10 Legendary Japanese Cars That Cemented Their Legacy Thanks To The U.S. Market

The Japanese and American automotive markets have been symbiotic since the post-war era, and this relationship has allowed many amazing and iconic vehicles to flourish and reach previously unexpected heights of popularity and appreciation. Nowadays, it is almost hard to believe that, at a certain point, Japanese cars were not popular in the States. Considering the decades of unchallenged global domination of Japanese brands such as Toyota and Honda, this reality feels like it’s been the norm since before we can even remember.

Yet, which specific models throughout the decades helped form our positive views of Japanese cars? Well, look no further, as we will be going through all the formative eras that shaped our influence and appreciation of Japanese vehicles. Some Japanese vehicles on our list weren’t even originally available in the U.S., yet these models still managed to have a major influence on American perception and desire for Japanese vehicles. Let’s discuss ten legendary Japanese cars that cemented their legacy thanks to the U.S. market!

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10

1968 Toyota Corolla

Horsepower: 60

The original E10 Toyota Corolla that debuted in 1968 is perhaps the most influential Japanese vehicle ever made.

1968 Toyota Corolla Performance Specifications

Before the E10 generation Toyota Corolla, there was no Japanese vehicle in the U.S. market that had managed to have a lasting impact on American consumers. At the time, Japanese vehicles were considered overpriced and underpowered (which was true). The ’60s Corolla was the Japanese vehicle that changed everything, becoming the first true smash success for Toyota in the North American market. Since then, they have never looked back, and now the humble Corolla sits as the undisputed best-selling car of all time.

9

1969 Datsun 240Z

Horsepower: 151

If the Toyota Corolla opened the eyes of the American public to the appeal of Japanese cars, it was the S20 1969 Datsun 240Z that showed Americans that Japanese cars weren’t just economical but could be fast, too.

1969 Datsun 240Z Performance Specifications

The Datsun 240Z was a performance revelation to Americans who were fascinated with its sex appeal, the glorious inline-six engine, and its unmistakable agility. Even today, the raw silhouette of the 240Z’s fastback roofline remains one of the most attractive body designs ever produced. We understand why unfamiliar Americans couldn’t help falling in love with its charm back then, and the lineage of Z models remains relevant even today.

8

1989 Mazda MX-5 Miata

Horsepower: 115

If we fast-forward to the end of the 80s, at that point, the greatness of the Datsun Z hadn’t been topped by any other Japanese brand. That was until the first-generation NA Mazda Miata came along.

1989 Mazda Miata Performance Specifications

Just as the Nissan Z had taken inspiration from 1960s British sports cars, the Mazda Miata did the same. The NA Mazda Miata took everything that made the roadsters of old great and made the experience accessible to all driving enthusiasts with its low upkeep costs and affordable price point. The North American public ate the Miata up, and its success stateside helped dub the Mazda Miata the world’s best-selling sports car of all time.

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7

1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R

Horsepower: 276

No other three letters sparked as much disproportionate awe and craving in the U.S. automotive market as “GT-R“.

1990 Nissan Skyline GT-R Performance Specifications

When it was announced that the R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R would not be available stateside, American enthusiasts’ infatuation with the flagship Nissan only grew greater with every passing year. Never before had there been so much interest and discussion about a Japanese vehicle that Americans had no method of obtaining it. Now that this legendary sports car is available for import, the R32 GT-R instantly became a crown jewel of the North American import scene, and its long-term absence only made its street cred exponentialize.

6

1990 Acura NSX

Horsepower: 266

If the Mazda Miata showed Americans that Japanese sports cars were both fun and economical, the NA1 Acura NSX further redefined American perceptions of what Japanese performance was capable of.

1990 Acura NSX Performance Specifications

Before the first-generation Acura NSX, the American public had never been exposed to a Japanese vehicle that could be considered a “supercar”. The Acura NSX was so special that even at first glance, the most unbiased onlooker could tell this vehicle was a supercar. The fact that it also drove like a supercar that was capable of rivaling Ferrari and Porsche models of its era for a fraction of the price made the NSX legendary in the North American market.

5

1992 Mazda RX-7

Horsepower: 280

Mazda had already blown away the American public with the smashing success of the Mazda Miata, so when we got the illustrious FD Mazda RX-7, it almost seemed too good to be true.

2002 RX-7 Spirit R Performance Specifications

Yet, the FD RX-7 was everything you could want out of a sports car, with its drop-dead gorgeous looks and unique powertrain. Although the North American public had seen turbocharged rotary power in previous RX-7 models, none could match the allure and mystique of the FD generation. To this day, the North American public remains enamored with the FD RX-7 despite its rarity and collector status.

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4

1993 Toyota Supra Turbo

Horsepower: 326

The 90s were a near-endless bounty of Japanese excellence, and despite this, few examples of the era match the aura of the MKIV Toyota Supra Turbo.

1993 Toyota Supra Turbo Performance Specifications

The turbocharged 2JZ-GTE inline-six powering the MKIV Supra Turbo transcended automotive culture and is, without question, the most important Japanese performance engine ever made. Once the American public experienced the glory of the Toyota Supra Turbo for the first time, there was no going back. The MKIV Supra Turbo was the catalyst for the modern turning market to proliferate, and without it, tuning culture in the U.S. would not exist as we know it today.

3

1995 Acura Integra Type R

Horsepower: 197

When Acura debuted the third-generation of the Integra and the first North American Type R model, the FWD market would never be the same again.

1995 Acura Integra Type R Performance Specifications

Acura’s original intention with the DB8 Integra Type R was to create the greatest FWD performance vehicle ever made. At the time, we didn’t realize that they would achieve this goal, and indeed, the Integra Type R became the peak of the FWD layout. This fact made the Integra Type R legendary from its debut, and since then, American enthusiasts have been left puzzled by how any other FWD model could be better.

2

1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V

Horsepower: 276

Back in the 90s, Mitsubishi was at the absolute peak of its powers, and no Mitsubishi model boasted more greatness than the 1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V.

1998 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution V Performance Specifications

The fact that we didn’t get to experience the iconic “EVO” model until its eighth generation in North America made the desire for the 90s variants even stronger. Now that these 90s EVO models are finally available for import, we are finally getting to understand their glory in full. The Evolution V is the peak of the EVO model as it is with this very model that Mitsubishi reached its greatest success in its motorsport history. The 1998 WRC (World Rally Championship) season saw Mitsubishi obtain its third consecutive driver’s championship and its first and only constructor’s title, a feat that will never be topped.

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1

1999 Honda S2000

Horsepower: 237

Just thinking about the driving pleasure that is the Honda S2000 brings a tear to our eye.

1999 Honda S2000 Performance Specifications

Although the Mazda Miata had mastered the perfect roadster formula almost a decade before, the Honda S2000 was created to clarify that “Honda does it better”. Honda wasn’t just puffing out their chest in pride and arrogance for no reason, the S2000 did take everything that made the Miata great and made it better in every way. The S2000 was a celebration of Honda’s 50th anniversary, and we couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present. To this day, the Honda S2000 remains the most desirable Honda sports car ever made and the finest sports car Japan has produced since the Toyota 2000GT.