The year 2006—a time when Japan was beginning to emerge from a long period of stagnation following the bursting of the bubble economy and was entering a phase of gradual recovery…
It was during this era that Daihatsu made its move.

“What would happen if we really set out to build a K-car that people could truly enjoy driving?”

The answer to that lies in the Sonica.

Sonica aimed to be more than just a means of transportation—it sought to be a K-car where the very act of driving is a pleasure.
・Driving pleasure
・Quality that transcends class
・Joy of ownership
Sonica is a car that seriously sought to achieve these three elements in a K-car. The challenge was truly to redefine the concept of the K-car.

At a time when the industry was gradually shifting toward taller models, the Sonica boldly went against that trend.
・Low & long design
・Proportions that exude stability
・Enveloping interior that surrounds the driver
・Premium cabin space featuring tourer bench seats

Prioritizing quality and driving posture over space—this philosophy itself embodies Daihatsu’s commitment.

More than meets the eye, the Sonica is a car full of technical challenges.
・Features Daihatsu’s first in-house CVT. Plus, it uses a 3-axis CVT (instead of the usual 4-axis) for weight reduction!
・Paired with a newly developed KF turbocharged engine
・7-speed manual mode
・Cruise control
・Features a super intelligent catalyst

It is a practical yet somehow experimental car.
The technology is designed to earnestly bring to life the clear vision of an “Exhilarating Tourer.”

So, what were people on the front lines of development thinking at the time, and what were they aiming for?

◆Product Planning Team
“Based on the ‘Exhilarating Tourer’ concept, we have thoroughly refined the quality of driving.
The combination of our newly developed CVT and turbocharged engine delivers both powerful performance and excellent fuel efficiency.
With a specially tuned suspension system, we have achieved a higher level of maneuverability and riding comfort.
We hope you will experience this delightful driving experience for yourself.”

◆Design Team
“The Sonica was developed by a small team with the goal of creating a breakthrough product.
Rather than being just another K-car designed primarily for short trips, we wanted to create a new category where people could enjoy traveling long distances.
We shifted our thinking from the mainstream concept of ‘tall and wide’ to ‘low, long, and wide.’
With its flowing proportions and eight-pane side windows, we gave shape to an exhilarating driving experience.”

*Click on the following two images to enlarge them.

◆ Demonstration Team
“From the very beginning of development, we kept asking ourselves, what exactly is ‘exhilarating’?
We engineered the body to achieve unprecedented rigidity and thoroughly tuned the suspension until it responded exactly as intended.
The result is the perfect balance between peace of mind and driving pleasure.”

◆ Production Engineering Team
“Launching this new unit was a challenge of having to start from scratch.
The CVT belt process, in particular, was extremely difficult. Through repeated designs and trial and error, we refined the quality.
This quality is the result of everyone’s focused efforts.”

*Excerpt from Daihatsu News (No. 1318), “Sonica Special Feature”

The Sonica was not just an “experimental model”; it was a vehicle that truly embodied a vision and technology.

The Sonica’s vision was clear. Yet, market trends proved even more unforgiving.
By the end of the year, the Move was released, followed by a model change for the Tanto the next year.
The market had shifted entirely toward taller models, and production of the Sonica was discontinued after just three years.

You could certainly say it was a car that was a little ahead of its time.

Judging solely by sales figures, it might not be considered a successful model.
However, the Sonica has a curious trait: many owners hold onto it and continue driving it for a long time.
Precisely because the market is flooded with taller models today, the Sonica’s stable low center of gravity, driving pleasure, premium feel, and compact, easy-to-handle size feel refreshing. As a result, it has come to be regarded as a hidden gem in the used car market.

We have received a variety of stories from employees who love their Sonica—from memories associated with their beloved cars to reflections on their younger selves that the Sonica reminds them of!

What is conveyed from these comments about their beloved cars is that the Sonica is not merely a means of transportation, but a vehicle that has journeyed alongside its owner over the years.

So, what exactly is so appealing about it?
This time, we reached out directly to Yamasaki-san from the Corporate Planning Dep., who shared his memories of the Sonica in a recent post!
After hearing about Yamasaki-san’s passion as an owner, we decided to get behind the steering wheel to find out the answer.

Thanks to the kindness of Yamasaki-san, who has been a devoted Sonica owner for 20 years (having owned three models over that period), we were able to take it for a test drive!

The first thing I noticed when I got behind the steering wheel was exactly what “Exhilarating Tourer” meant.
The ride was so comfortable that it was hard to believe I was driving a K-car, and I was also impressed by the interior space, which felt spacious despite the car’s low form.

As soon as you hit the accelerator, the engine revs up with a smooth, deep rumble.
It’s not just about getting from point A to point B; it gives you the feeling that driving itself is a joy.

The test drive made me think, “This really makes me want to go for a long drive.”

We asked Yamasaki-san, who has owned a Sonica for 20 years, about what makes it so appealing.

Q: What made you decide to buy the Sonica?
I’ve always liked low cars, so when it came out, I thought, “This is the one” and bought it.

Q: What do you find appealing about the design?
The shape when viewed from the side. It has a sleek look, and even now, it doesn’t look dated.

Q: Where do you want to go next in the Sonica?
Hokkaido. I’d love to cruise through the vast landscapes in the Sonica.

Q: What do you think could be improved?
Since it doesn’t have telescopic steering, if I could pull the steering wheel a little closer to me, I think the ride would be even more comfortable.

Q: What do you find most appealing about the Sonica now?
The fact that driving for long periods isn’t tiring. It truly is an “Exhilarating Tourer.”
As long as my current third-generation Sonica is running strong, I plan to keep driving it for a long time to come.

While researching and speaking with people for this article, I truly grasped the essence of the Sonica for the first time. It reaffirmed for me just how great a car it is.

Although the sales figures aren’t exactly high, there are people who have continued driving it for 18 years.
There are people who have kept driving the Sonica, even trading in one for another time and time again.
I felt that this was proof that the developers’ vision and passion had truly resonated with people.

For car creator, could there be any greater joy?

There’s a common perception that K-cars and long-distance drives don’t really go together, but the Sonica is different.
There truly existed a K-car that makes you want to keep driving and go far distances.
Even if a car isn’t for everyone, it can still be deeply and enduringly loved.

Daihatsu is by no means a large company.
But that’s precisely why it can take on certain challenges.
Within the limited framework of the K-car, it dares to create diversity.
It is precisely because of these constraints that it can take on such challenges.
It is in this aspect that I caught a glimpse of what makes Daihatsu unique.

The Sonica is a car that reminds us of its true value.