1. Subaru Impreza
   Nissan Cube
2. Honda Civic
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V

Known for its incredible handling and punchy performance, the Subaru Impreza was first introduced to the Japanese market in 1992. This car is now in its fifth generation and remains an excellent seller worldwide.

1. Subaru Impreza
   Nissan Cube
2. Honda Civic
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V

And a cube it is! One of the oddest looking vehicles on the road, the Cube was released by Nissan for sale in Japan in 1998. After a decade, it was made available in both the European and U.S. markets.

1. Subaru Impreza
   Nissan Cube
2. Honda Civic
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V

Since 2012, the Honda Civic has sold more than 1.6 million units in the United States alone. The Civic brand was first introduced by the Japanese automaker in 1972 in the subcompact car bracket. From 2000, however, the Civic has competed in the compact car class.

1. Subaru Impreza
   Nissan Cube
2. Honda Civic
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V

The Evo saw the light of day in the early 1990s. This sports sedan featured front engined four-wheel drive. Not only quick, the Evo handled like a dream as well. Six different generations were produced in the 1990s.

1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
   Acura NSX
2. Honda Civic
   Subaru Impreza

Also known as the Honda NSX, this 2-door sports car became very popular in the United States. Former F1 champion Ayrton Senna even had input into its design.

1. Acura NSX
   Nissan Cube
2. Nissan GT-R
   Honda Civic

One of the finest sports cars on the planet, the Nissan GT-R is not only fast but it handles incredibly! This is a real racer, so don't expect a daily driver here, unless you want to get to your destination quickly. The current generation GT-R was introduced in 2007 and is a following of the Skyline GT-R. It is powered by a 3.8 L twin-turbo V6 engine.

1. Lexus LFA
   Nissan GT-R
2. Nissan Cube
   Acura NSX

A sports car from Lexus, the LFA was produced for just a two-year period from 2010 to 2012. It was one of the most expensive cars offered by the brand and only 500 were built. The LFA was powered by a 4.8-liter V10 capable of producing 552 brake horsepower.

1. Lexus LFA
   Nissan GT-R
2. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V
   Toyota 2000GT

Manufactured under license by Yamaha, the 2000GT sports car was a model offered by Toyota between 1967 and 1970. Essentially, this was the first supercar built by a Japanese firm. The 2000GT was powered by a 2.0-liter straight six engine capable of producing 150 brake horsepower. Only 351 were built.

1. Toyota 2000GT
   Mazda 323
2. Nissan GT-R
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V

The 323, also known as the Familia in Japan, was a small compact car marketed by Mazda for 40 years from 1963. All in all, the Familia included eight generations, each with a range of body styles, including wagons, hatchbacks, and sedans.

1. Subaru Impreza
   Mazda 323
2. Nissan 370Z
   Honda Civic

This two-door, two-seater sports car was first marketed by Nissan in 2009. The 370Z is a model found worldwide, but in Japan, it holds the Fairlady name. This badge goes back to the late '60s when Nissan introduced its first sportscars. The 370Z is available as both a roadster and coupe.

1. Honda S2000
   Nissan Cube
2. Nissan 370Z
   Lexus LFA -

This 2-door roadster was part of the Honda model range from 1999 to 2009. During this time, two generations were produced with around 110,000 sold in the U.S., Japan, U.K., ​and Canada over a 10-year period.

1. Nissan 370Z
   Honda S2000
2. Suzuki Swift Sport
   Nissan GT-R

The Swift is a roadcar produced by Suzuki. It is powered by a 1.6-liter engine.

1. Subaru Levorg
   Suzuki Swift Sport
2. Toyota 2000GT
   Mazda 323

This mid-sized station wagon forms part of the Saburu fleet since 2014. The top of the range model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine. The Levorg is sold in Japan as well as in Europe.

1. Subaru Levorg
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
2. Nissan Cube
   Honda CR-V

A compact SUV, the Honda CR-V first hit the road in Japan in 1997. The fifth generation is currently one of the best-selling models in the United States with more than 357,000 sold in 2016 alone. Honda recently opened a factory in Greensburg, Indiana, that produces the CR-V for the American market.

