Top 10 Japanese cars

The Japanese cars have a reputation as one of the most reliable, when you consider them on a par with the Korean or Chinese, but stand out for a better package for the same amount of money if you compare them with the European brands. In Russia, Japanese foreign cars are popular not only in the east of the country, but also in other regions. If you’ve decided to “switch” to one of the Japanese cars, consider the top 10 models, which will simplify your choice.

Rating of the best Japanese cars

Best Japanese sedans

Sedans are practical for urban daily driving and road trips. There are both small and large models among Japanese cars in this body. Here is a number of the best options, selected by experts based on the characteristics of the vehicle and owner reviews.

Toyota Camry

Rating: 4.9

“Toyota Camry is one of the very first cars to appear in Russia from Japan. The sedan belongs to the business class and is available in seven configurations. In recent generations, the “youngest” engine has a rating of 2.0 liters and 150 hp.s. Among the more “charged” modifications there are 2.5 l for 181 l.s. i 3.5 litre, generating 249 litres.s. All variants of the car are available with front-wheel drive and equipped with an automatic transmission. But for fans of the drive it can be a minus, since the acceleration here is smoother, compared to the mechanics. Owners are satisfied in the reviews that the car even in the base comes with R18 discs which give the car a more presentable look. Suspension in the car is independent front and rear, equipped with struts and double wishbones, perfectly smoothing out the bumps.

Japanese sedan is quite large due to the dimensions of 4885x1840x1455 mm, so five people are very comfortable inside. We recommend the car as one of the most spacious, so you don’t have to push with your shoulders and knees.

Advantages

• A wide choice of power units;
• trunk 493 liters;
• can be operated on gasoline AI-92;
• it is easy to turn the steering wheel, thanks to the electric power steering.

Disadvantages

• There is no configuration with a manual transmission;
• Small clearance of 155 mm;
• front-wheel drive only.

Mazda 6

Rating: 4.8

Among the popular Japanese cars, Mazda 6, which is available in six configurations, is in great demand among buyers. All versions of the car have an automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. The engine lineup contains three variants, like the “Camry”, only with other parameters. The buyer can choose a motor with a displacement of 2.0 or 2.5L, the first of which has 150 horsepower.s., and the second one produces 194 or 231 liters.s. Mazda” slightly wins over “Toyota” in terms of ground clearance – 165 vs. 155 mm, but the trunk is 65 liters less, since the car is shorter and has dimensions of 4870x1840x1450 mm. In reviews, owners are pleased that despite the high power, the car consumes on the highway 5.6 l.

We recommend this car as the best, because since the 3rd generation it is equipped with fully LED optics. LED technology is used in headlights, parking lights and taillights. This ensures economical use of battery power, bright lighting and excellent visibility in the dark or in the rain.

Advantages

• gasoline consumption on the highway 5.6 l;
• Electric power steering;
• most configurations with R 19 disks;
• electronic parking brake.

Disadvantages

• Some people miss the manual transmission;
• front-wheel drive only.

Subaru Legacy

Rating: 4.7

Japanese manufacturer Subaru offers the time-tested Legacy sedan, which in recent generations has only one engine option 2.5 liters, working with the output of 175 liters.s. All variator versions are equipped with CVT, so there is no jerk and delay in shifting. In reviews, owners share that the car confidently accelerates up to 200 km/h, and it is relevant for fast driving on the autobahn and really saves time in the long haul. In dimensions the Japanese model is smaller than the above-described and has dimensions of 4800x1840x1500 mm. But this did not prevent the manufacturer to provide it with a trunk of 506 liters, what the developers strongly surprised the buyers.

We marked this Japanese sedan as the best in maneuverability and off-road. Although it does not have the greatest ground clearance, but the car in all configurations is all-wheel drive. Combined with the 175 horsepower of the engine, it’s the most powerful sedan in the world.s., It allows you to confidently overcome the soft ground, sand or high grass. This sedan is less likely to get stuck in snow.

Advantages

• trunk space of 506 liters;
• disks R18;
• Light and rain sensors;
• factory tinted windows.

Disadvantages

• Loses in ground clearance to other Japanese sedans;
• higher price;
• In the latest generations there is only one variant of internal combustion engine.

