Suzuki Cappuccino Specs and US Buying Guide

The Suzuki Cappuccino is a tiny two-seat roadster that Suzuki built in Japan to fit the country's kei car rules. It packs a turbocharged three-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive and a three-piece removable roof into a body shorter than most compact hatchbacks.

Suzuki sold it from 1991 to 1998, and it was never offered new in the United States. Current examples are collected on JDMBUYSELL's Cappuccino listings page.

Every Cappuccino built from 1991 to 1998 is now old enough for US import under the 25-year rule, so you can legally bring one in and register it, provided you confirm the build date on the vehicle plate and keep the car in original configuration for the EPA. The harder part is finding a sound, rust-free example and handling the paperwork and state registration correctly.

This sports car rewards a careful buyer. It weighs about as much as a small motorcycle with a few riders aboard, which is why a 64 hp engine feels lively on a back road.

Key Takeaways

• The early EA11R uses the F6A engine with a timing belt, while the 1995-on EA21R uses the aluminum K6A with a timing chain.
• Federal import is straightforward on age, but state title rules and emissions checks vary.
• Rust, roof leaks and weak gearbox synchros are the main faults to inspect for.

What Are the Key Specs and Model Differences?

Two chassis codes cover the whole run: the EA11R from 1991 and the EA21R from 1995. Both produce the same 64 PS kei-class maximum, and the later car adds more torque, a lighter engine and an optional automatic.

Size, Weight, and Japan's Kei Car Regulations

Japan's kei car regulations give small cars tax and insurance breaks if they stay under strict limits. In the 1990s that meant a 660 cc engine cap, a body no longer than 3.4 m and no wider than 1.48 m, plus an industry agreement capping output at 64 PS.

Suzuki used nearly every millimeter. The UK-spec car measures 3,295 mm long and 1,395 mm wide with a 725 kg (1,599 lb) curb weight.

Spec	Figure
Length	129.8 in (3,295 mm)
Width	55.0 in (1,395 mm)
Height	46.7 in (1,185 mm)
Wheelbase	81.2 in (2,060 mm)
Curb weight	about 1,599 lb (725 kg)
Fuel tank	6.6 UK gal (30 L)
Turning radius	14.4 ft

Japanese-market weights vary by grade. Some catalog listings show 700 kg for an EA11R and 690 kg for a later manual car.

EA11R vs. EA21R: F6A and K6A Engine Differences

The EA11R uses the 657 cc F6A, a DOHC 12-valve three-cylinder engine with a turbo and intercooler. Some spec databases list it as the 0.7 i 12V Turbo, rated at 63 hp (64 PS). JDMBUYSELL's Cappuccino history lists the same split, with the F6A in the EA11R and the K6A in the EA21R, both rated at 64 PS.

Peak power arrives at 6,500 rpm and torque is 62.9 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm.

The EA21R arrived in 1995 with the 658 cc K6A. It has an all-aluminum block and chain-driven cams.

Output stays at 64 PS, while published torque rises to 10.5 kgf·m (about 76 lb-ft) at 3,500 rpm.

	EA11R	EA21R
Engine	F6A, 657 cc	K6A, 658 cc
Cam drive	Timing belt	Timing chain
Torque	8.7 kgf·m @ 4,000 rpm	10.5 kgf·m @ 3,500 rpm
Gearboxes	5-speed manual	5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic

The cam drive affects your service budget. A belt engine needs proof of a recent belt change.

Five-Speed Manual vs. Three-Speed Automatic

Every EA11R has a five-speed manual. The EA21R added a three-speed automatic transmission as an option.

The manual is the version most owners want, and it holds stronger resale demand. Its known weak point is the second-gear synchro, so test shifts cold and warm.

The 3-speed automatic suits you if you drive mostly in town traffic. With only three ratios, it spins the small engine hard at highway speed, so expect more noise.

How Does It Drive, and How Does the Roof Work?

