This article contains the best Japanese crossovers, keycars , and sports cars.
Top 5 most beautiful Japanese crossovers:
5-th place: Toyota mega cruiser (1995-2002)
5th place of the most beautiful Japanese crossovers is occupied by an interesting experiment from Toyota. Toyota Mega Cruiser is a car whose design combines the classic Japanese design and American style of Hummer H1. However, unlike the Humvee, this car was more maneuvrable and civilian, It had a very complex all-wheel-drive system which was used in the Japanese army. So, Toyota once again created a unique car with the original design that deserves attention.
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4-th place: Daihatsu taft (1974-1984)
4th place is given to Daihatsu Taft which has a very simple and classic design. If Mega Cruiser is a Japanese Humvee, then Taft is a Japanese Jeep. It should also be mentioned that in the 1960s this car was the smallest among all-wheel-drive cars in the world which makes it even more interesting. This car is also similar to the Asia Rocsta which is still produced today. Toyota should be given credit for honoring tradition with the new Hilux Champ. Champ combines the simplicity of design and classic shapes, just like Taft did in his time.
3-rd place: isuzu vehicross (1997-2001)
Next, we have a very futuristic and innovative Isuzu Vehicross. Vehicross was one of the few concept cars that the conservative Japanese made into a production model. This crossover had a very progressive all-wheel-drive system and other features for the comfort of the driver and passengers. It is also interesting that this car had a 190 horsepower V6 engine, which made it even more unique. Adding to this a total edition of 5,000 copies, we get a unique car.
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2-nd place: mitsuoka buddy (2020)
2nd place is taken by the unique Mitsuoka Buddy which combines the American design of the 70s and Japanese style. It is interesting that under the brutal American design it hides a hybrid installation of Toyota Rav4. In total, Mitsuoka planned to make 200 copies but the car became so popular that Buddy is still open to orders. Mitsuoka did the impossible – it combined the Chevrolet Suburban and Rav4 which at first glance are incompatible. Mitsuoka Buddy shows that it’s necessary to experiment and not be afraid.
1-st place: toyota century suv (2023)
And the leader of our today’s list is the Toyota Century SUV. If the Toyota Mega Cruiser is a Japanese Humvee, the Daihatsu Taft is a Jeep Rubicon, then the Century is a Japanese Rolls Royce. To date, this is the most expensive Toyota and it can be bough in the Japanese market only. This car was created for the royal court! The only minus is a hybrid V6 instead of the legendary V12. This Toyota even has a convertible version, and to order this car you need to go through a selection from Toyota.
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Top 5 most exciting Japanese kei cars:
5-th place: daihatsu midget 2 (1996-2001)
Well, the top of the Kei cars is opened by the Daihatsu Midget – a small compact Japanese car whose design has very simple but classic features. It became a symbol of Japanese subculture and was even revived in 1996 becoming legendary again.
4-th place: nissan pao (1989-1991)
4th place in the ranking is taken by the Nissan Pao, which has the features of the classic Mini Cooper design usual to JDM. It is interesting that this car was not even advertised but more than 50,000 cars were bought in three months. After that, the car was almost impossible to get. However, there are modern technologies under the classic design, including even a fiberglass roof.
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3-rd place: Mitsuoka ray(1997-2002)
The middle of our top is occupied by another masterpiece of Mitsuoka. The Ray model was based on the Daihatsu Opti and received a classic British design. Considering that only 1000 copies were made, the car is a rarity even on the Japanese market. Mitsuoka Ray, in addition to its unique design, was also distinguished by its premium interior which made it a unique kei car.
2-nd place: honda s660 (2015-2022)
The second place among the Kei cars is occupied by the unique Honda S660. It combines the features of all Honda sports cars. Here you can find both the style of the NSX and Honda Civic. This car is called the “Baby Sportcar” or the cheapest mid-engine roadster. Interestingly, the car still remained a Kei car with a 660 cc engine and 64 hp.
