteration of the Acty neared the end of its lifecycle, Honda had to consider whether investing in a new generation was justifiable. In the end, it was not, and the Acty’s long-standing legacy came to a close.

Final HA9 Model

So, the Acty is officially discontinued. But with that fact acknowledged, let’s take a closer look at its final model in 4WD form—the HA9-type Honda Acty mini truck. You may be wondering what the point is in examining a discontinued mini truck. While it might seem like something only enthusiasts would explore, remember that these HA9 Actys were built until April 2021. That’s not far in the past, and lightly used models remain within reach for Honda fans. For those who would love to own a Honda mini truck, this final generation offers an opportunity. With that, let’s explore the facts and features of this 4×4 Honda Acty model.

You’re going to spend a lot of time in the cab of your Japanese mini truck, so you’ll want to ensure it’s a comfortable and practical place to be. The Honda Acty does not disappoint. While it may lack some of the flair seen in the latest Daihatsu Hijet models, it remains highly comparable to the DA16T Suzuki Carry in terms of functionality and design.

The cab offers two comfortable yet hard-wearing seats with headrests. The interior is finished in tough gray and black plastic materials, which are easy to clean, so you don’t need to worry about bringing in dirt on your work boots. All the controls are conveniently placed within reach, and the interior includes plenty of storage spaces, along with cup holders for your beverage of choice.

If you’re an eagle-eyed mini truck enthusiast paying close attention, you might notice that the front wheel arches in the Honda Acty are set further back than in models like the Hijet. This design choice means the wheel arches don’t intrude into the pedal area as much, leaving more room for your feet. For those with larger feet or for anyone considering a manual transmission model, this extra space could make a big difference in comfort.

Like many Japanese mini trucks, the Acty also offers a long load bed—much longer than what you’ll find on most utility terrain vehicles (UTVs)—with a payload capacity of up to approximately 1,500 lbs. The bed’s fold-down sides and rear gate allow for easier loading and unloading, a feature shared with the Hijet and Carry. This functionality is particularly useful for anyone with back issues or for loading bulky items, making it an essential feature worth emphasizing here as well.

One more thing to note about the Acty’s bed: it has an additional function. On the Acty Dump model, the bed is equipped with a dumping mechanism for added versatility.

So, your Honda Acty 4×4 mini truck doesn’t just haul or dump; it also includes a range of features designed to make it a practical and enjoyable vehicle to use:

UV-cutting and infra-red reflecting window glass all around.
Adjustable air conditioning and heat.
Power steering.
Power windows.
Interior lighting.
Sun visors.
Convenient grab handles.
Hooks for bags.
Lamp for the rear load area.
No central transmission tunnel, even in manual models.
A passenger seat that flips up to reveal extra storage space underneath.
Adjustable seats that move fore and aft by just over 4 inches.
Power door locking with remote unlocking and locking.
Numerous storage options throughout the cabin, beyond just the glove box.
A cup holder for your water bottle or coffee mug.

Body Colors

Compared to its rivals, the Daihatsu Hijet and Suzuki Carry, the Honda Acty offered a more limited range of body colors. This may have been one factor in its inability to compete as effectively. As expected, white was a standard option—common across Japanese mini trucks. The only alternative was a striking blue, but this couldn’t match the variety of colors offered by Daihatsu and Suzuki, such as khaki green metallic, orange metallic, navy blue metallic, and other distinctive options that allow buyers to personalize their vehicles.

Engine And Transmission

Honda has long been celebrated for its expertise in engine design. While the Acty mini trucks are constrained by regulations that apply to all Japanese mini trucks, which limit the scope for engineering innovation, the engine still reflects Honda’s commitment to quality and reliability. Let’s first examine the details of the engine itself before exploring the transmission options available in the final HA9-type 4WD Honda Acty.