The Cappuccino drives like a scaled-down classic roadster, with the engine set well back, power to the rear and a roof you can configure four ways. It feels quick on twisty roads and small on the interstate.

Front-Mid-Engine Balance, Rear-Wheel Drive, and Handling

The engine sits behind the front axle line, a front mid-engine layout that gives close to 50:50 weight distribution. Drive goes to the rear wheels.

Up front you get aluminium double wishbone suspension, with a wishbone and multi-link setup at the rear. Brakes are discs at all four corners, ventilated at the front.

Early cars have unassisted steering, which feels light once moving thanks to narrow tires and low weight. Some later Japanese-market cars got electric power steering, though those lose the tilt and telescopic wheel adjustment.

The short 81-inch wheelbase makes the car react quickly. Smooth inputs keep it settled.

Hardtop, T-Top, Targa, and Full Convertible Modes

The detachable hardtop is three aluminum panels. You can run it four ways:

• Coupe: all panels in place.
• T-top: center panel removed.
• Targa: both side panels removed, center bar left in or out.
• Full convertible: all panels out, with the roll hoop and heated glass rear window folded down into the body for open cabriolet driving.

The panels stow in the trunk. Check that all three are present and undented, since replacements are scarce and costly.

Cabin Fit, Luggage Space, and Highway Limitations

The cabin is snug. If you are over about six feet tall, sit in the car before you commit, because headroom with the roof on and leg space are tight.

Trunk space is small, and the roof panels take most of it once removed. Plan on soft bags for weekend trips.

On the highway, the car is light and low, which makes you less visible next to trucks and SUVs. UK cars were electronically restricted to 85 mph, though that page already supplied the earlier figures.

Cruising at 70 mph works, with plenty of engine and wind noise. It is also right-hand drive, so passing on two-lane roads takes extra care.

How It Compares with Other Small Japanese Sports Cars

Japanese fans grouped the early 1990s kei sports cars as the "ABC" trio: Autozam AZ-1, Honda Beat and Cappuccino.

	Suzuki Cappuccino	Honda Beat	Mazda Autozam AZ-1	Daihatsu Copen
Layout	Front-mid, RWD	Mid-engine, RWD	Mid-engine, RWD	Front-engine, FWD
Induction	Turbo	Naturally aspirated	Turbo	Turbo
Roof	3-panel hardtop	Soft top	Fixed, gullwing doors	Power hardtop
Era	1991–1998	1991–1996	1992–1995	2002 on

The Daihatsu Leeza Spyder was an earlier front-drive kei convertible. The Cappuccino stands apart with its front-engine, rear-drive layout, which feels closest to a traditional roadster.

Can You Import and Register One in the US?

Yes, and federal eligibility is settled by age for this model. Your main jobs are proving the build date, keeping the car stock for the EPA and filing the correct forms at entry.

NHTSA's 25-Year Rule and Checking the Build Date

NHTSA exempts vehicles at least 25 years old from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The age is counted from the date of manufacture, not the model year or first registration.

As of November 2026, even a car built in 1998 clears that line. Still, check the build date on the vehicle plate in the engine bay and match it to the export certificate.

A mismatch causes delays at the port.

EPA's 21-Year Exemption and Original Configuration

The EPA exempts vehicles at least 21 years old, but only when they remain in original configuration. That means no changes from the manufacturer's design.

Modified engines, swapped turbos or removed catalytic converters put that exemption at risk. If you want upgrades, import the car stock and make changes later in line with your state's rules.

CBP Entry Documents: EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7

US Customs and Border Protection handles entry. You need:

• EPA Form 3520-1, declaring the emissions exemption.
• DOT Form HS-7, marking Box 1 for a vehicle 25 or more years old.
• The original Japanese export certificate, with a translation.
• Bill of lading and bill of sale.

Customs duty applies, and you pay port and handling fees on arrival. Keep copies of every stamped form; your DMV will ask for them.