Toyota Corolla

Rating: 4.6

If you need smaller Japanese sedan, pay attention to Toyota Corolla, which has dimensions of 4630x1780x1435 mm. The car is offered in five options in terms of equipment with comfort and safety features, and may also be equipped with a manual transmission or variator. But the model does not have all-wheel drive version. The manufacturer decided not to develop a large range of engines for the sedan, which is not the flagship of the line, so the car is only available with a gasoline engine 1.6-liter, producing 122 l.s. In the reviews the owners praise the Japanese sedan for quality thermal protection glazing, which really reduces heating of the interior under direct sunlight. Steering column adjusts internally for length of reach and angle of inclination. Inside the car does not stand out with creative design, but a couple of stylish chrome elements are available.

Despite the relatively small dimensions of the body, the car has a wheelbase of 2700 mm, so it is characterized by increased stability during sharp maneuvers. It is less likely to fail to enter a corner at speed or fly off the road.

Advantages

• luggage compartment capacity of 470 liters;
• fuel consumption on the highway 5.3 l;
• factory heat shield glazing;
• A beautiful molding on the front bumper.

Disadvantages

• halogen headlights;
• No rain sensor;
• front-wheel drive only.

Best Japanese SUVs and crossovers

Off-road vehicles are suitable not only for use on hard road surfaces, but also for off-road. Due to this, such cars can be driven close to the shoreline, pass loose ground, get out of a snowdrift. Even higher ground clearance allows to overcome the curb and other obstacles in the city without hitting the protection. Here are the best Japanese models in SUV bodywork, selected by experts.

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Rating: 5.0

Japanese flagship among Toyota SUVs is the Land Cruiser Prado model. The car has been already many times subjected to external changes and refinements, continuing to acquire more and more formidable and powerful look. In the last generation, it features: a hood in relief, vertical wide slats on the grille, high roof rails and square wheel arches that give room for the suspension travel on off-road. Japanese SUV can be purchased with a gasoline engine 2.7L, generating 163 L.s., As well as a more “charged” 4.0 liters, which has an output of 249 hp.s. For those who prefer the reliability and simplicity of diesel, the company offers the 2.8 liters, giving out 177 liters.s. In all configurations, the car is all-wheel-drive, and the driver can choose between a “manual” or automatic transmission.

This is one of the best cars in the SUV body for cross-country capability. Except for a switchable all-wheel drive it has ground clearance of 215 mm, therefore it is almost unreal to “sit on a belly”. We recommend it for those who like to challenge the off-road, to go fishing or hunting.

Advantages

• The trunk 621 liters with the ability to expand up to 1934 liters;
• a lot of legroom and headroom for passengers in the second row;
• Uses a limited slip differential;
• power sunroof.

Disadvantages

• high cost;
• Wheel arches are not protected by plastic against corrosion;
• weighs 2.1-2.9 t.

Mazda CX-5

Rating: 4.9

In second place is a Japanese SUV from Mazda in the CX-5 model. The car is sold in four configurations and is available with front and all-wheel drive. Engine capacity can be 2.0 or 2.5 liters and power from 150 to 194 liters.s. If you want to start more quickly from a traffic light, choose the car in a complete set Drive with a manual transmission. For a smooth and measured ride, pay attention to all other options, as they are with automatic transmission. The Japanese crossover has an interesting sporty design with a huge air intake and narrow headlights. According to reviews, the model is liked by owners thought-out protection of sills and wheel arches with plastic overlays that prevent the effects of sandblasting and corrosion.

We have marked the Japanese car as the best for female drivers who prefer to wear long skirts. The car has an elongated shape of doors, closing the sills all the way down. It keeps the step from the cabin clean and will not stain your clothes.

Advantages

• there is an automatic transmission and manual transmission;
• The car has versions 4WD and 2WD;
• stylish appearance;
• rust protection for arches and sills.

Disadvantages

• The velour interior gets puffs quickly;
• comparatively small trunk 442 l.

