Did you know that Japan is the leading global supplier of new and used cars? The country is well known for producing some of the best cars at affordable prices. This country consistently manufactures quality vehicles that are a favorite amongst drivers. Unlike other countries only known for producing a particular type of car, Japan is famed for its sedans, coupes, rally cars, sports cars, and supercars. The Japanese auto industry has played a significant role in automobile history and has helped shape the way cars are designed and manufactured. Interestingly, many cars to come out of Japan can boast of being environmentally friendly. Japanese vehicles also outrank many other global manufacturers in interior and exterior design and features and performance capabilities. With so many legendary, iconic, and memorable Japanese cars being some of the greatest on earth, it is incredibly difficult to narrow down which are the best. On our list, we will have a closer look at 10 of the best Japanese cars of all time. Many of the cars featured have sparked revolutions in car culture and have influenced generations of automotive enthusiasts and collectors. 1. 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser J40 Sergey Kohl/Shutterstock One of the greatest SUV vehicles of all time was manufactured in Japan. The 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser J40 was infamously known for its utilitarian feel. Although this Japanese car didn’t possess all the bells and whistles of the modern-day SUV, it was still a hit amongst heavy-duty vehicle fans. Interestingly, the 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser J40 was on the market for more than 40 years, making it one of the longest-running SUVs to be manufactured. It was manufactured from 1960 straight through until 2001. Ever since it has gone out of production, it has become a much sought-after vehicle amongst collectors. The 1960 Toyota Land Cruiser J40 has a body-on-frame with a short wheelbase. When it first hit markets, it was unmatched. It routinely beat the competition when it came to off-road capabilities. This car could be bought in either diesel or petrol, and it had eight different powertrain options. Additionally, this vehicle achieved a highway speed of approximately 62 mph with 3,000 rpm. 2. 1967 Toyota 2000GT Mario Puskar/Shutterstock Before Toyota became a well-known and respected brand, it was a small Japanese vehicle manufacturer aspiring to reach the global automotive market. That’s why the 1967 Toyota 2000GT is undoubtedly one of the most important vehicles the brand ever built, as this sporty coupe put the brand on the global map. Soon after it was released, it became a sensation amongst car enthusiasts because of its stylish appearance and impressive performance. This model had six cylinders, allowing it to reach impressive speeds of up to 150 mph. Additionally, it also possessed superb handling that allowed it to compete with race car vehicles. Interestingly, this car became so popular that it featured in the 1967 James Bond film You Only Live Twice. Yet not everyone could afford the 1967 Toyota 2000GT as it had a hefty price tag of roughly $6,800 at the time. This price made it more expensive than the comparable Jaguar and Porsche models. Perhaps because of its price, Toyota only manufactured 360 GT models between 1967 and 1969. Due to this low manufacturing figure, the models are incredibly rare and sought after by collectors. 3. 2003 Nissan GT-R R34 Z Tune Garage Dreams Many people fervently believe that the Japanese 2003 Nissan GT-R R34 Z Tune was one of the best sports cars ever created. Not only was this sports car one of the best in terms of performance capabilities, but it was also one of Japan’s most renowned cars because it was the last skyline to be designed and developed. This model came about when the in-house design team Nismo took pre-existing Nissan R34 GT-Rs and modified them to be Z Tunes. They did this by installing new automotive parts and modifying the original vehicle’s chassis. Essentially Nismo took apart the original R34 GT-Rs and completely rebuilt them. The chassis featured a reinforced carbon fiber chassis which allowed the vehicle to be lightweight which gained its impressive speed specifications. The 2003 Nissan GT-R R34 Z Tune also featured a wholly redesigned exterior, Brembo brakes, and an impressive suspension setup. Additionally, this Japanese sports car possessed a heavy-weight 2.8-liter engine that produced 500 horsepower. This impressive engine reached 0 to 62 mph in only 3.8 seconds, and it had an impressive top speed of approximately 201 mph. 4. 1992 Honda NSX-R gran-turismo.fandom.com The 1992 Honda NSX-R is one of the most loved Japanese cars of all time. Unlike the original NSX models, the NSX-R models offered a greater driving experience due to being designed with track-orientated features. Interestingly, Honda took the original NSX models and modified them to become the NSX-R’s. For Honda to manufacture a more track-orientated NSX-R, they had to strip down the original NSX’s to its base forms. The engineers removed everything from the sound-deadening insulation and the car’s audio system to the airconditioning. By completing these modifications, they managed to reduce the vehicle’s overall weight by 264 pounds which allowed the 1992 Honda NSX-R to offer superb handling and improved drivability. This Japanese car had a 3-liter V6 engine and a balanced crankshaft which allowed it to perform well during races. Astonishingly the 1992 Honda NSX-R achieved a time equal to a Ferrari Challenge Stradale at the Nurburgring track even though it had significantly less horsepower than the Ferrari. 5. 