Most performance cars feature eye-catching design elements like low-slung bodies and large rear wings to reflect their capabilities. Gearheads love the aggressive bodywork on these beasts just as much as they love the potent engines. On the other hand, some buyers prefer having their thrill in nondescript packaging. With this in mind, manufacturers also build ordinary-looking cars that do not betray what's under the hood.
These JDM sleeper cars are available in different shapes and sizes. And since they lack the standard outward features of fast cars, they blend in with boulevard cruisers on the street. With their bland designs, most drivers ignore them. But, under the hood, they pack a punch that will shame many sports cars. There is no shortage of these unassuming performance cars in the ranks of Japanese automakers. Here are ten excellent sleeper cars from the Land of the Rising Sun.
10 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX Wagon
Manufactured across ten generations from 1992 to 2016, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution is a popular sports sedan based on the Mitsubishi Lancer. Most people don't know that Mitsubishi offered a station wagon version for the JDM in the IX generation (2005-2007). The Evo wagon is a comfortable family car that shows its hidden talents when pushed to the limit. Talking of limitations, the vehicle can hit 62 mph from rest in about 4.8 seconds.
Motivation comes from a turbocharged 2-liter I-4 engine that cranks out 287 hp and 289 lb-ft of torque. Furthermore, this family hauler can stand toe-to-toe with sports cars when it comes to cornering.
9 2008 Toyota Tundra TRD Supercharged
Toyota's full-size pickup truck, the Tundra, is well known as a reliable workhorse with solid performance and great value. However, most people don't know that there was a Tundra that defied size and weight for a zero to 60 mph of 4.4 seconds. Yes, you heard correctly. It was available as a customer-request modification and ran on a supercharged 5.7-liter V8 power mill. Backed by 504 hp and 550 lb-ft of torque, it could thunder past the quarter-mile mark in 13 seconds at 106.3 mph.
8 Mazda Mazdaspeed 6
Arriving to positive reviews as a 2006 model, the Mazdaspeed 6 was the high-performance variant of the Mazda6. Power came from a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine hooked to an Active Torque-Split All-Wheel-Drive system and a 6-speed manual gearbox. North American-bound cars were backed by 274 hp (later 270 hp) and 280 lb-ft of twist.
Zero to 60 mph happened in 6.1 seconds, while the quarter-mile flashed past in 14 seconds at 99 mph. Features like the precise/responsive steering, a firm suspension, and a 7-speaker Bose sound system ensured that drivers got their speed fix while listening to their favorite music.
7 Mazda Mazda5
The Mazda5 started life in 1999 as the Mazda Premacy, an affordable seven-seater wagon. With an increase in size for the second generation, the Maz was marketed as a minivan in the US. Sliding side doors made entry and exit a breeze even as the Mazda5 impressed with excellent outward visibility and a flexible passenger/cargo hold.
Power came from a 2.5-liter engine that cranked out 157 hp for a zero to 60 mph time of 8.8 seconds. Boasting the maneuverability and agility of a compact car, the Mazda5 was not only thrilling to drive but was also a perfect city commuter.
6 Mitsubishi Diamante
Manufactured across two generations from 1990 to 2005, the Mitsubishi Diamante is a cool car that no one seems to remember. It was offered in sedan and wagon body styles packed with many advanced tech features. Some of them are the world's first autonomous cruise control system and a traction control system integrated with active trace.
With a lineup of several V6 power plants to supply power, the Diamante was no slouch. Beneath the plain exterior, it was a sleeper that could hit 60 mph in 8.2 seconds and run a quarter-mile in 16.1 seconds.
5 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner
Built from 2005-2013, the Tacoma X-Runner's exterior difference from other Tacoma models was a hood scoop and a lower ride height. Under the hood lay a 4-liter V6 engine that sent down 236 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed short-throw manual transmission.
In addition to a set of sport rims and tires, it also gained support braces to stiffen up the chassis. Other modifications include Bilstein shocks, double-wishbone front springs, upgraded rear leaf springs, and a limited-slip rear differential. The result was a truck that could double as a track day car.
4 Toyota Camry TRD
Slotted above the Corolla, the Camry is a popular means of transportation for people looking for an affordable, practical, and economical car. Although the Camry is not usually associated with speed, it got a makeover from the boys at TRD.
The Camry TRD offers a blend of performance, agility, body control, and everyday driveability. Power comes from a 301-hp 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces a 0-60 mph of 5.6 seconds. Larger brakes, TRD stabilizer bars, and TRD coil springs are some of the equipment that sets the TRD model apart from the rest of the lineup.
3 1996 Mitsubishi Galant VR4
The 1996 Galant VR4 was offered in two trim levels and could be had either as a 4-door sedan or a 5-door station wagon. Based on the eighth generation Galant, it got its motivation from a 2.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine mated to a four-wheel-drive system. This powertrain was good for 276 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque.
Fitted with the 5-speed manual transmission, the VR4 could hit 60 mph in the low fives and clear the quarter-mile in 13.9 seconds. In the Type S trim, it also got Active Yaw Control (AYC) as one of the driving aids. The '96 VR4 had surprising agility and balance despite its size and weight.
2 Honda Accord 2.0T
The Honda Accord arrived in the '70s as an economical daily driver. It has been one of the best-selling sedans in the US, thanks to its affordability and unquestionable reliability. Giving the beloved grocery getter a shot in the arm, Honda created the Accord 2.0T.
Under the hood, it hides a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine rated at 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Hooked to a 10-speed automatic transmission, this sends the sedan to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 14 seconds at 101 mph.
1 Toyota Caldina GT-Four N
The Caldina GT-Four N is a special edition model created as a tribute to Hiromu Naruse. Featuring performance enhancements that the long-time race driver specified, the GT-Four N was named after him. These equipment included Recaro front seats, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, sports ABS, improved shocks, and altered spring rates.
From its seat under the hood, a 2-liter turbocharged I4 engine drives the front wheels through a 4-speed automatic gearbox. With 256 hp and 239 lb-ft of torque on tap, the GT-Four N sees 60 mph in about seven seconds, while the top speed is 143 mph.