Ten segments, ten Japanese champions — and one electric surprise at the end
Ten segments, ten champions. Experts picked the best Japanese cars on sale in the US right now — and the choices say a lot about where the industry is heading.
Ten segments — ten champions. Experts have rounded up the best Japanese cars currently on sale in the United States, picking one model in each mainstream category. Premium brands and niche exotics were left out of the conversation — this list is about what people actually buy.
In the compact class, there’s no contest: it’s the Honda Civic. Among small crossovers, the winner is the Nissan Rogue, praised for its comfort, generous equipment and frugal turbocharged engine. The lifted-wagon category goes to the Subaru Outback — somehow, despite its decidedly boxy new SUV silhouette, the car still keeps the soul of a classic long-roof wagon.
For family sedans, the pick is the Toyota Camry — the very same Camry now sold in the US exclusively as a hybrid. The best minivan title goes to the Toyota Sienna: also a hybrid, with optional all-wheel drive and even a dedicated Woodland version with extra ground clearance. In three-row SUVs, the Mazda CX-90 takes the crown, while the best pickup award goes to the Toyota Tundra.
And here’s where it gets interesting. The driver’s end of the list belongs to two uncompromising holdouts from a fading era: the Subaru BRZ and the Mazda MX-5 Miata. The BRZ is celebrated for delivering pure driving joy at a sensible price, while the Miata earns its place with that classic roadster character and a real, honest manual gearbox. And the best electric car among the Japanese? That’s the all-new Nissan Leaf.