The Nissan Dayz: The Mighty Micro-Machine of Japan's Cityscapes

To understand the Nissan Dayz, one must first understand the unique automotive landscape from which it was born. In the dense, bustling urban environments of Japan, space is the ultimate luxury. Streets are narrow, parking spots are compact, and efficiency is paramount. This environment gave rise to a special class of vehicle known as the kei car—a “light automobile” strictly regulated in size, engine displacement, and power to receive tax and insurance benefits. The Nissan Dayz is not merely a small car; it is a masterclass in the kei car philosophy, a testament to maximizing utility, technology, and style within a minimal footprint.

A Partnership for a New Era: The Genesis of the Dayz

The story of the Nissan Dayz begins not with a single design brief, but with a strategic alliance. In 2011, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors formed a joint venture called NMKV Co., Ltd. The goal was to combine Mitsubishi’s long-standing expertise in small car development with Nissan’s vast resources, advanced technologies, and global manufacturing scale. This collaboration was designed to produce highly competitive kei cars for the Japanese domestic market (JDM), and their first major product line would be the Nissan Dayz and its rebadged twin, the Mitsubishi eK.

The partnership was a logical one. While Nissan was a global automotive giant, its presence in the fiercely competitive kei segment was historically reliant on rebadged models from other manufacturers like Suzuki and Mitsubishi. By forming NMKV, Nissan gained a direct hand in the planning, development, and design of its own kei car from the ground up, allowing it to inject its own brand DNA and cutting-edge technology into the segment.

The First Generation (B21W, June 2013 – March 2019)

The first-generation Nissan Dayz debuted in June 2013, immediately making an impact with its modern styling and impressive feature set. It was a clean break from the more utilitarian kei cars of the past, offering a level of sophistication previously reserved for larger vehicles. Its design was clean and contemporary, with a confident front fascia and a boxy-but-stylish profile engineered to carve out as much interior volume as possible.

The first generation was offered in two primary model lines, each with several trim levels catering to different tastes and budgets:

Nissan Dayz (Standard Series): This was the core model, focused on practicality, value, and everyday usability.

J: The base model, offering essential features.
S: A step up, adding more convenience items.
X: The top-tier standard model, featuring more premium interior fabrics, automatic air conditioning, and alloy wheels.

Nissan Dayz Highway Star: This series catered to buyers wanting a sportier, more premium aesthetic. It was distinguished by an aggressive, chrome-laden front grille, aerodynamic body kits, larger wheels, and a more upscale interior.

Highway Star X: The entry point to the premium line, with all the features of the standard X plus the distinctive styling package.
Highway Star G: Added more luxury features, such as improved lighting and interior trim.
Highway Star G Turbo: The performance-oriented model. While still adhering to the 64-horsepower kei car limit, the turbocharged engine provided significantly more torque, making for zippier acceleration and more confident merging on highways.

A key technological highlight for its time was the inclusion of Nissan’s “Around View Monitor,” a 360-degree camera system that made parking in Japan’s tight spaces incredibly easy. This feature, trickling down from Nissan’s premium Infiniti models, was a game-changer in the budget-conscious kei segment.

However, the first generation’s history is also marked by a significant controversy. In 2016, Mitsubishi Motors admitted to manipulating fuel economy data for several of its vehicles, including the eK and, by extension, the Nissan Dayz produced by NMKV. This led to a temporary halt in sales and a compensation plan for affected owners. Despite this setback, the vehicle’s fundamental strengths of design, space, and features allowed it to recover and remain a popular choice.

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The Second Generation (B4#W, March 2019 – Present)

Learning from the lessons of the first generation and aiming to set a new benchmark, Nissan launched the completely redesigned second-generation Dayz in March 2019. This was more than a simple refresh; it was a top-to-bottom reimagining built on a brand-new platform. The development was led more assertively by Nissan, resulting in a vehicle that felt distinctly more “Nissan” than its predecessor.