Engine

The final Honda Actys were powered by the E07Z engine, a 3-cylinder, water-cooled, single overhead camshaft (SOHC) engine with electronic fuel injection. This design presented a challenge for Honda moving forward, as the engine was less advanced than those of its competitors, featuring a single overhead cam rather than dual overhead cams. Developing a new model would have required creating a completely new engine, contributing to the decision to discontinue the Acty.

This engine has a slightly smaller displacement compared to its rivals (656cc versus 658cc), though the difference is negligible in real-world performance. It delivers maximum power at 5,500 rpm, with peak torque at a relatively high 5,000 rpm. This torque characteristic is unique in the Japanese mini truck segment, providing the Acty with distinct pulling behavior compared to its competitors.

The engine meets Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) standards that are higher than what is typically expected for vehicles in the UTV category. While it may not be immediately noticeable, the smooth and quiet operation of the engine helps reduce fatigue during long off-road drives, offering a more comfortable experience overall.

Maintenance is straightforward, as with other mini trucks. The engine uses regular gasoline, and replacement parts like air and oil filters are easy to source and install. For colder climates, using antifreeze is standard, just as with any other vehicle. These Hondas are simple to maintain, and regular upkeep can be easily handled by the owner without the need for specialized tools or skills.

So, where is the engine located? As suggested by the body design, the engine is mounted low, beneath the seats—Honda describes this layout as ‘mid-engine.’ This configuration provides the Acty with a low center of gravity, ideal for off-road use. Removing the seats is straightforward, granting easy access to the engine for tasks such as oil changes or other maintenance work.

Transmission

While Daihatsu offers two transmission options (automatic or manual) and Suzuki provides three (automatic, manual, and a unique hybrid option called ‘5AGS’), Honda’s Acty was only available with a manual transmission—a notable disadvantage compared to its competitors.

The manual transmission came in two configurations: the standard 5-speed and a version with an ultra-low range for both forward and reverse gears. This specialized model was known as the Attack. In addition to the ultra-low range gears, the Attack model was equipped with a locking rear differential. However, the differential lock could only be engaged when the transmission was in one of the ultra-low range gears.

One distinct advantage of the Attack’s design is its efficient integration of the ultra-low range gears into the gear shift. Unlike the equivalent Hijet or Carry models, which require a separate lever for low-range selection, the Acty uses a single gear lever for all gears. The low-range forward gear is marked ‘UL,’ and the low-range reverse gear is marked ‘UR,’ allowing for seamless selection using the same gear lever as the standard gears.

4WD System

Before going any further, it’s important to reiterate that all the Japanese mini trucks for sale here are strictly for off-road use only. Similar to the latest Daihatsu Hijets, Honda Actys also featured a ‘real-time 4WD’ system. This system automatically detects when 4WD is needed and engages it, switching back to 2WD when additional traction isn’t required. By operating primarily in 2WD mode, this system helps the Acty achieve optimal fuel efficiency, avoiding unnecessary fuel consumption when driving all four wheels isn’t necessary.

Acty Van

Did you know Honda also produced a van-style version of the Acty? Well just as Suzuki has the Every and Daihatsu offers the Hijet Cargo, Honda developed a counterpart known as the Acty Van. While the name might not win any awards for creativity, it effectively distinguishes the van variant from the truck.

So, why isn’t there a separate page dedicated to this van-body Japanese mini truck? Unlike the Acty truck, which was produced until 2021, the Acty Van was discontinued in July 2018. That’s quite a few years ago now. While it’s still possible to find a quality used Honda Acty Van, its more popular competitors are often a more practical choice. Nevertheless, here’s a look at the Honda Acty Van.

Buying A Honda Acty Mini Truck

Honda Actys are now becoming older models, so they’re not a primary focus here at Mini Truck Depot. In the United States, Daihatsu Hijets have become the more popular choice among Japanese mini truck buyers, which is why you’ll find more of them available here. However, if you’re specifically looking for a Honda Acty, be sure to check our listings to see if we currently have any for sale, or contact us here.