Toyota and Mazda are two companies that have proven themselves as builders of some of the greatest sports cars to come out of Japan. Over the years, the Japanese automotive industry has given birth to a good number of sports cars that can give European companies a run for their money. Although Toyota is renowned for building some of the most reliable, practical, and economical vehicles, it has also excelled in the sports car segment.

Cars like the Supra, Celica, and MR2 are a few of the names that are synonymous with power, agility, and quality. Not to be outdone by the competition, Mazda has built a fearsome reputation in the area of innovation. By daring to be different from the crowd, it has built the likes of the MX-6, RX-7 Spirit R, and the legendary MX-5 Miata. That said, read on for a list of five of the sports cars from Toyota and five from Mazda.

10 Toyota Supra GR

Toyota Supra GR - Front quarter
Toyota

The Toyota Supra GR was developed in collaboration with BMW and launched as a 2020 model in 2019 at the North American International Auto Show. All-new for the fifth generation, it comes with two turbocharged BMW engines - a 2-liter 4-cylinder with 255 hp and a 3-liter 6-cylinder with 382 who.

Toyota Supra GR
Via Toyota Pressroom

Both engines return excellent fuel economy while taking the Supra to 60 mph in 5 seconds for the 4-cylinder, and 3.9 seconds for the 6-cylinder. Offered only with an 8-speed automatic transmission, the Supra GR provides balanced and lively handling.

9 Toyota Corolla GT Coupe

White Toyota Corolla GT Coupe
Via Japanese Nostalgic Car

The Corolla GT Coupe is one of the two body styles of the Toyota AE86 series of the fifth-generation Corolla marketed between 1983 and 1987. Power was drawn initially from a 1.6-liter inline 4-cylinder engine that delivered 128 hp and 110 lb-ft of torque through a 5-speed manual transmission.

Toyota Corolla GT Coupe
Via Cityam

Channeling power to the rear wheels sent the light coupe comfortably to a top speed of 122 mph. Affordable and easily modifiable, it offered an optional limited-slip differential, became popular with drifters, and went on to inspire the Toyota 86.

related: Honda Vs Toyota: Here's Who Makes The Better Budget Sports Cars

8 Toyota MR2 MkII

Steve-Tudor and His MR2 MKII
Via Toyota UK Magazine

Produced from 1989 to 1999, the redesigned second-generation MR2 was larger, heavier, and more powerful than the previous generation. Of the 2 trims that made it stateside, the base trim ran on a naturally aspirated 2.2-liter inline-4 that paired either with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Red MR2
Via ThatDudeinBlue: Youtube

The higher trim featured a 2-liter turbocharged I-4 that delivered 200 ponies and 200 lb-ft of torque through a 5-speed manual transmission. Not just more spacious and luxurious, the MkII could also hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and clear the quarter-mile in 14.7 seconds (US turbo model).

7 Toyota Celica GT-Four

1996 Toyota Celica GT-Four
Torque GT

Development of the history-making Celica GT-Four began with a convertible prototype that was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 1985. Production began in 1986, and the turbocharged full-time AWD GT-Four created to race in the World Rally Championship (WRC), made its debut in 1988.

1994-Toyota-Celica-GT4-2
Via Motorbiscuit

In the course of three generations, from 1986 to 1999, the Celica GT-Four won several trophies and titles and broke European manufacturers' dominance in the WRC. The most successful of them was the second-generation (ST185) which ran on a 2-liter turbo I-4 making 200 hp and 200 lb-ft of torque for a top speed of 143 mph.

related: What The Toyota GR Supra NHRA Funny Car Looks Like

6 Toyota Supra MkIV

Toyota Supra MkIV
Via Historics Auctioneers

Before it came back as the GR Supra in 2019 after a long absence, the Toyota Supra had already existed for four generations. Development of the Supra MkIV began in 1989 while mass production began in 1993 on the same platform used for the Toyota Soarer luxury coupe.

supra drift
Unsplash

To establish the MkIV as a serious high-performance car, it was offered with two new engines, a 220 hp naturally aspirated I-6 and a 321 hp twin-turbo I-6. With aluminum used extensively to lower the weight despite having more features, the twin-turbo model could hit 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and max out at 155 mph.

5 Mazda MX-5 Miata

1990 Mazda MX-5 Miata Sports Car
Via: BringaTrailer

The Mazda MX-5 Miata is a 2-seater rear-wheel-drive roadster built on the Mazda N platform and launched at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989. With production and global sales exceeding one million units, the MX-5 holds the record for the best-selling 2-seater convertible sports car in history.

2021-Mazda-MX-5-Miata
Via BobBakerMazda

Boasting perfect front-rear balance, well-tuned controls, playful handling, and an affordable price tag, the MX-5 punches above its weight. Four generations down the line, and despite some compromises, the lightweight Miata is still thrilling driving enthusiasts around the world, and it was voted HotCars's best Japanese sports car of 2021.

related: Nighttime Mazda MX-5 Miata Rescue Is A Gearhead’s Dream Operation

4 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R

2002 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R
Via branipick.com

One of the greatest sports cars by Mazda, the RX-7 was built and marketed across three generations between 1978 and 2002. For the third generation, 1992-2002, the RX-7 was offered in various flavors including the limited production Spirit R introduced just before the RX-7 was axed.

2002 Mazda RX-7 Spirit R yellow
Via liberrtycity

The Spirit R Type A was powered by a twin-turbo rotary engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission to deliver 276 hp and 231 lb-ft of torque. With its world-class handling, perfect front-rear weight distribution, and low center of gravity, it provides an outstanding and exhilarating driving experience.

3 Mazda 323 GT-R

1992 Mazda 323 GT-R
Via HandH Classics

The Mazda 323, also widely known as the Mazda Familia is a small family car that was built in nine generations, between 1963 and 2003. Coming a long way from the 2-door commercial van that hit the market in 1963 was the most powerful road-going 323 hatchback, the 323 GT-R.

Mazda 323 GT-R
Via Forsale

Under the distinctive hood, a 1.8-liter turbocharged I-4 engine churned out 207 hp to power the 4 wheels through a 5-speed manual transmission. Apart from being fuel-efficient, the GT-R could sprint to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and max out at 130 mph.

related: 8 Coolest Mazda Sports Cars Everyone Forgot About

2 Mazda MX-6

1990 Mazda MX-6
Via Ranker

Developed as a replacement for the Mazda 626, the MX-6 was based on the Mazda G platform and built alongside the Ford Probe. The first generation MX-6 was offered with engine options that ranged from a 1.8-liter I-4 to a 2.2-liter turbocharged I-4 rated at 145 hp.

1993-1997 Mazda MX-6
Via ConsumerGuideAuto

Popular features on the MX-6 include optional ABS, an electronically adjustable suspension, and a 4-wheel steering system for superior cornering stability and a smaller turning radius. For the second generation, a 2-liter I-4 was offered as standard while 3 V6 engines were offered as options.

1 Mazdaspeed3

Mazda Mazdaspeed3
Via: Fortune Automotive Design Inc.

The performance version of the popular Mazda3 is known as the Mazdaspeed3 and was unveiled in 2006 at the Geneva Motor Show. Built from 2007 to 2013, it is powered by a 2.3-liter turbo I-4 mated to a 6-speed manual transmission to deliver 263 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels.

Red Mazdaspeed3
Via Change.org

With this, it can clock 60 mph in less than 6 seconds and clear the quarter-mile in 14 seconds at 101 mph. Relying on features like traction control, dynamic stability control, and limited-slip differential, it provides a balance of performance and practicality.