German, British, and American motor engineering companies have for the longest time been considered as the holy grail of car manufacturing. There is, however, a clear shift in power as the east begins to assert itself in the premium motor industry with exciting vehicle brands and cheaper, yet very reliable vehicles for the ordinary individual.
In particular, Japanese car manufacturers have been getting it right in the sports car market niche, having made some superior products over the years. The country has produced some of the best sports cars, which are also a breeze to maintain. Some of the standout vehicles include the Toyota Supra and the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.
10 Nissan 240 SX
The Nissan 240SX is a 2-door coupe that looks more ordinary than brilliant. With a 2.4-liter I-4 engine producing only around 155 horsepower, this vehicle has nothing much to boast about in terms of raw power.
The 240SX, nonetheless, makes this list because of its fantastic handling ability and its highly customizable nature. This, coupled with its reliability and longevity, has made the 240SX a recent favorite among drifters. Its simple design makes it the perfect sleeper car, a dream come true for racers.
9 Lexus LC500
Flashy, stylish, elegant, and exquisite are only a few of the superlatives that can describe the Lexus LC500. While the LC500 perfectly fits as one of the most beautiful Japanese cars ever made, its performance is also one of the best. It packs a V8 engine with 470 horsepower.
Toyota has done such an excellent job with its Luxury car models that the Lexus LC500 is one of the most wanted performance cars of this generation. The LC500 is labeled as a supercar that can compete with some of the auto industry's biggest names.
8 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Since its debut in the 1990s, the Mazda MX-5 series has always had something extra to offer sports car enthusiasts. The Miata exemplifies the fun aspect of driving cars that every gearhead looks for in modern automobiles. Cruising with this Japanese model is undoubtedly a worth-while experience.
The current breed of the Miata features a 181-horsepower engine with 7500 rpm that is matched with an equally impressive 6-speed automatic transmission. This two-door door coupe indeed represents Japanese cars pretty well, both in terms of style and performance.
7 Toyota 2000 GT
The Toyota 2000GT almost draws comparison to the American classic muscle cars such as the Chevrolet and the Ford Mustang. The 2000GT was a pioneer in the motor industry when it debuted in 1967 and a game-changer for Japanese auto-makers.
The 2000GT included a unique sporty design that instantly made Japanese cars a hit in Europe and other parts of the world. The car had a decent horsepower of 150 hp with an acceleration of 0-60mph in 10 secs, which was quite fast at the time.
6 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
The Nissan GT-R series is proof that Japanese sports cars are here to stay. The GT-R R34 is undoubtedly one of the best cars to ever come from Japan. With an inline-6 engine, this racing beast delivers a respectful power output of 316 hp. This translates to 0-60 mph in just under 4.9 secs on the track with a top speed of 155 mph.
To make a good job perfect, this Japanese roadster is turbocharged and is relatively easy on the eyes too.
5 Subaru Impreza 22B
World Rally Champion and British Rally Champion Colin McRae made the Subaru Impreza famous in the 90s. The Subaru Impreza 22B, in particular, remains iconic to this date because of its unique make and good performance metrics as a race car.
The Subaru Impreza 22B's four-cylinder engine, much like its whole demeanor, seems quite ordinary until you discover it outputs 280 horsepower, and it can go from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The Impreza may be modest at first glance, but its legendary speed is way above average.
4 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
The Evolution series from Mitsubishi was such a massive success, with famous car models such as the Evo VIII and the Evo IX. Mitsubishi's range of sports cars offers an impressive variety of automobiles. The Evo 6 stands out in terms of power, with its 330 hp engine.
In terms of overall performance, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX takes the crown home due to its speed, excellent handling ability, and agility around corners.
3 Acura NSX
Honda is undoubtedly more famous for the production of motorcycles. Still, the detour taken in the production of the Acura NSX is highly appreciated because of the masterclass that this vehicle has become. The 2020 version of the Acura features Jaw-dropping beauty and elegant design.
The aesthetics are matched with impressive specifications, starting with a 573 hp engine, a 9-speed auto transmission, and an AWD drivetrain. The stats on the Acura and its exceptional stylish finishes underline the fact that Japanese cars are among the best in the world.
2 Mazda RX-7 FD
The FD was the third and last generation of the Mazda RX-7 vehicles. The FD series featured a 1.3L 13B twin-turbo rotary engine that delivered 250+ hp. The FD series is unique because the cars were fast, clocking 155 mph top speed with an acceleration of 0-60 mph in 5.3 seconds.
The inception of the RX-7 FD was certainly a statement of intent by the Japanese manufacturers and a declaration that they were ready to challenge the big car brands.
1 Toyota Supra MK IV
The name Toyota was once associated with dull cars that were constantly being made fun of in the European market. A few decades later, we can assure you no one was making fun of the Toyota Supra.
The Toyota Supra is a stand out vehicle with its inline-6 engine, quick acceleration, fun and sporty design, and a top speed of 155 mph. The engine delivers 326 hp, making this Japanese vehicle one of the world's very best sports cars.