| Daihatsu Esse (L235) | |
| Manufacturer: | Daihatsu |
| Production: | December 2005 – September 2011 |
| Assembly: | Japan |
| Designer: | Eiji Murakami[1] |
| Class: | Kei car |
| Body Style: | 5-door hatchback |
| Related: | Daihatsu Mira (L275) |
| Powerout: | 43abbr=onNaNabbr=on |
| Wheelbase: | 23901NaN1 |
| Length: | 33951NaN1 |
| Width: | 14751NaN1 |
| Height: | 14701NaN1 |
| Weight: | 700– |
| Sp: | uk |
The is a kei car manufactured by the Japanese automaker Daihatsu. It was launched in December 2005, which at launch was the cheapest car in Japan.
It was available as a 5-door hatchback in two distinct styles - Esse or Esse Custom. The Esse was available in Eco, D, L and X grade levels with front- or four-wheel drive layout. The Esse Custom was added in November 2006. All versions were powered by a 6580NaN0 KF-VE three-cylinder petrol engine.[2]
The production ended in September 2011 and replaced by the Mira e:S.
According to Daihatsu, the name "Esse" was derived from the Latin root for the English word "essence", although it has also been used as a backronym for "Eco, Smart, Simple & Easy" in marketing.[3]