1. Mitsuoka Orochi
   Lexus LFA
2. Honda CR-V

Produced between 2006 and 2014, the Mitsuoka Orochi is a sports car that was available in Japan as a 2-door coupe or convertible. It is powered by a 3.3-liter Toyota V6

1. Suzuki Swift Sport
   Mitsuoka Orochi
2. Subaru R1
   Nissan GT-R

This funky looking Kei-class vehicle was first introduced by Subaru in 2005 and continued in production till 2010. Essentially, this is a two-door version of Subaru's R2, which is powered by one of three 650cc engines, one of which is supercharged.

1. Subaru R1
   Mitsubishi Montero
2. Honda S2000
   Mazda 323

Also known as the Pajero in parts of the world, this Mitsubishi model has an excellent off-road pedigree and won the Paris-Dakar rally in 1985, its third attempt. The current models are powered by a range of power plants, including a 3.8 Liter V6.

1. Daihatsu Hijet
   Mitsubishi Montero
2. Subaru Impreza
   Nissan 370Z

Built by a lesser-known Japanese manufacturer, the Hijet is a larger pickup truck built for transporting materials or goods. It descends from the Kei line of trucks first built by Daihatsu in the 1960s. Daihatsu even introduced a hybrid version in 2003 that was 30 percent more fuel efficient

1. Subaru R1
   Suzuki Swift Sport
2. Daihatsu Hijet
   Nissan March

Known as the Micra in the rest of the world, the March was first released by Nissan in Japan in 1982. It features in the super-mini car segment and is currently in its fifth generation.

1. Nissan March
   Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
2. Nissan Cube
   Honda Civic

Wanted to own a supercar but thought you never had enough money? Well, in the '90s, thinking outside the box would net you the 3000GT VR4. Not only a good looker, the VR4 pushed out some awesome performance numbers at a fraction of the cost of other supercars.

1. Subaru Impreza
   Mazda Biante
2. Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4
   Nissan 370Z

Sold mostly in Japan but also in some Asian countries, the Biante, built from 2004 is an 8-seater, large MPV. It offers three engine options, one of which is based on the Mazda's Skyactive Technology which provides increased fuel consumption and reduced emissions. Only a hanfdful of countries feature the Biante, with Indonesia the first.

1. Mazda Biante
   Subaru Levorg
2. Toyota Allion
   Mazda 323

First marketed in 2001, the Allion competes in the compact car segment. This 4-door sedan is sold only in Japan. Current models offer only an automatic transmission while there are three petrol engines from which to choose.

1. Daihatsu Hiject
   Toyota Allion
2. Nissan Note
   Honda CR-V

A mini MPV, the Note first entered the Japanese market in 2004. This hatchback styled vehicle offers comfortable seating for five and has a range of engine options, including the e-power hybrid engine launched in 2016. This is different from other hybrid engines in the fact that the electric engine always powers the wheels while the petrol engine charges the battery.

1. Toyota Alphard
   Nissan 370Z
2. Honda Civic
   Nissan Note

Made mostly for the Japanese market, the Alphard is named after the brightest star in the Hydra constellation. This luxury MPV, first marketed in 2002 is still in production. It features three different models and is available as either a seven or eight seater. Now in its third generation, the Alphard top of the range model is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine.

1. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
   Toyota Alphard
2. Acura RLX
   Lexus LFA

The flagship of the Acura brand, the RLX was first introduced in 2013 and is now in its second generation. It features an all-wheel steering system, all-wheel drive and is definitely aimed to compete with luxury German models. It offers both a hybrid and gasoline engine.

1. Acura RLX
   Subaru Impreza
2. Honda S2000
   Toyota Century

A long-serving model in the Toyota range, the Century was first marketed in 1967. This four-door limo is the flagship model for the brand in Japan and is used by the emperor, prime minister, as well as Japanese businessmen. It is currently in its third generation.