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1-st place: Mazda autozam Az-1 (1992-1994)
Well, the leader of the kei cars is the legendary Mazda Autozam Az-1. In concept, this car is similar to the Honda S660 but if Honda did it in 2015, Mazda created its masterpiece in 1992. Mazda Autozam received a unique design that was complemented by gull-wing doors. Az-1 was a very unique car, developed together with Suzuki, and only 5,000 copies were produced.
Top 7 most beautiful Japanese sports cars:
7-th place: mitsubishi 3000gt vr-4 (1990-2001)
Opens our Japanese top sports cars list the legendary Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 coupe. This car was on par with such legendary cars as Toyota Supra or Nissan Skyline but remains in their shadow despite having an all-wheel-drive system and active aerodynamics. Interestingly, Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 has an American brother Dodge Stealth with a similar design. Besides, Mitsubishi built a Spider version with a super progressive folding roof.
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6-th place: Mitsuoka rockstar (2000-2006)
6th place of our top is occupied by a very interesting experiment, namely Mitsuoka Rockstar. This car combines the features of several cars at once. Here you can also find the Chevrolet Corvette of the 60s or new Aston Martin car – Victor. Under the classic design, the Mazda MX-5 chassis is hidden. Only 200 copies of this unique car were made and it was initially planned that the car should be electric-powered.
5-th place: Honda Nsx (1990-2005)
5th place for the unique Honda NSX with a mid-engine layout. This car was developed together with Ayrton Senna. This car humiliated the Ferrari 348, which led to the F355. Honda had a suspension from Formula 1 and could have had a V8 engine! Honda even made a replica of the Nurburgring circle for testing the car.
Read too: Alfa Romeo Navajo history: The boldest Bertone experiment
4-th place: mitsuoka orochi (2001-2014)
4th place is hello from the future, namely Mitsuoka Orochi. If Rockstar and Buddy are inspired by American cars of the 60s, 70s, then Orochi adheres to biodesign. This “mythical snake” was hand-assembled with a large number of modifications. Mitsuoka made only 400 copies of this unique car, so it is rare even in Japan.
3-th place: Nissan skyline 2000 GT-R (hakosuka) (1968-1972)
3rd place is taken by a unique JDM: Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R. This car remains in the shadow of its more brutal successors but it cannot be underestimated, since it had a classic design and was the first Nissan with the GT-R nameplate. At the moment, these Hakosuka are worth more than $300,000. Even then, this “Godzilla” destroyed its competitors on the track, despite not having a turbo and all-wheel drive.
Read too: New Porsche 914 2025: A modern take on a 70s icon
2-nd place: Lexus lfa (2010-2012)
2nd place is for the Lexus LFA. In total 500 copies of this legendary Lexus with V10 and an aluminum body were produced. Interestingly, this car was tested under the guise of a Toyota Supra in order not to attract attention. Even considering the price of $375,000, Toyota “gave away” each LFA, because they spent more on development than they earned. The characteristics of the Lexus LFA are impressive, this monster accelerates to 100 in just 3.7 seconds and can reach a maximum speed of 325 km/h. The car could have a manual transmission and even a hybrid installation.
1-st place: toyota 2000gt (1967-1970)
Well, the favorite is a very exciting car that combines Japanese design and classic lines that are more typical of the British cards, not Toyota. 2000GT was filmed in Bond and had a convertible version. It is interesting that the car could have become the Nissan 2000GT, since the project was developed by Yamaha and broke 16 world records. A total of 351 units were made, but there was a factory-tuned version which was produced just in 9 copies!
Read too: How the new Ford Capri EV echoes the Polestar 2
Conclusion:
Japanese design is very specific and ambiguous, and cars like some Lexus crossovers or the Nissan Qashqai are disgusting, but as we just found out, the Japanese have a completely different side…. and this side holds treasures full of incredible cars!