A Japanese sports sedan can often offer something a little different. A variation on a common theme that piques a gearhead's interest, or vehicles that can offer up a unique set of characteristics that include enticing twists. Ones that you can't get through European or American sports sedan counterparts.
These Japanese sports car gems are for true gearheads. Cars that love to get driven hard so that they reward their owners. These vehicles go the extra mile to ensure that fun is at the forefront of their existence, while also being easy on the wallet. Reliability is also a plus, which is a given with cars from the likes of Honda, Toyota, Subaru, and more.
Updated March 2023: The Japanese have built a reputation for making reliable vehicles that are cheap to maintain. However, some Japanese sports sedans, due to their appearance and performance credentials, may not seem, at first glance, to possess these intrinsic characteristics. With that in mind, we've kept the content of this list fresh to remind you of these exceptionally dependable sports sedans.
For any gearhead who loves all things JDM, or for those looking to get in on the Japanese action, here are 10 Japanese sports sedans that are surprisingly cheap to own and maintain.
14 2012 Mazda 3: $25,000
Mazda's Mazda3 earns the respect of gearheads from all walks of life. While many of us have our eye on the hot hatch version of the Mazda3, the Mazda3 sedan is a worthy sports car in its own right. You'll find average annual repair costs that add up to about $450, which could be pocket change to keeping a sports sedan running smoothly. Drivers have their choice between a lively 2.0-liter engine or a 2.5-liter, and both have been fine-tuned by Mazda to put forth the amount of power one would expect from a Japanese sports sedan.
13 2015 Infiniti Q50: $17,153
Infiniti may not often find themselves in the public eye very often, seeing as Nissan's luxury division is a bit more understated than others. This doesn't mean that Infiniti doesn't make some enviable sports sedans, though. Owners have stated that this elegant sports sedan is fun to drive via Kelley Blue Book, and Infiniti is the unsung hero of luxurious Japanese reliability. With an estimated annual maintenance cost of only $500, owning this sports sedan just makes sense.
12 2012 Lexus IS 350 F Sport: $20,991
A great used car to buy, the handsome Lexus IS 350 F Sport combines luxury motoring with a good dose of performance. Equipped with a 3.5-liter V6, its power sits at a healthy 306 hp. When deployed, this allows the Lexus IS 350 F Sport to hit 60 mph in a rapid 5.6 seconds.
The F Sport trim level adds a firmer suspension, providing excellent handling and better body control, a much sportier body kit, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential. Bulletproof mechanicals plus a luxurious interior also adds to the appeal of the Lexus.
Lexus is a high-end Japanese brand, but the IS 350 F is a way to own a Lexus at a surprisingly cheap price.
11 2015-2018 Subaru WRX STI: $17,244
The STI is a rally-bred legend that we all know and love. An all-weather conquering machine, it can handle the changing of the seasons with ease. Not as refined as its competitors, the Subaru WRX STI is a raw performance car that just thrills when driven. Relying on a 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine, the WRX STI gets 305 hp to play with. Sent to all four wheels, its traction levels are otherworldly. Able to hit 60 mph in 5.1 seconds, it is ballistically quick off the line and sounds wonderful at full throttle.
Subaru vehicles with the STI badge have sportiness engrained, and Subarus can often run forever. While the Subaru WRX STI is a sports sedan that often fetches a higher price than some of the other Japanese sedans on this list, repair prices on the WRX are generally less than $200.
10 2020 Toyota Camry TRD: $30,555
Toyota has been on a roll with its performance cars of late, and the Camry TRD is another hot offering that ticks every box. Superbly aggressive in its appearance, it oozes sporting prowess and power, something that the Camry TRD backs up through its performance.
Under the hood lurks a meaty 3.5-liter V6, an engine rated at 301 hp. This sports sedan won't cost a fortune to run, thanks to being relatively fuel efficient as far as sporty cars go.
9 2006 Mazda MazdaSpeed6: $10,602
A bargain purchase for gearheads in the know, the MazdaSpeed6 got overlooked upon its release. Its bland styling failed to draw in buyers. A crying shame, as this Mazda is a ridiculously decent sports sedan offering AWD turbocharged performance.