Toyota RAV4

Rating: 4.8

The mid-size crossover RAV4 from Toyota is also popular in Russia, especially in the latest generation, which stands out for its complex shape of the front bumper, narrow slanted headlights and a concave middle part of the body that emphasizes “muscularity”. The choice is offered by the RAV 2.0 liters (149 l.s.) or 2.5L (199L.s.). The latter variant comes only with a 4WD drive and an automatic transmission, while the former is equipped with a variator or a manual transmission and may have a switchable differential. The manufacturer has given the car handles and mirrors in the color of the body, which looks very stylish. To raise the fifth door, simply press the button that activates the electric trunk drive. But on the non-contact opening, the manufacturer has spared. Many in the reviews like the push-button engine start and the ergonomic leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The Toyota RAV4 has one of the most capacious trunk – its volume is 580 liters. The dimensions of the body are 4600x1855x1690 mm, so it is convenient to park the car in a limited space.

Advantages

• ground clearance of 195 mm;
• relatively small dimensions of the body;
• the steering wheel is turned with the help of the electric booster;
• The car comes on R18 rims.

Disadvantages

• no contactless opening of the fifth door.

Nissan Qashqai

Rating: 4.7

This Japanese car leads the competition in the number of options. The manufacturer offers 10 equipment options to choose the right one for your specific needs and budget. The simplest version is the modification of the XE with a manual transmission and a turbocharged engine 1.2L at 115L.s. The base model is already equipped with electric power steering, independent multilever suspension, R16 discs, electronic parking brake, electric heated side mirrors.

In the maximum configuration LE Top the Japanese crossover is offered with a motor 2.0 for 144L.s. and variator. Here the steering wheel will have not only electric booster, but also an opportunity to change a gear ratio. When the car is moving slowly, the steering wheel is less sensitive and needs more turns, and at high speed it becomes stiff and responds to the slightest steering. The Japanese Jeep is on R19 aluminum rims, and its optics are fully LED. Thus the difference between the most simple and top versions is 400 thousand Mitsubishi Outlander, 2 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2 Mitsubishi Outlander, 2 Mitsubishi Outlander. rubles.

Advantages

• ground clearance of 200 mm;
• compact dimensions 4379x1836x1590 mm;
• a wide choice of equipment;
• panoramic roof.

Disadvantages

• a relatively small luggage compartment 430 liters;
• buttons of front power windows are located in inconvenient place.

Honda CR-V

Rating: 4.6

One of the popular SUVs in Honda lineup is CR-V. The car is available with 2.0 i 2.4 liters, with output of 150 or 186 liters.s. respectively. Transmission everywhere has the performance of a continuously variable variator, so it is very comfortable to drive. According to reviews, it provides fast acceleration and maneuverability in a dense traffic stream. Fans of making their car test in the style of Off Road enjoy the presence of four-wheel drive, which helps in case of slipping of the front wheels. Ground clearance of 208 mm also allows you to pass curbs and other bumps that others retreat to.

The Japanese crossover’s specialty is the closing grille flaps. In the summertime, they can be opened to the full, increasing the passage of air flow to the radiator cooling system. The shutters are closed in winter, which speeds up the engine’s operating temperature and doesn’t over-cool the system when driving at highway speeds.

Advantages

• high plastic protection of sills and arches;
• Panoramic sunroof;
• beautiful rims;
• Free knee room for rear passengers.

Disadvantages

• The hood does not have a soundproofing panel on the inside;
• sunroof may spontaneously open at speed from vibration.

Mitsubishi Outlander

Rating: 4.4

The car from Japanese corporation Mitsubishi is offered with engines 2.0, 2.4 i 3.0 l. Crossover power ranges from 146 to 227 liters.s. All gasoline engines. In terms of gearboxes there is a choice of variator or automatic transmission. The car with 215 mm clearance was initially designed as automobile with high cross-country ability, therefore all-wheel drive is available in all variants. But on the track it can be turned off to save on fuel. Behind the second row of seats there is room for luggage in the volume of 477 liters, which increases to 1640 liters. Back seats fold down in 60/40 ratio and allow you to carry long and bulky loads along with a passenger in the back. chain rather than belt drive timing is more reliable and will not break on the road.

We marked the car for the alarm system with the function of auto start. You can start the engine by pushing a button while staying in the apartment. This is relevant in winter, not to wait inside the car until the engine warms up, but to use the extra time to get ready. You can get on and go right away.

Advantages

• Beautiful chrome grille;
• protection for sills and arches;
• three internal combustion engine options;
• soft suspension.

Disadvantages

• Older interior in the last generation of the car;
• The doors do not always close with the first time;
• The tachometer has a life of its own;
• gets a lot of unpleasant smells in the cabin when overtaking trucks.