Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick What are the best Japanese cars currently on sale? It depends on who you ask as everyone has their preferences. In fact, even us at AutoGuide can't come to a concrete, clear decisions amongst ourselves. We all have our personal favorite Japanese cars. But to compile this list, we sat down, deliberated, debated, and finally came a conclusion. Below are our top picks for cars currently sold by manufacturers from Japan. They are spread across 10 popular segments and for the purposes of this list, we stuck with mainstream offerings, avoiding super niche vehicles as well as luxury offerings. Let us know in the comments which choices you agree or disagree with. Best Compact Car – Honda Civic Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick The Honda Civic‘s has long been our go-to compact car here at AutoGuide. We like it so much, it won the AutoGuide 2022 Car of the Year award. Many refer to the new generation Civic as a baby Accord due to its increased size and exterior styling. We tend to agree and consider this a compliment for the compact car. The Civic looks, feels, and drives like a more premium vehicle than its price point would suggest. There's also a lot of choice with the Civic. Two body styles are offered, a traditional sedan and a five-door hatchback. Regular versions of the car can be had with a naturally aspirated or hybrid engine. Those wanting a bit more sportiness can step up to the sedan-only Civic Si with a more powerful version of the turbocharged engine. But if it's serious performance one is after, there's also the Civic Type R with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that makes over 300 hp. Best Small SUV – Nissan Rogue Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick When Nissan unveiled the latest Rogue, we immediately liked the small SUV. Once the variable compression turbocharged engine joined the lineup a year later, it quickly became one of our segment favorites. A few years ago, in an eleven-vehicle shootout, the Rogue finished third, and as expected, was the highest placing Japanese entry. The Rogue is comfortable in terms of seats and ride quality. The small three cylinder turbocharged engine provides plenty of power around town and returns impressive fuel economy for a non-hybrid drivetrain. We're also fans of the styling and the high feature content inside. Best Wagon (With SUV Clothing) – Subaru Outback Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee There aren't a whole lot of wagons left on the market, and technically, the Subaru Outback is no longer one. With new styling that features a very blocky, SUV look, the tall wagon days for the Outback are long. Or are they? Under the skin of the new Outback resides nearly the same mechanical bits and platform that the previous generation Outback utilized. In essence, it's still a lifted Subaru Legacy wagon with a ruggedized exterior. That extra ride height has many benefits, like a better view of the road ahead. But the the best aspect of the long travel suspension on the Outback is ride comfort. Nothing short of a speed bump is needed to really upset this chassis. The Outback is available with a choice of engines, including a turbocharged BOXER four-cylinder similar to the one found in the sporty WRX. Those looking to really take this Subaru off the beaten path will appreciated the Outback Wilderness with its increased capabilities, all terrain tires, and impressive 9.5-inches of ground clearance. Best Family Sedan – Toyota Camry Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick The Toyota Camry is one of the few mid-size sedans left on the market, but thankfully, it's a really good one. While many other manufacturers have abandoned this segment, or aren't putting forth a full effort behind their entries, Toyota is still selling a well thought-out, excellently executed package that should make many reconsider buying an SUV over this mid-size sedan. Power comes exclusively from a hybrid drivetrain that's available in front- or all-wheel drive. It's capable, efficient, and drives better than a SUV. What's not to love? Best Minivan – Toyota Sienna Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick Audi Q9 Interior: All The Details Only a pair of minivans are left standing from Japanese manufacturers. The Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna. Although both are great choices, we give the nod to the Sienna for its greater choice and efficiency. All Siennas now come standard with a hybrid drivetrain that still generates a healthy 245 hp, but is capable of returning 36 mpg in relaxed, combined driving. Unlike the Odyssey, the Sienna can also be had with all-wheel drive, a nice bonus for those living in climates that experience a full four seasons every year. There's also a new trim now available called the Woodland Edition. It bridges the gap between minivans and SUVs. With increased ground clearance, standard all-wheel drive, and a more rugged exterior, it should allow the Sienna to travel places few other minivans can. Best Three-Row SUV – Mazda CX-90 Image: Kyle Patrick Image: Kyle Patrick There are so many great choices when it comes to three-row SUVs sold by Japanese manufacturers. They range in size from the compact Mitsubishi Outlander to the full-size Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia. But the bread and butter of the segment is with the mid-size vehicles, like our pick, the Mazda CX-90. It offers the most premium interior coupled to appealing exterior styling. The inline-six turbocharged engine is a torque monster and the vehicle handles better than any three-row SUV should. It may not be the most comfortable or spacious offering within the segment, but none of the Japanese three-row SUVs particularly excel in those categories. If more efficiency is sought after, there's also a plug-in hybrid version of the SUV. Best Pickup – Toyota Tundra Image: Chris Blanchette Image: Chris Blanchette Pickup trucks have been part of the Japanese automotive scene for several decades. Currently there are a handful on sale today ranging from mid- to full-size trucks. Top amongst all the offerings, and our recommendation, is the Toyota Tundra. The Tundra has dropped the V8 engine in favor of a turbocharged six-cylinder that can be had with or without hybrid assistance. As a half-ton pickup, it is offered in a variety of cab and bed configurations to suite owner's needs. The Tundra holds it own against plenty of what America has to offer, with unique choices like that hybrid powertrain. If you want a fancy truck, there's the range-topping luxurious trim level called the Capstone. Best Sports Car – Subaru BRZ Image: Subaru Image: Subaru It might come as a shock that we haven't selected something in this category that's more potent like the Nissan Z. But when it comes to thrills-per-dollar, nothing beats the Subaru BRZ (and its Toyota GR86 cousin). In real world driving at legal speeds, there aren't many cars that produce more smiles per mile by simply commuting to and from work. The Subaru BRZ is the kind of car that makes one want to seek out the long way home (especially if it involves a lot of curves). Even if the second generation BRZ/GR86 comes with a larger, more powerful 228 hp 2.4-liter engine, it didn't lose any of their predecessor's razor sharp reactions. And in case you are wondering, yes, these cars can still drift quite easily. Best Convertible – Mazda MX-5 Miata Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee One of the few cars that is as enjoyable to drive as the Subaru BRZ is the Mazda MX-5 Miata. Although less practical and more cramped than the Subaru, this Mazda is one of a very few Japanese cars left on the market with a convertible roof. In fact, there are two different roof options with the Miata, the regular soft-top and the RF hard-top. Always a favorite choice amongst enthusiasts, the current MX-5 hasn't lost any of that joy. In fact, this may well be the best version of Mazda's little roadster yet. A fast revving 181 hp 2.0-liter engine sends power to the rear wheels through a choice of transmissions,. But to get the full MX-5 experience, the six-speed manual is a must. Best Electric Vehicle – Nissan LEAF Image: Mike Schlee Image: Mike Schlee The latest generation Nissan LEAF may be a departure from the previous two generations, but it has a lot going for it. After a three test of the new EV, Managing Editor Mike Schlee summed it up as: "The 2026 Nissan LEAF takes a giant step towards parity in the electric vs gas debate. It provides good power, a sophisticated ride, is stylish inside and out, and comes technology laden." 5 Japanese Vehicles That Aren't Actually Reliable