Japanese cars are often highly vaunted because of their superior technology, attention to detail, buildable engines, and of course, stellar reliability ratings. This is probably the reason why the JDM car craze hit America hard and seems to be here to stay although the cars we get from Japan now have little to no difference in models be it domestically or internationally.
Japanese cars and culture are held in high regard in the automotive world. But the world has become a small, compact place now, and today, big Japanese automakers often have plants on American soil thus making every car more of an international venture than a purebred Japanese model.
Even now, while the American muscle car has made a comeback and it’s the big-sized American pickups and SUVs that lead the sales, Japanese cars still have a niche fan following and you are as likely to see a Honda or Toyota on the road as you are Ford or a Chevrolet.
Given that, here are 10 Japanese cars that are leading the market and dominating the competition in 2020.
10 2020 Mazda6
The Mazda6 manages to make its mark in the cutthroat competitive world of midsize sedans, with a turbocharged engine that jets between 227 and 250 horses depending on the gasoline grade used. The interiors are premium and literally at par with luxury cars that are out of their class.
It also bears almost 10 out of 10 ratings when it comes to safety, something midsize sedans have a hard time with. Plus it has very agile handling for ultimate driving pleasure. The steering is responsive, the looks classy and the Mazda6 ranks almost at the top in its class, at just $24,100.
9 2020 Toyota Avalon Hybrid
The Toyota Avalon Hybrid is a large sedan and falls outside of the luxury sedan segment, although, with premium interiors, buyers say otherwise. The large trunk and comfortable seats make it an excellent hybrid sedan for families.
It starts at $37,000 and rides beautifully, and while its fuel economy isn’t very stellar, it makes sense on a car this size. Driving it is a pleasure and the roomy and plush interiors make all journeys all that bit smaller, if more special, especially for a hybrid.
8 2020 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is here to stay. Despite being around since 1976, age has only made it better with more advanced technology and two engine options. There’s a 1.5-liter four-cylinder option that jets 192 horses while a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill makes 252 horses.
The ride is gentle and the trunk is spacious enough to meet family needs, plus the Accord rates very high when it comes to safety. Also, this is perhaps the only midsize sedan that lets you drive shift on a six-speed manual transmission. Add to that its affordability (starts at $24,000) and you have a winner.
7 2020 Mazda Miata MX-5
Starting at $26,580, the Miata MX-5 makes for a very affordable sports car and one of the very few Japanese ones available in the US. The only engine option is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder mill that makes 181 horses. This is ample considering Miata’s featherweight, and very responsive steering.
The suspension is beefy and the brakes rather firm, making this a thrilling drive on any road. Despite being categorized as non-luxury, it comes stuffed with safety and driver-assist features.
6 2020 Toyota Camry
There are two engine options in the Camry, one being a 2.5-liter four-cylinder mill that makes 203 horses, while the other is a 3.5-liter V6 that churns 301 horses. Despite this much power, the Camry still has impressive fuel economy figures, a very in-your-face dare to American sedans.
Starting at $24,500 approximately, the Camry is often considered to be a value-for-money car, although some find it to have a noisy cabin and somewhat cramped trunk space. It also has stellar safety and crash-test ratings, making it the perfect family car.
5 2021 Honda Insight
With 55 mpg fuel economy in the city and 49 mpg on the highway, the Insight is clearly a money saver and also comes with Honda’s acclaimed Sensing safety suite to keep its passengers in the pink of health.
The USP of this car is the regenerative brakes that are the smoothest in its class and they even come with paddle adjustments on the steering wheel’s back for the drivers to be able to control and alter the braking power if needed.
4 2020 Honda Civic
The Civic carries a plethora of engines making it a Jack of all trades, or perhaps a master of all, considering it can be a great daily driver with its base engine, and even slay competition on the track. The base engine is a 2.0-liter mill that jets 158 horses while the range-topper is a 306-horsepower one.
Available in a coupe, sedan as well as a hatchback, this is one car that can suit even the choosiest of buyers, plus carries a perfect safety score as well. And, it looks good sashaying down the roads.
3 2020 Honda Fit
The Honda Fit starts at just $16,190, and this as well as its spacious insides and rather huge cargo area make it a great option for anyone looking to buy an economical Japanese car. Plus, despite its soccer mom look, this is a fun to drive vehicle.
Of course, with a 1.5-liter engine that makes 130 horses, this will not be the fastest car on the road but then again, it's built to be convenient and fuel-efficient, not quick. Yet again it comes with a Honda Sensing suite, making it a safe vehicle for families.
2 2020 Mazda 3
To have a car that’s both compact and luxury loaded is an amazing thing, and the Mazda 3 does just that. The Mazda 3 has a sporty ride on a rather smooth engine but along with that, comes with interior features that fall on just the right side of plush.
The rear row is a tad cramped, understandable for a compact car but other than that, it boasts a top-notch cabin and comes stuffed with standard safety features such as lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and much more.
1 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid
While the Toyota Corolla does come with a few problems, the Corolla Hybrid usually ranks at the top in hybrid and electric cars with rather excellent fuel ratings of 53 mpg in the city and 52 on the highway.
The starting price of $23,300 makes it an affordable buy plus its reliability ratings are also on a high. The sedan manages to look stylish without being overbearing, and its safety features give the owner an additional edge, supporting the driver with many features.
Sources: Edmunds, Cars.USNews