State Title, Registration, and Emissions Checks

Federal clearance does not guarantee a state title. Rules for older right-hand-drive imports differ from state to state.

Call your DMV before buying. Ask about VIN inspection, the documents they need, and whether emissions testing applies to a car this age. California has its own strict emissions rules, so research that state closely.

Some states have restricted or questioned kei vehicles in the past, so get the answer in writing if you can.

What Should You Check Before Buying?

Condition of the actual car outweighs year or mileage on paper. Focus first on rust and repairs, then on the engine's service history.

Structural Rust, Accident Repairs, and Roof Leaks

Rust is the biggest problem. Check the full length of both sills, the wheel arches, the floor pans and the floor behind the seats.

Plastic lower trim and thick fresh underseal hide corrosion. Ask for photos taken before any repairs.

The hood, trunk lid and roof panels are aluminum. They resist rust but dent easily.

Look for uneven panel gaps and mismatched paint as signs of crash repairs. For leaks, press on the carpets, check the trunk and look for water stains behind the seats.

Engine Health, Turbo Condition, and Maintenance Records

Ask for service records. Specialists recommend oil changes about every 3,000 miles to protect the turbo.

On an F6A car, find proof of a timing belt change within the last five years or 60,000 miles. The water pump sits near the belt, so it is smart to change both together.

On a test drive, look for blue smoke under boost and listen for turbo whine. The car should build boost cleanly.

Check the radiator, fan and hoses, since the engine runs hot in traffic.

Chassis Identity, Modifications, and Optional Equipment

Confirm the chassis code on the plate reads EA11R or EA21R, and that it matches the paperwork. Parts often differ between the two.

Optional equipment in Japan included a limited-slip differential. Some later cars list ABS and a driver's airbag; if a seller claims these, confirm the warning lights work and the parts match the build spec.

Ask directly about modifications. Aftermarket intakes, boost controllers and exhausts make the EPA exemption harder to defend.

Purchase Price, Landed Costs, and Ownership Budget

When you search for a Suzuki Cappuccino for sale, the asking price is only the start. Prices depend mostly on rust condition, mileage, service history and transmission, with clean manual cars bringing the most.

Your landed cost adds:

• Export fees and shipping from Japan.
• US customs duty and port fees.
• Customs broker fees.
• State title, tax and inspection costs.

Set aside money for first-year work: fluids, a belt change on F6A cars, tires and brake service. Parts come mostly from Japan, so allow for shipping time.

Join an owners group such as SCORE, the Suzuki Cappuccino Owners Register for Enthusiasts, for parts leads and repair advice. A factory EA11R and EA21R workshop manual is worth keeping on hand for your mechanic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Suzuki Cappuccinos legal in the US?

Yes, every Suzuki Cappuccino is past the 25-year mark, so it is exempt from federal safety standards. It must stay in original configuration for the EPA exemption. State registration rules vary, so check with your DMV first.

How much does a Suzuki Cappuccino cost in the US?

Cost depends on condition, mileage, transmission and history, plus shipping, duty, broker and state fees. Rust-free manual cars with good records sit at the top of the market. Budget for first-year maintenance on top of the purchase.

What are the Suzuki Cappuccino's top speed and 0–60 time?

Published figures put top speed around 87 mph with 0–62 mph in 7.6 seconds. Other period tests recorded slower times, up to about 10.7 seconds to 60 mph. Condition and boost health of an individual car change these results.

How much horsepower does a Suzuki Cappuccino have?

Both versions make 63 hp (64 PS), the kei-class limit. The later EA21R produces more torque at lower rpm. That makes it feel stronger in everyday driving.

How does the Suzuki Cappuccino compare with the Mazda MX-5 Miata?

The Cappuccino is smaller and roughly 700 lb lighter than a first-generation Mazda MX-5 Miata, so it feels more intense at low speeds. The Miata is roomier, more comfortable on highways and has far easier parts supply in the US. Choose the Suzuki if you want a rare, tiny roadster for weekend roads.