Japanese cars are renowned worldwide for their quality and performance. Brands like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Mazda are popular among consumers, as their cars not only meet drivers’ expectations but often exceed them.
For buyers, whether looking for fuel-efficient, compact city-friendly sedans, versatile SUVs, or high-performance sports cars, Japanese car brands can cater to everyone’s needs.
Here are some outstanding car models produced by the leading Japanese car manufacturers, as chosen by “U.S. News & World Report.” These vehicles feature versatile interiors, advanced safety features, and cutting-edge entertainment systems.
Score: 8.7/10 | Starting Price: $23,950
The Honda Civic is a masterpiece in the compact car segment, boasting spacious, upscale interiors, responsive handling, impressive fuel economy, and numerous standard features. The Civic comes equipped with keyless ignition, automatic climate control, an intuitive infotainment system, and the Honda Sensing driver assistance suite.
The Civic features a base 158-horsepower four-cylinder engine. While not particularly powerful, Honda also offers a turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower, or the Civic Si model with 200 horsepower. The base engine with automatic transmission achieves city fuel economy of 31 miles per gallon and 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
—
Score: 8.6/10 | Starting Price: $38,240
The Honda Odyssey is the only minivan on the list and was chosen as the most value-for-money minivan of 2024 by “U.S. News.” It features three rows of comfortable seats and up to 158 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. The Odyssey comes with family-friendly features like CabinTalk intercom and CabinWatch monitor, along with a rear-seat entertainment system.
The Odyssey comes with a 3.5-liter V6 engine that delivers 280 horsepower through a 10-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels. It features three-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a range of driver assistance features.
—
Score: 8.6/10 | Starting Price: $31,800
The 2024 Acura Integra is a comprehensive compact luxury car combining sporty performance, upscale features, and practicality. It is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 200 horsepower, paired with an A-Spec continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual for a more engaging driving experience.
The Integra boasts high-quality interiors, comfortable seats, and modern tech features, including a standard 10.2-inch digital gauge cluster and a user-friendly touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Standard safety features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking.
—
Score: 8.6/10 | Starting Price: $29,300
The Toyota GR86 is the sister model of the Subaru BRZ, jointly developed by Toyota and Subaru. These two cars share the same design with respective brand badges on the hood. The GR86 features the same 228-horsepower four-cylinder engine, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.
The GR86 boasts a driver-centric, comfortable cabin with dual-zone automatic climate control, two USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 2024 GR86 introduces new special Trueno editions and high-performance packages with unique styling elements, Sachs dampers, and Brembo brakes.
—
Score: 8.6/10 | Starting Price: $30,195
The 2024 Subaru BRZ is a rare gem in today’s automotive market—a budget-friendly, driver-centric rear-wheel-drive sports car. It is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 228 horsepower transmitted through a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The BRZ offers direct, engaging handling for driving enthusiasts.
Inside, the BRZ features supportive seats and modern tech, including a user-friendly infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The BRZ comes equipped with driver assistance systems like front and rear automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control.
—
Score: 8.5/10 | Starting Price: $24,170
The 2024 Mazda 3 stands out in the compact car segment, thanks to its strong acceleration, nimble handling, and smooth driving experience. The car’s cabin is crafted with high-quality materials and features a user-friendly infotainment system. Standard features include keyless ignition, two USB ports, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto.
The Mazda 3 comes with a base 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine, with an optional upgraded turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 227 horsepower, or even 250 horsepower with premium fuel. The Mazda 3 cleverly combines sporty handling with a comfortable suspension system to absorb road imperfections, providing a more comfortable ride.
—
(Continued in next message)