The Esse's name is a double play: it comes from the Latin root for "essence," but Daihatsu also built it as a backronym for "Eco, Simple and Smart, and Easy."
Lead trim: 658 cc KF-VE
Daihatsu Esse L2352005–2011
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Nobody in Burbles has spotted a Daihatsu Esse L235 yet. See one on the street, point the app at it, and the first card is yours — with your @handle permanently credited on this page.
FactThe Esse's name is a double play: it comes from the Latin root for "essence," but Daihatsu also built it as a backronym for "Eco, Simple and Smart, and Easy."
The Daihatsu Esse is a kei car that, with a base price of ¥680,000, was one of the cheapest new cars in Japan when launched in December 2005. The name derives from the Latin root for the English word "essence", and serves as a backronym for "Eco, Simple and Smart, and Easy". It was sold as a five-door hatchback in five trim levels (Eco, D, L, X and Custom) with front- or four-wheel drive, and all versions are powered by a 658 cc KF-VE three-cylinder petrol engine producing 58 PS at 7,200 rpm. It was first revealed in concept form at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show in 2005, the Esse Custom was introduced in November 2006, and it was succeeded by the Mira e:S.
Collectors Spotted in the Daihatsu Esse Lineage
No member has published a public street spot of the Daihatsu Esse yet — the First · Worldwide stamp is wide open.
Trims & Figures
One published trim in the catalogue. A blank is a figure not recorded, not zero.
| Trim | Years | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–60 | Drive | Gearbox | MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 658 cc KF-VE | 2005–2011 | 0.7 L Inline-3 | 57 hp | 48 lb-ft | — | — | — | — |
Owning one
We don’t estimate running costs for a car like this. What it costs depends on its condition, its specialist and how it is driven, and an average would mislead.
Owners’ builds
Nobody has claimed one yet.
Photographs
Rivals
Same body, same money, other badges — tap any card to flip.
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