Japanese cars have earned a strong reputation for being reliable and affordable. For example, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 is the fourth-best-selling car of the year so far.
It follows behind American favorites like the top-selling Ford F-Series pickup trucks, the Chevy Silverado, and the Dodge Ram pickup, all showing how much Americans enjoy pickup trucks. When it comes to sedans, the Toyota Camry is just behind the Tesla Model Y on the list of bestselling vehicles.
Other popular models include the Toyota Tacoma, Corolla, and several cars from Nissan and Honda. However, not all Japanese cars have been successful.
Over the years, even well-known manufacturers like Honda and Toyota have produced some less impressive models that might not be the best choice for those looking for a classic car that keeps its value and offers performance, comfort, and style.
Japanese cars have influenced the way we think about driving for a long time. From cars like the Nissan GT-R to cultural aspects such as drifting or the bold style of Bosozoku car tuning, the old idea that Japanese cars are reliable but dull has changed. In this article, we will take a look at the 10 reliable cars and the 5 unreliable cars.
Also Read: The 10 Most Reliable And 5 Least Reliable Hybrid Cars
Reliable Cars
Mazda MX-5
It’s pretty amazing that this version of the Mazda MX-5 is still being sold, and even more so that the model name is still around – open-top sports cars have nearly disappeared from other car brands.
Some people might say that the fourth-generation ‘ND’ model has been such a strong leader among small modern sports cars that other companies just gave up trying to compete. The Mercedes SLK (which became the SLC before it ended) is gone, and the Audi TT is going to be discontinued next year.
But the ND MX-5, first launched in 2015, keeps on going. It will probably get a new version when the time comes, because it’s such an important car for Mazda.
The current model stays very close to the goals of the original, keeping the size and weight similar to the first one from 1989. A small, high-revving 1.5-litre engine is the starting option, while a more exciting 2.0-litre engine gives stronger performance.
Toyota GR86 Trueno Edition
We already know the Toyota GR86 is excellent. Like a perfect bite of fresh sushi, it offers a balance of fun and control, making it one of the best sports cars available now, even though it’s one of the most affordable.
Unlike the older GT86, the GR86 has enough power to be fun in a straight line. At the same time, just like the GT86, it’s incredibly fun in corners, making you laugh out loud with how it handles – something you wouldn’t expect at this price.
The Trueno Edition is a tribute to the sliding legend AE86, with a black-wrapped bonnet, Trueno-style black graphics, and a black-wrapped duckbill spoiler. Thin black alloy wheels finish the look. The best part is that you can choose a Performance Package that includes Sachs dampers and Brembo brakes. That’s something to be excited about.
Nissan Z Coupe Nismo
Nissan has given its new Z car to its Nismo motorsport team to create the Nissan Z Coupe Nismo. It has more power, a stronger chassis, and a sporty body kit that makes it look a lot more serious than the regular Z.
The Nismo version’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 makes 20PS (15kW) and 46Nm (34 lb-ft) more than the standard version, bringing the total to 420PS (309kW) and 521Nm (384 lb-ft). Nismo has done work on the chassis too, adding extra strength and fitting new dampers with stiffer springs.
It rides on 19-inch Rays alloy wheels with Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres. It should be able to go from 0 to 62mph in about four seconds (though Nissan doesn’t give an exact number), but the real magic from Nismo is in how well the chassis grips the road and stays steady, like a cat on the hunt.
Honda Civic Type R
The Honda Civic Type R has been a familiar car on British roads for 25 years and is known as one of the top hot-hatchbacks available. The newest version, known as FL5, is trying to beat the latest group of rivals that have over 300PS.
But unlike many of those other cars, the Civic is sticking to what it knows best – front-wheel-drive, a manual gearbox, and VTEC power. This new version is a strong update of the earlier FK8 model. It has a fresh new look, a stronger engine with 329PS (242kW), and changes to the suspension and chassis to give it better grip.
The inside has been heavily improved and made more modern. However, this new Type R is more expensive than the old one, with prices starting just below £47,000.
Lexus LC
Most cars are shaped by designers using pens or computer software, but the Lexus LC looks like it was sculpted by a warrior with a katana, cutting beautiful lines into the clay model with sweeping strokes.
After many years of trying to please European and American tastes, the LC proudly shows off a bold Japanese design, and that’s what makes it special. In a luxury car category still mostly shaped by European styles, the LC is a unique and smart option. The hybrid model ties in with Toyota’s well-known use of that technology.
But if we had to pick, we’d choose the LC500 V8 version. Its engine feels delightfully out of place these days, just like the styling, which stands out from the crowd.
Prodrive P25
Made by Prodrive, the P25 is aimed at people who were teenagers in the 1990s, when the sound of a Subaru flat-four engine coming down the street was as common as hearing a light switch flip today.
Many of those people can now afford the fast Subarus they dreamed of back then – which is good, because the P25 costs a lot – each of the 25 cars sold for over £500,000. If you were one of the lucky people who could buy one (one person even bought two), you’d get what might be the best rally-style car that can be legally driven on the road.
It has a body made of carbon fibre and a 2.5-litre turbocharged flat-four engine with 446PS (328kW). The P25’s biggest brag is that it’s 100kg lighter and has 100PS (75kW) more power than the legendary 22B. Saying that around here almost sounds like you’re insulting a sacred icon.
Toyota GR Yaris
The 1.8-litre supercharged Yaris GRMN didn’t sell well, especially with buyers waiting for the great-value Fiesta ST that came out not long after. But Toyota’s second try at a ‘GR’ branded fast Yaris – called the GR Yaris – is a totally different story.