1972 Honda Civic global.honda Did you know that the Honda Civic models are amongst the most popular cars in the world? Yet this would not be the case if Japanese manufacturer Honda did not release the 1972 Honda Civic. This compact sedan has managed to become one of the most easily identifiable cars in the global auto industry. The Honda 1972 might not have been a flashy sportscar with the fastest speeds or a rugged SUV. Still, it was a durable, affordable, and economical vehicle suited to families and business professionals. Due to this, the 1972 Honda Civic became Honda’s first commercially successful vehicle. Arguably without the Civic, the company might not be as successful as it is today. This three-door trapezoidal style hatchback model had some impressive features, capabilities, and specifications, some of which include a four-wheel independent strut suspension system, a 1.1-liter engine, a four-speed manual transmission, and a top speed of roughly 96 mph. See more about - The World’s 10 Best Hypercars Of All Time 6. 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi robbreport.com During the 1990s, there was perhaps no better rally car than the 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi. There were only 400 of these vehicles manufactured for the Japanese market, and every single one of them sold within 48 hours of the cars being placed for sale. However, an extra 24 22B STi’s were manufactured for the export market, where most were sold to the United Kingdom. Due to their rarity, they are quite sought after, and when they do go up for sale, they can be incredibly pricey. The 1998 Subaru Impreza 22B STi was fitted with a powerful 2.4 liter EJ22G engine capable of producing 276 horsepower. It was also fairly lightweight at approximately 2,744 pounds. Additionally, this vehicle reached 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and managed a top speed of 157 mph. 7. 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD gran-turismo.fandom.com Although the 1993 Mazda RX-7 FD is considered one of the greatest Japanese cars of all time, it is also one of the world’s most iconic sports cars to ever exist. This vehicle was labeled one of the “most exhilarating sports cars in the world” by Road and Track in 1993, which is a testament to the mark it has made on the world. Despite its somewhat boxy appearance, the RX-7 FD had a smooth flowing bodywork design that captured the attention of all who laid eyes upon it. This vehicle was outfitted with a 1.3-liter turbocharged engine with a 5-speed manual transmission. The 1993 Mazda RX-7FD produced up to 276 horsepower and could reach 62 mph in roughly five seconds. Additionally, this sports car was capable of a top speed of 160 mph which was impressive for a vehicle of the 1990s. 8. 1970 Datsun 240Z betto rodrigues/Shutterstock One of the most stylish high-performance vehicles to ever exist is the 1970 Datsun 240Z. This Japanese sports car was the first model from the country to find commercial success in the United States. Although this car looked incredibly expensive, it was one of the more affordable sports cars of the 70s. The 1970 Datsun 240Z stood apart from its competition. The design team planned and executed this car to perfection. It had the appearance of an exotic European car with its Jaguar-style body, Porsche headlights, and Aston Martin profile. However, it wasn’t its looks alone that have allowed this vehicle to be one of the best of all time; it was also its impressive performance capabilities. This Japanese sports car had a 2.0-liter tank with a straight-six SOHC engine which allowed it to achieve a top speed of between 120 and 130 mph. Additionally, this vehicle’s interior was just as lovely as its exterior. It possessed bucket seats that molded to your body, allowing for a comfortable driver experience each time. 9. 1991 Mitsubishi GTO (3000GT) Pinterest The Mitsubishi GTO 3000GT was one of the most technologically advanced cars of its time. It was designed to compete with other famous Japanese models at the time and surpassed expectations to become a car still relevant in the automobile industry today. This Japanese vehicle had an incredibly impressive engine. It was fitted with a 3-liter 24 valve DOHC V6 engine that could be either naturally aspirated or could have two turbochargers. With such an impressive engine, it’s unsurprising that it was able to produce 300 horsepower. The engine is not the only thing that sets this vehicle apart from its competitors. The 1991 Mitsubishi GTO 3000GT had an active aero system that helped improve downforce, an all-wheel-drive system, and a four-wheel steering system. The vehicle was also equipped with an electronically controlled suspension which improved shock absorption and allowed for a better feeling drive experience. 10. 1970 Toyota Celica Ken Morris/Shutterstock One of the best budget-friendly sports cars to come out of Japan is the 1970 Toyota Celica. This sporty coupe was sought after by those who couldn’t afford the much pricier 1967 Toyota 2000GT. Interestingly, this model is one of the longest-running sports cars to be manufactured as it was only discontinued in 2006 after 36 years in production. The 1970 Toyota Celica was the brands’ version of a Mustang, which means it was an image car rather than a high volume car. Yet the Celica models have been well respected in the automotive world for their durability and reliability for years. This vehicle had a coke bottle style design which was reminiscent of the muscle cars of the era. It also had a 2-liter inline-four engine that could go from 0 to 60 mph in 11.5 seconds and could reach a top speed of 104 mph. See more about - The 10 Greatest American-Made Cars
