The Honda Acty van has likely caught your attention if you love Japanese cars. Despite its compact nature, this vehicle blends practicality, efficiency, and old-school charm in a way few can match.
Whether you’re hauling tools or enjoying the beauty of your mirror-camper, the Honda Acty Van delivers on style and reliability. Below, we’ll examine why this vehicle is so special, from its origin story to modern upgrades, maintenance hacks, and more.
Understanding the Honda Acty Van
In 1977, Honda thought of a new addition to the Kei-class lineup that included small, lightweight utility vehicles explicitly designed for Japan’s urban and agricultural needs. After thorough planning, the ACTY was born, and Honda later rolled out the Acty van in 1979. Acty is short for activity, and to reflect its name, this vehicle served a wide variety of needs. This versatility was especially beneficial to middle-class Japanese income earners and became a symbol of toughness and reliability in many of the country’s industries.
But what makes this variant so special? This utility van’s older versions feature a mid-engine and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) layout, giving it balance and a tight turning radius. Its compact size is ideal for weaving through narrow streets or packing into tight garages, and despite its dimensions, the interior offers generous passenger and cargo spac
While initially a 2WD minivan, later generations included four-wheel drive (4WD), adding more versatility for off-road or snowy travels. Honda Acty Vans are used in various contexts, including urban deliveries, farming, mobile vending, and DIY camper conversions. The platform’s simplicity and dependability have made it a top pick among hobbyists, small business owners, and collectors alike. Since its debut, the Honda Acty Van has had many updates, making it more potent until it was discontinued in 2018 and replaced by the NV.
Key Features and Specifications
Below are some key Honda Acty Van specs:
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Engine details and performance
The Honda Acty van uses a 3 cylinder engine with displacement ranging from 545CC to 656CC, outputting between 28 and 46 hp and 30-45 lb-ft of torque, depending on the generation and model. The Honda Acty van top speed hovers between 60-70 mph, making it an ideal choice for rural and urban commuting.
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Dimensions and size specifics:
Honda Acty Van dimensions include a total length of 340 cm (133.8 in), width of 148 cm (58.2 in), a height of 188 cm (74 in), and a wheelbase of 142 cm (55.9 in).
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Fuel economy and efficiency:
The Honda Acty offers quality fuel economy, averaging 40-50 mpg on highways and 30-35 mpg in the city.
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Transmission options:
The Honda Acty Van comes in 4 or 5-speed manual or automatic transmissions and is available in 2WD or 4WD, depending on the model.
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Interior and cargo space:
This minivan features a simple cabin seating five passengers and a flexible rear area with a payload capacity of up to 400kg (880 lbs).
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Special edition/notable variants:
The Honda Acty Van street trim comes with additional comfort features like soft carpeting, improved sound insulation, cushy seating, and plenty of headroom.
Common Issues and Maintenance
One drawback of owning a Honda Acty Van is its maintenance. This model can experience issues like timing belt malfunctions, manual transmission gear grinding, starting issues associated with the battery, bad spark plugs, or faulty ignition systems. A Honda Acty Van can have suspension issues when used for heavy-duty work or clogged carburetors—especially if it’s an early model. Older models can also be prone to rust.
The Honda Acty Van maintenance schedule manual recommends that you check oil every 3,000 miles, inspect the brakes (manually, ideally annually or every 12,000 miles), change the timing belt every 60,000 miles, and repair gear systems if damaged. To prevent clogged engines, you need to use quality filters. And don’t forget to keep your van away from conditions that promote rust, like parking outside in humid air. Oiwa Garage offers detailed Honda Acty Van repair guides and parts to address these issues, ensuring your minivan runs smoothly for years.
Popular upgrades and accessories
Oiwa Garage offers only quality parts to help make your minivan irresistible and reliable. Something as simple as a black shift knob can add extra flair to drives, while Mag Factory's precision-crafted fender flares can turn heads wherever you travel.
Many Honda Acty van drivers purchase engine parts elevating performance, longevity, and reliability, while other notable Honda Acty Van parts and accessories include but aren’t limited to timing belt kits, gasket replacement kits, air filters, and seat belt covers.
Real Customer Stories or Testimonials
“George at Oiwa Garage saved my Honda Acty Van project,” says Mike from Seattle. “I ordered a timing belt kit, and it arrived in days—perfect fit, no hassle.” Another customer, Joe Rusczyk, said: "[Oiwa Garage is] Very communicative and makes sure the parts are correct. [The garage] Also has a lot of parts to choose from."
Satisfied customer, Lisa, raved “The SDX decals and seat belt covers turned my van into a head-turner. Oiwa’s expertise is unmatched,” while Eric Wood said "[I] Ordered an air filter for my Acty and was super happy with the price and the customer service provided by Oiwa Garage. Can’t wait to use them in the future for more upgrades!"
Final thoughts
The Honda Acty Van is an example of a small vehicle that can do big things via its reliability, versatility and charm that comes in a compact configuration. These vehicles are the perfect fit for work, daily commutes and adventures.
Oiwa Garage ensures you get the most out of your van. We don’t just sell premium parts and accessories, we offer expert guidance to improve your ride. Ready to have fun with your Acty? Explore our Honda Acty Van part and accessories or contact our team of experts for personalized help.