Most gearheads are familiar with the MazdaSpeed line in reference to a Mazda3, but the MazdaSpeed6 is a sports sedan that can take on the track just as impressively as the next Japanese high-performance car. You can find a surprisingly cheap MazdaSpeed6 for around $10,000 on average.
8 2011 Infiniti M56 S: $11,305
The Infiniti M56 S is a stylish sports sedan with a specification sheet to die for. This Japanese gem boasts a Bose stereo with 16 speakers, stiffened sports suspension, and more importantly, the glorious 5.6-liter V8 engine.
All that power equates to a 4.7-second 0-60 mph time and a raucous soundtrack. Deeply satisfying to drive, the Infiniti M56 S is practical, reliable, and very fast. Able to carry out daily driver duties, it can transform into a highway-devouring monster at the press of a pedal. Purchasing a luxury Infiniti at a price of less than $12,000 means that this sports sedan ends up being relatively cheap to own.
7 2008 Nissan Sentra SE-R: $4,343
It is not the most inspiring sports sedan to look at, but get past the sharp edges, and underneath the angles lies an interesting car. From its 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine to the Rockford Fosgate stereo system, the Nissan Sentra SE-R has some peculiar little flourishes.
A modest 177 hp gets the SE-R to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. This Nissan owns its sporting sparkle and makes sense for gearheads wanting a weekend sports sedan to throw around for less than $5,000.
6 2008 Honda Civic Mugen Si: $7,474
Featuring plenty of tasty extras, the Mugen-enhanced Civic Si sedan tickles those JDM taste buds. Its naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine delivers 197 hp and 139 lb-ft torque, allowing for a 6.8-second 0-60 mph dash as the tuned sports exhaust barks beautifully at higher revs.
Forged alloy wheels, a beefier appearance, and some interior garnish all add to the experience of this affordable Japanese sports sedan. The Mugen Si requires a little bit of coaxing to get the most from it, but that just enhances the overall fast Honda feel. Owning one of Honda's sportiest Civics at a cheap price means that any maintenance costs can be relatively easy to absorb.
5 2016 Subaru Legacy: $13,950
The 2016 Subaru Legacy earns extra traction thanks to its standard AWD system, which adds to the sportiness factor of this sports sedan. As with any Subaru, the used price is not as cheap as its competitors, but what Subaru lacks in initial investment affordability, it makes up for in low repair costs.
4 2021 Acura TLX Type S: $52,300
Hewn from excellence, the Acura TLX Type S makes its European rivals stand up and take notice. Boasting a powerful heart and torque-vectoring all-wheel drive, it's a performance sedan that gets packed to the roof lining with features, all being there to enhance its drive.
A turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 churns out 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, firing the TLX S Type to 60 mph in 5 seconds. The TLX is a wonderfully executed sports sedan, with affordable used prices of recent models.
3 2017 Nissan Maxima SR: $22,000
The Nissan Maxima starts off as a sedan that you wouldn't assume would have a sporty side – but it does. Especially with the SR designation, this version of the Nissan Maxima elevates the term "sports sedan". The 2017 Nissan Maxima SR holds its value quite well, but that's not to say this Japanese sports sedan isn't affordable. RepairPal reports maintenance costs to be less than $400, which is the definition of being cheap to maintain.
2 2015 Honda Civic Type R: $30,548
Everyone loves the Honda Civic Type R. The Type R is the sportiest version of the Honda Civic, meaning that this agile Honda is the epitome of Japanese sports performance in a sedan package. And 306 horsepower? Sign us up! The Honda Civic Type R is one of the more expensive sports sedans on this list, although it is still affordable for the high performance that it offers.
1 2015 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution – $28,004
Japanese car aficionados often rave about the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, and for good reason. There hasn't been a bad generation of this sports sedan. The 2015 year is one of the most dependable, with necessary repairs being rare – something everyone can appreciate when it comes to sports sedans that are surprisingly cheap to own.
Sources: Car Edge, Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds, Classic