If you’ve read our HA6/HA7 guide and learned that the newer Acty doesn’t have a diff-lock, this is the page you actually want. The Attack trim, built on the second-generation HA4 4WD chassis from 1990 to 1999, is the Honda Acty with a genuine factory locking rear differential and an ultra-low crawler gear. It is also, by a wide margin, the most readily available and most affordable diff-lock kei truck in the Acty lineup.
The Attack — what it actually is
The Attack featured 4WD with a locking differential, combined with a 4-speed manual transmission and ultra-low forward and reverse gears. It was built specifically for agricultural use — for farmers and operators working terrain “where roads were optional.” This is the direct Honda equivalent of the Suzuki Carry Nōhan, and the comparison between the two is worth understanding if you’re choosing between brands — see our Nōhan vs Attack comparison.
The Attack is the only standard Honda Acty truck trim with a diff-lock. The sole exception is the Crawler — a rare six-wheeled special edition sold only in 1995, mechanically identical to the Attack including the locking differential and crawler gears, but with an additional pair of wheels and rubber tracks wrapped around the rear axle for travel in snow and deep mud. Crawlers are a genuine rarity and command collector-level interest rather than being a practical daily buying target.
Green flag
The Attack is the Acty trim to search for if a factory diff-lock is a requirement. It is mechanically straightforward, well-documented, and the most commonly available diff-lock Acty on the used market.
HA3 vs HA4 — which chassis code matters
HA3 is the 2WD version of this generation; HA4 is the 4WD version. The Attack trim requires the 4WD HA4 chassis — there is no 2WD Attack, since the whole point of the trim is off-road capability that depends on 4WD.
When searching auction listings or exporter inventories, confirm the chassis code is HA4, not HA3, before assuming a truck has Attack-trim potential. The compliance plate will confirm this directly.
Check at inspection
Confirm HA4 (not HA3) on the compliance plate, then confirm the Attack badge or trim designation specifically — not every HA4 is an Attack. Plenty of HA4 4WD trucks are SDX or Town trim without the locker.
The E07A engine — predecessor to the E07Z
The Attack uses the E07A, a 656cc inline-3 SOHC engine producing 38-40 hp at around 5,300 rpm with roughly 40 lb-ft of torque. It is the direct predecessor to the E07Z found in the later HA6/HA7 generation, sharing the same fundamental mid-engine, chain-driven architecture at a lower output level. There is no belt service interval — same chain-drive advantage as the later E07Z.
The trade-off for choosing the Attack over a newer HA6/HA7 Acty is straightforward: less power (38-40hp vs 45-53hp) in exchange for the genuine diff-lock and crawler gear the later generation does not offer. For the spec breakdown of the E07Z (same architecture, higher output), see the E07Z engine profile.
Check at inspection
For most buyers, the HA4 4WD with a 4-speed manual and a documented service history is the right starting point — an underbody clean enough to read the frame-rail stampings, and no 4WD engagement faults, are the two things worth checking most carefully.
Value and what to expect to pay
The HA3/HA4 generation is the value sweet spot of the entire Acty lineup. It combines straightforward mechanics, full US import eligibility since 2015, wide availability, and — in Attack trim — genuine off-road capability without the complexity of more modern systems.
Expect to budget in the range of $8,000 to $12,000 landed for a well-documented HA4 4WD with verified maintenance history. Pricing varies with condition, trim, and import costs — use our landed cost guidance for a fuller breakdown of duties and fees on top of the purchase price.
Walk away if…
Any HA4 with unclear or undocumented 4WD engagement history, or visible rust at the frame rails. These trucks are now 25+ years old at minimum — rust and drivetrain wear are the two things that separate a good Attack from an expensive mistake.
Attack vs HA6/HA7 — the decision
Choose the Attack (HA3/HA4) if:
- A factory diff-lock and crawler gear are non-negotiable
- You want the simplest, most documented, most widely available diff-lock Acty
- Lower purchase price matters more than peak power
Choose the HA6/HA7 if:
- You want more power and a more modern engine (E07Z vs E07A)
- Real-Time 4WD’s automatic engagement is acceptable without a true locker
- You’re comfortable with the newer generation’s slightly more complex electronics
Related pages
- Full measurements: HA3/HA4 exterior, cargo bed, weight, and tyre fitment
- Full measurements: HA6/HA7 (same body dimensions)
- Honda Acty HA6/HA7 guide
- E07Z engine profile (E07A predecessor — full E07A profile coming soon)
- Which kei trucks have diff-lock?
- Which kei trucks have low range?
- Nōhan vs Attack comparison
- Importing to the USA
- Request a quote for an Acty Attack
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does the Honda Acty Attack have a differential lock?
- Yes. The Attack trim on the second-generation Acty (HA3/HA4, 1990-1999) is the only standard Honda Acty truck trim with a factory locking rear differential, combined with an ultra-low crawler gear for forward and reverse. The rare 1995-only Crawler edition also has it, with tracks added over the rear wheels.
- What is the difference between HA3 and HA4?
- HA3 is the 2WD Acty truck; HA4 is the 4WD Acty truck from the same second generation (1990-1999). The Attack trim specifically requires the HA4 4WD chassis — there is no 2WD Attack.
- Is the Honda Acty Attack eligible to import to the USA?
- Yes, fully. The HA3/HA4 generation (1990-1999) has been progressively eligible under the 25-year rule since 2015, and the entire production run is now well past the 25-year threshold. This is the most readily available diff-lock Acty generation for US buyers today.
- What engine does the Honda Acty Attack have?
- The E07A — a 656cc inline-3 SOHC engine producing 38-40 hp, mid-mounted behind the cab. It predates the E07Z found in the later HA6/HA7 generation and shares the same fundamental chain-driven, mid-engine architecture at a lower output level.
- Is the Acty Attack better than the HA6/HA7 for off-road use?
- For pure off-road capability with a real locker, yes — the Attack has a factory diff-lock and crawler gear that the HA6/HA7's Real-Time 4WD system does not. The HA6/HA7 has more power and a more modern engine, but no locker. If diff-lock and low-range are the priority, the Attack is the correct choice.
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