The JDM world is known by names such as Toyota Supra, Subaru WRX STI, Nissan GT-R Nismo, and 370Z Nismo. Despite these well-known models, JDM cars are so much more. With the Fast and Furious popularizing the JDM subculture in the Western world, the demand for these cars has also been on the rise. There are fantastic JDM cars that don't carry names such as the Honda Civic or Mitsibushi Lancer Evo.
All the well-known JDM brands make an appearance. There are fast vehicles and hidden gems that offer great luxury; even a quirky crossover that would make a killer comeback! The popularity of JDM cars even created competition from within the brands themselves to produce the ever more popular JDM car for both the Japanese markets and the Americans.
JDM cars hold a special place in the hearts of millions worldwide; with so many great underrated cars to choose from, these are the most underrated to have come from JDM car companies. Compared to the highly-rated cars out there, these underrated beauties offer something for every JDM car fan.
10 Toyota 86
.jpg?q=50&fit=crop&w=750&dpr=1.5)
The Toyota 86 takes a back seat to the more powerful Supra, but this car offers a sporty ride with character! Designed in tandem with Subaru to produce the Toyota 86 and the Subaru BRZ, design elements from both companies are visible within the contours of the Toyota 86.
The new version of the 86, dubbed the GR86 (after Toyota's Gazoo Racing performance division), starts at $28,000, which is $15,000 less than a base Supra. Additionally, the Toyota 86 has a 6-speed manual transmission which helps push 228 hp to the rear wheels providing the car with a more fun ride than the numbers would suggest, and in a cheaper package than the Supra!
9 Subaru Outback H6-3.0 Sedan
The Subaru Outback has many great features, but the Outback that is most underrated is the Subaru Outback H6-3.0 Sedan. To be clear, the Outback did have a wagon version of the H6-3.0; however, it was the Sedan version that stood out the most. Sporting a similar design to the Legacy sedan, the Outback H6-3.0 had more power.
The Subaru Outback H6-3.0 Sedan, as the name suggests, was supplied with a 3.0L V6 engine capable of producing 212 hp. It was a competitor of the Subaru Impreza WRX, which often overshadows this unique version of the Subaru Outback.
8 Honda Prelude
The Honda Prelude was produced for several decades starting in the late 70s and ceased production in 2001. Being most popular in the 1980s, sales for the Prelude dropped significantly in the 90s, but the Prelude provided a fun alternative to the Toyota Celica.
The Prelude screams classic JDM car. It was equipped with a 4-cylinder engine that brought almost 200 hp to the front wheels. The Honda Prelude sits on 16-inch wheels, and design elements taken from the Accord made it feel like classic Honda. Eventually, though, the Prelude couldn't keep up with the likes of the Civic SI or the S2000 and was canned.
7 Mitsubishi Eclipse
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is well eclipsed by the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo. Originally marketed as an entry-level two-door sports car, the Mitsubishi Eclipse had a coupe design that carried the trademark front-wheel drive on the lower trim levels. AWD was an option on upgraded trims such as the GSX, GSX Turbo, and GTS.
Mitsubishi supplied several variations of the Eclipse with a 3.0L V6 engine, capable of producing upwards of 265 hp. Sadly enough, Mitsubishi ended production of the sports car version of the Eclipse in 2011. Although plagued with recalls during its run, the model was popular enough to be revived through the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross, a crossover SUV.
6 Honda Accord Type-R
Via Honest John Classics
The Honda Accord Type-R is an obscure updated version of the Type-R family that was released for the European market. Much hype surrounds the famous Honda Civic Type-R, but the Accord Type-R has some features that made it popular across Europe.
Sporting a 2.2L 4-cylinder engine, the Honda Accord Type-R was capable of pushing 217 hp. Additionally, the Accord Type-R came with Recaro seats, Xenon headlamps, and leather trim making it almost luxurious inside. It is quite a shame that these upgraded Accords never made it to the United States, as the improved features would have been a hit amongst Honda enthusiasts.
5 Isuzu VehiCROSS
The quirky VehiCross is a two-door crossover that was ahead of its time. Taking some features from the Chevy Trooper, the Isuzu VehiCROSS was an aggressive off-road machine. Placed at the smaller end of the SUV family, the market for a small JDM SUV wasn't ready for the VehiCROSS.
Using a computer-controlled system to switch between AWD and 4WD when conditions were sketchy, the Isuzu VehiCROSS was the ultimate compact crossover. Further, the VehiCROSS packed a 3.5L V6 capable of powering 215 hp, which with a modern upgrade would put the VehiCROSS into a class of its own. It is about time the VehiCROSS made a comeback.
4 Accura Legend
Drake once rapped about the Acura days, and he was referring to the Acura Legend. The Acura Legend was a 3.2 230-hp V6 powered luxury sports sedan that was overlooked in favor of the Integra. While the Integra featured more substantial numbers, the Legend was unique in its own right.
Featuring leather seating, moonroof and, other luxury features, the Acura Legend was part sporty sedan, part executive car. This JDM classic would be rebranded as the 3.5RL, but it will never capture the Acura Legend's character as one of the most underrated JDM cars.
3 Suzuki Cappuccino
Suzuki targeted both the Toyota MR2 and Mazda MX-5 Miata with the Cappuccino. The Suzuki Cappuccino was constructed to meet Kei's specifications. This tiny 2-seater was a convertible featuring a removable T-top, making it stylish despite its size. In addition to its small size, the Suzuki Cappuccino also featured a small engine.
At just 64 hp, the Suzuki Cappuccino was installed with an I3 turbo engine under the hood. Despite the sub-100 numbers, the low weight of the Cappuccino allowed a top speed of 93MPH and a 0-60 in less than 9 seconds, making this tiny car a fun drive!
2 Mitsubishi 3000GT
The Mitsubishi 3000GT, titled GTO in Japan, was a 4-seat coupe that competed with the Nissan 300ZX and the Mazda RX-7. Sharing the US market with the modified name Dodge Stealth, the Mitsubishi 3000GT lost some of its popularity over its rivals. During that time, the Nissan and Mazda were more popular, but the Mitsubishi 3000GT was a capable coupe in its own right.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT came with a V6 standard; however, some models came with a V6 twin-turbo, which pushed a fantastic 320 hp. With power like that, the 3000GT outperformed the RX-7 and the 3000GT. Further, including an AWD combined with JDM car reliability makes it a shame Mitsubishi phased out the 3000GT.
1 Nissan Silvia S15
The Nissan Silva S15 arrived in 1999 with a powerful engine and featured aggressive styling both inside and out. The Nissan Silva was overshadowed in the 1990s by the more popular Nissan Skyline. Available as an RWD, the Nissan Silva had sports car in its veins; unfortunately, it saw its end in 2002.
Nissan packed the Silva S15 with a turbocharged inline-4 engine which boasted a fantastic 247 hp. Further, the coupe design and RWD make it unique in the JDM car world. The Nissan Silva was indeed an underrated JDM car.