The styling evolved to align with Nissan’s global design language, featuring the signature V-motion grille and sharper, more dynamic lines. But the most significant advancements were technological. The new Dayz became the first kei car to be equipped with ProPILOT, Nissan’s advanced semi-autonomous driver-assistance system. This system can manage acceleration, braking, and steering in single-lane highway traffic, drastically reducing driver fatigue on longer journeys—an unprecedented feature for a vehicle in this class.

Another major update was the introduction of an S-HYBRID (Smart Hybrid) powertrain. This mild-hybrid system uses a small electric motor to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration and to power vehicle electronics, improving fuel efficiency and providing a smoother driving experience.

The trim structure was streamlined yet enhanced for the second generation:

Nissan Dayz (Standard Series):

S: A well-equipped base model.
X: The volume-selling model, offering a balance of features and value, including access to smart-key technology and better interior appointments.

Nissan Dayz Highway Star: This line continued its role as the premium, stylish option, now with even more technology.

Highway Star X: The entry-level premium model.
Highway Star G Turbo: The top-of-the-line model, combining the turbocharged engine’s performance with luxury features.
ProPILOT Edition: Both the Highway Star X and G Turbo were available in a “ProPILOT Edition,” which bundled the groundbreaking driver-assist system with other safety and convenience features.

Interior quality saw a massive leap, with better materials, a more ergonomic layout, and the inclusion of Nissan’s comfortable “Zero Gravity” seats.

The Taller Siblings: Dayz Roox and Lucs

Recognizing the market’s demand for even more interior space, Nissan also offered a “super height wagon” variant.

First Generation: Nissan Dayz Roox (B21A, 2014-2020): Based on the first-gen Dayz, the Roox featured a much taller roofline and, critically, power sliding rear doors. This transformed the vehicle into a miniature minivan, perfect for families with small children or those needing to transport bulky items. It was offered in similar standard and Highway Star trim lines as its smaller sibling.
Second Generation: Nissan Lucs (B4#A, 2020-Present): With the second-generation platform, the name was changed to “Nissan Lucs” (a stylized play on the word “rooks”). The Lucs incorporates all the technological advancements of the new Dayz—including ProPILOT and the S-HYBRID system—into the super height wagon body style. It remains the ultimate family-focused micro-machine in Nissan’s lineup, offering cavernous interior space and unparalleled ease of access.

Powertrain and Performance

Across all generations, the Nissan Dayz has been powered by a 660cc (0.66-liter) three-cylinder gasoline engine, as mandated by kei regulations.

Naturally Aspirated: The standard engine produces around 51 horsepower, perfectly adequate for city driving and prioritizing fuel economy.
Turbocharged: The optional turbo engine is capped at 63-64 horsepower but produces significantly more torque (around 100 Nm compared to 60 Nm), making it feel much more responsive and capable, especially with passengers or on inclines.

All models use a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to maximize efficiency and provide smooth power delivery. Buyers in Japan can also choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) for maximum economy or all-wheel drive (4WD) for better traction in snowy northern regions.

Future Outlook and Global Relevance

The Nissan Dayz is a cornerstone of Nissan’s domestic strategy, and its future appears secure. The most significant indicator of its future path is the Nissan Sakura, the all-electric kei car launched in 2022. The Sakura is built on the same platform as the second-generation Dayz and shares its body shell, effectively making it the “electric Dayz.” This demonstrates a clear path toward electrification for Nissan’s kei car lineup, and it is highly likely that future generations of the Dayz will either be fully electric or feature more advanced hybrid technology.

So, why isn’t this clever, space-efficient marvel sold worldwide? The answer lies in its very nature. The Dayz is purpose-built for Japanese regulations and driving conditions. Its tiny engine would struggle on high-speed American freeways, and its lightweight construction, while perfectly safe for Japanese standards, would require significant and costly re-engineering to meet different global crash safety regulations.

In conclusion, the Nissan Dayz is far more than just a small car. It is a microcosm of Japanese automotive ingenuity. From its collaborative origins and journey through controversy to its current position as a technological leader in its class, the Dayz represents the relentless pursuit of perfection within constraints. It is a vehicle that proves that thoughtful design and advanced technology are not exclusive to large, expensive cars, but can thrive in the most compact and accessible of packages, perfectly navigating the vibrant, narrow streets it calls home.