1. Mazda Scrum
   Acura NSX
2. Toyota Century
   Mitsuoka Orochi

The Scrum, introduced in 1989, was originally badged as the company's another marque, Autozam. It features in two body shapes, a micro truck and a cab over microvan. The Scrum is powered by a 660 cc DOHC three-cylinder engine and has both 2-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive variants.

1. Toyota Isis
   Nissan GT-R
2. Mitsubishi Montero
   Mazda Scrum

This minivan entered the Toyota stable in 2004. Available only in Japan, the Isis was designed by Hiroshi Okamoto. Transmission is automatic, while the Isis is powered by either a 1.8 or 2.0-liter engine.

1. Lexus CT
   Toyota Isis
2. Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI
   Nissan Note

Introduced in 2011, the CT is a hybrid sports hatchback based on the Toyota MC platform also used for the Matrix and Corolla. The petrol engine used in this hybrid system is a 1.8-liter straight four while the electric engine is powered by a 1.3 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery.

1. Mazda Biante
   Lexus CT
2. Nissan Cube
   Subaru Forester

First launched in 1997, this compact cross-over from Japanese car maker Subaru is currently in its fourth generation. With seating for five, impressive cargo space and above average gas mileage figures, the Forester is not be overlooked in the crossover segment.

1. Subaru Forester
   Honda S2000
2. Mazda Laputa
   Daihatsu Hijet

This Kei or city car was produced in Japan between 1999 and 2006 as either a 3-door or 5-door hatchback. Like many vehicles in this class, the Laputa featured a 700cc engine and both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive models were available.

1. Toyota Chaser
   Mazda Laputa
2. Honda CR-V
   Nissan 370Z

Available in Japan only, the Chaser was produced between 1977 and 2001, first as a compact car and then from 1988, in the mid-sized car segment. The Chaser shared the same chassis with two other Toyota models, the Cressida/Mark II, and the Cresta. Thanks to its front engined, rear-wheel drive layout, the Chaser became a popular car to use in drifting.

1. Toyota Chaser
   Acura RLX
2. Lexus HS
   Nissan March

The first hybrid vehicle from Lexus, the HS was marketed from 2009 to 2014. It was based on the Toyota MC platform also used for both the Corolla and Matrix. This luxury 4-door sedan was marketed in the United States from 2009 to 2012. Sales, however, were below expectation.

1. Mitsuoka Orochi
   Suzuki Swift Sport
2. Acura Integra Type-R
   Lexus HS

In 2006, the Integra Type-R was named the ‘best front-wheel-drive car ever’ by Evo magazine. That’s high praise indeed.

1. Acura Integra Type-R
   Toyota Isis
2. Lexus RC
   Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

This two-door coupe, first produced in 2015, is a real looker. Engine options start with a 2-0 liter powerplant but the top of the range RC is powered by a 5.0 L 2UR-GSE V8 engine.

1. Suzuki Cappuccino
   Lexus HS
2. Daihatsu Be-go
   Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4

First released in 1997, this mini-SUV is now in its third generation and is related to the Toyota Rush.

1. Lexus RC
   Subaru R1
2. Lexus HS
   Acura TSX

A compact executive model, the TSX featured as an Acura model from 2003 to 2014. It is sold all over the world with the second generation available as a sedan and station wagon. The top of the range model has a 3.8-liter V6 engine that produces 280 brake horsepower.

1. Mitsubishi FTO
   Acura TSX
2. Nissan March
   Acura Integra Type-R

Produced between 1994 and 2000, the FTO is a front-wheel-drive coupe from Mitsubishi. It was Car of the Year in Japan in 1994/1995.

1. Mitsubishi FTO
   Suzuki Cappuccino
2. Lexus RC
   Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI

This two-door roadster with a detachable hardtop was produced by Suzuki from 1991 to 1997. It was powered by a 650cc double overhead cam engine.

1. Mitsubishi Montero
   Suzuki Cappuccino
2. Nissan GT-R
   Daihatsu Wake

The Wake from Daihatsu certainly has a very different look and is not everyone’s cup of tea. This 5-door hatchback is powered by a 650cc engine.