It’s an unusual car because it was first made to be a new WRC rally car for Toyota’s official team. But when they decided to keep using the WRC version based on the older Yaris model, Toyota still went ahead and built the special GR Yaris for the road.
For such a short three-door car, it needed a lot of special engineering to fit in a permanent four-wheel-drive system. It runs on a 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo engine that produces up to 272PS (200kW). It finally raced in the 2022 World Rally Championship as the GR Yaris Rally1 from Toyota Gazoo Racing, and it won the manufacturers title.
Toyota Land Cruiser
Toyota has shown the new Land Cruiser, and it looks like it might be the brand’s best version yet. It adds a cool old-school design to its strong off-road abilities, going up against the stylish Land Rover Defender.
The Land Cruiser’s square shape and round headlights are a nod to its roots going back to the 1950s. Known for its toughness and dependability, the new version brings the model into the present with large infotainment screens and hybrid engines.
Its advanced four-wheel-drive system proves it’s built for off-road driving, with plenty of ground clearance, a low-range gearbox, locking differentials, and removable anti-roll bars for major wheel movement on rough terrain.
Mitsuoka Buddy
Mitsuoka’s wild designs always make an impression. There’s something very Japanese about how it makes smaller versions of classic British cars, but the company also likes to rework famous American cars strangely and fascinatingly.
The Rock Star, based on the MX-5, is meant to remind people of the Corvette Stingray. But the brand’s latest bold creation is its first SUV. Named the Buddy, it’s built using the newest Toyota RAV4 underneath, but it’s restyled with a square look that’s meant to celebrate the K5-generation Chevrolet Blazer.
It comes with BF Goodrich off-road tyres and 1980s-style steel wheels. It’s not sold in the UK, but TW White in Bookham – Mitsuoka’s UK dealer – still lists the Mitsuoka Roadster, which is inspired by the Jaguar XK120.
Toyota Camry
The 2014 Toyota Camry has an average yearly maintenance cost of $387, with an estimated total maintenance cost of $4,203 over the first ten years. It has been subject to three recalls.
The Toyota Camry has long been a favorite midsize sedan for many American families. Even though the brand-new 2025 Camry has been introduced, older models like the 2014 Camry are still solid picks in the used car market because they’re known for being reliable.
In 2014, the Camry came with three engine choices. These included a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that made 178 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, a 3.5-liter V6 that produced 268 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque, and a 2.5-liter hybrid system that had a total output of 200 horsepower.
Not So Reliable Cars
Mazda RX-8
The first version of the Mazda RX-8 was sold from 2004 to 2008. It came with a 4-cylinder engine that didn’t offer much power, producing only 212 horsepower.
Even worse, it ranks 11th out of 19 Mazda models in terms of reliability. That site points out issues like engine failure, jerky power steering, high oil usage, and a long list of recalls over the years.
Mitsubishi Eclipse
The Mitsubishi Eclipse is a small, sporty car with good fuel efficiency and okay handling. If you’re looking to buy an older version today, you might find one for about $3,000. But the models made between 1999 and 2003, and again in 2007, seem to have a lot of problems.
The wheels and rims tend to get damaged easily or wear out quickly, making the car look old sooner than expected. Tires also wear down faster compared to some other cars.
The interior isn’t very sturdy, so parts might break more easily. Drivers have also had issues with the automatic transmission, power train, and steering, especially with the 1999 version.
Honda CRX Del Sol
Honda is still a trusted Japanese brand, and the Honda Civic and Accord are among the best-selling cars, according to Car & Driver’s 2023 list. But the Honda CRX Del Sol, which was meant to take over from the well-liked Honda CR-X in 1992, ended up being “terribly disappointing,” according to HotCars.com.
The roof would leak, the inside was noisy, and the front brake rotors often got bent out of shape. Unlike the sporty and fun CR-X, the Del Sol didn’t live up to expectations and felt more like a poor replacement. Honda doesn’t make anything quite like the Del Sol anymore.
The sportiest Honda you’ll find now is the two-door Civic Si. Recent used versions cost around $20,000, and they’re worth the price since Hondas tend to keep their value well.
Toyota Paseo
If you hear “Toyota Paseo” and say, “Toyota – what?”, we understand. Other Toyota models like the Camry, Tacoma, RAV4, and the Prius – one of the first popular hybrids – are well-known, but the Paseo barely made an impression in the 1990s.
It was made from 1991 to 1997 and was built using the Corolla’s frame. It came as both a regular car and a convertible. Today, these cars can sell for thousands if they’re in great condition.
The Paseo wasn’t a bad car mechanically. It didn’t have the serious problems that some of the others on this list did. But it didn’t win over drivers in the ‘90s, so Toyota stopped making it. That means if you want to fix one up, it could be hard to find replacement parts since there aren’t many of them left in the U.S.
Suzuki Samurai and Suzuki X-90
The 1990s were tough for some Japanese car brands. Suzuki released the Samurai SUV, which had a boxy look kind of like a Jeep Wrangler. But Consumer Reports gave it a safety rating of “not acceptable”. The car could flip over during quick turns.
Also Read: 10 of the Most Trusted Cars Ever Built In History
The Suzuki X-90, which came after the Samurai, had a similar problem with tipping over. But unlike the Samurai, which had a cool design, the X-90 looked strange.
People weren’t sure if it was supposed to be a coupe, a sports car, or part of a pickup truck. It only had 90 horsepower and faded from the market along with the Samurai, remembered as one of the worst Japanese cars ever.
