The Mazda Laputa is a small Japanese kei car sold from 1999 to 2006. It is the Mazda version of the Suzuki Kei hatchback in Japan. Most cars carry a 660cc engine and a tall body with five doors. Mazda sold it only in Japan with right-hand drive steering. Today it is a rare used car for fans of tiny cars. This guide covers specs and trims and price clues. It also shows how to buy one through Next Drive Japan.
What is the Mazda Laputa?
Mazda launched the Laputa in March 1999 through its Autozam dealers. Mazda wanted more sales in the popular micro-mini market. The car came from a supply deal between Mazda and Suzuki. Early cars looked the same as the Suzuki Kei on the road. Only the badges were different when sales first began in 1999.
Mazda gave the car its own five-point grille in October 2000. The three-door body ended with that update and five doors stayed. Mazda made smaller changes in November 2002 and September 2003. Sales ended in 2006 when the Mazda Spiano took over the role.
Mazda Laputa specs at a glance
Every Mazda Laputa stays inside the size rules for a kei car. Figures differ a little by grade and by source here.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 3395 mm |
| Width | 1475 mm |
| Height | 1530 to 1595 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2360 mm |
| Weight | 770 to 820 kg |
| Engine size | About 660cc |
| Power | 54 to 64 PS |
| Torque (64 PS turbo) | 106 Nm at 3500 rpm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic |
| Drive | Front-wheel or four-wheel |
| Fuel tank | 30 liters |
| Top speed | Near 140 km/h |
| Launch price (S grade) | 1,385,000 yen |
Sources: CarImports spec sheets and Amayama catalog.
The body is short in length but fairly tall in height. That shape gives good head room for four adults inside. Light weight helps the small engine move the car well. Spec sites list highway use near 3.8 to 4.1 liters per 100 km.
Engine and driving feel
The engine has three cylinders and a size near 660cc in every version. Power ranged from 54 to 64 PS by version across the range. The top two versions use a K6A turbo engine for extra pull. The 64 PS version peaks at 6500 rpm on the spec sheet. It makes 106 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm in that form.
Buyers could pick front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive in many grades. Gears came as a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Front brakes are discs and rear brakes are drums on all cars. Top speed is listed near 140 km/h on most spec sites. Expect slow overtaking when you drive long highway trips. The car suits town roads and short drives best of all.
Trim levels and updates
Mazda used many trim names across the seven years of sales. The list includes E Limited and SF and XE and X and XG. The X-Turbo and G grades sit near the top of the range. Basic gear had power windows and electric mirrors on most cars.
| Date | Change |
|---|---|
| March 1999 | Launch through Mazda Autozam dealers |
| October 2000 | Five-point grille and new headlamps and seat cloth |
| November 2002 | Partial restyle with quality upgrades |
| September 2003 | Seven body colors and revised interior equipment |
| 2006 | Production ends and the Spiano follows |
Pick a car from late 2000 or newer for the grille. Model codes in listings include HP11S and HP12S and HP21S and HP22S.
Mazda Laputa price clues
Mazda priced the Mazda Laputa S grade at 1,385,000 yen in 1999. Used cars now cost far less than that launch price. One 2004 HP22S with 84,300 km showed US$1,810 FOB on SBI Motor Japan. FOB means the car price before shipping and import costs are added. That listing was one example and may be sold now.
Grade and mileage change the price more than any other detail. A clean car with service records usually costs a little more. Ask the seller for one written total price to your port. Our guide on how much a car costs in Japan explains each fee.
Can you import a Mazda Laputa?
Age limits decide this answer before price or color ever matter. The newest Laputa left the factory around 20 years ago. Rules differ in every country so check them before you start. Check your import rules before you pay any deposit.
| Market | Age rule | Laputa fit |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | Under 8 years old | No |
| Bangladesh | 5 years reported in 2026 | No |
| Zambia | No age limit | Possible |
| Tanzania | Check with TRA and TBS | Check first |
Sources: Kenya used car import rules and Bangladesh age limit report.
Zambia has no age limit but cars still need an inspection. Read our guide to cars for sale in Zambia first. For Tanzania read the full Tanzania car import policy guide first. Right-hand drive suits all these markets because they drive on the left.
How Next Drive Japan can help
Next Drive Japan is a used car exporter in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka. The company started in 2020 and has a verified seller profile. Its team offers stock cars and live Japan auctions to buyers abroad. A press release lists sourcing help and clear quotes and export papers. Those services matter when you want a rare model like this one.
Our search page showed 3,101 vehicles on 29 October 2026. Stock changes often so ask for the Laputa by model code. Follow these steps to start your search:
- Send your budget and grade and drive type to the team.
- Ask for stock matches first and then auction cars.
- Request photos and the auction sheet before you pay anything.
- Confirm the total cost with shipping and local duty.
Use the how to buy guide to see each step in order. You can also send a note through the contact page today. To compare sellers read our list of Japanese car exporters.
Mazda Laputa buyer checklist
- Check the model code and the build year first.
- Look for rust on floors and sills and wheel arches.
- On turbo cars ask about oil changes and any smoke.
- Ask if the automatic gearbox shifts without any delay.
- Choose cars with service records and lower mileage.
- Confirm the age rule in your country before you buy.
Other small cars to compare
Would you like a newer small car instead of this older one? Read our guide to the best Japanese mini cars for 2026. It covers sales data and size rules for newer models. You can also read Mazda vs Toyota to compare brands.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Mazda Laputa the same car as the Suzuki Kei?
They share one design but wear different badges on the body. Mazda added its own grille to the front in 2000.
What engine does the Mazda Laputa use?
It uses a three-cylinder engine with a size near 660cc. Power ranges from 54 to 64 PS by version.
Does Mazda still sell the Laputa as a new car?
No because sales ended in 2006 and the Spiano followed it. Buyers today can only choose from used cars on the market.
Can I import a Mazda Laputa to Kenya or Bangladesh?
Not under the current age rules for each country. Kenya allows cars under eight years old and Bangladesh allows five years.
How much does a used Mazda Laputa cost from Japan?
One listing showed US$1,810 FOB for a 2004 car. Shipping and taxes cost extra so ask for a full quote.
Final word
The Mazda Laputa is a simple kei car with Suzuki roots. Its tall body and small engine suit town roads very well. Check your import rules first because the car is now quite old. Then ask Next Drive Japan about stock and auction cars.
