Japan's automotive establishment has decided cyclists deserve better than a blind spot. Daihatsu has kicked off sales of the updated Tanto and Thor in Japan, and the real story isn't the bumper or the paint. The driver-assist suite got new tricks: Smart Assist can now spot cyclists crossing the car's path, oncoming vehicles during a right turn, and pedestrians stepping out from the opposite side of an intersection.
The system's working range grew too — and not by a little. The top speed at which pedestrian detection still works climbed from 60 to 80 km/h. Adaptive cruise control got an upgrade as well: Daihatsu extended the range and accuracy of forward-vehicle detection. And Tanto finally calmed down the lane-keep system's tendency to wobble — a quirk that's annoyed owners for years.
Thor went further: side and curtain airbags are now standard across the range, two rear sensors were added, and the X grade gets a new instrument cluster with a color TFT display plus a driver's armrest. Both models picked up new body colors.
Meanwhile, Tanto is getting a special X Daily Tool and X Turbo Daily Tool edition. Spot it by the black mirror housings, black door handles, and 14-inch wheels. A separate Daily Tool Style package is also on offer, and the more rugged-styled Tanto FunCross now gets an Urban Tough Style set — ten accessories in one bundle.
In Japan, the updated Tanto starts at 1.496 million yen and tops out at 2.145 million yen, or roughly $10,200 to $14,600 at current exchange rates. The Daily Tool special edition runs 1.661–1.947 million yen (about $11,300–$13,300). Thor costs 1.8304–2.3463 million yen (around $12,500–$16,000). These are Japanese recommended retail prices including local tax, not the cost of the cars after import elsewhere.
Daihatsu recently updated the Mira e:S as well, giving the budget kei car a stronger 52-hp motor and new Japan pricing.
