Japanese cars are known more for their function over form, but we think there are some cracking good looking Japanese cars out there. We’ve made a list of 26 in no particular order. Which one is your favourite?
Toyota 2000GT
Seeing as this list is in no particular order, we thought we may as well start with the best looking Jap car, the Toyota 2000GT. Launching in 1967, only 351 of these magnificent beasts were produced.
Honda NSX
The Honda NSX (New Sportscar eXperimental) showed the world that exotic sportscars didn’t have to be just for a weekend back-country blast, but could also be everyday drivers as well. Honda built, not only an incredible driving machine, but a beautiful looking supercar that will stand the test of time.
Mazda RX3
One of those cars that you just can’t hate, the RX3’s perfect proportions make it one of the best looking Jap cars ever.
Toyota Supra Mk4
How could we have one of these lists without a Japanese icon like the Supra. While the 2000GT may be more beautiful overall, we must say that the Supra Mk4 is what we think of when we here the name Toyota!
Toyota Celica A20
Later generations of the Toyota Celica weren’t exactly lookers (although the ST205 is epic looking); however the first generation A20’s timeless design makes it a visual feast. It also set the bar for future Toyota cars to come.
Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R
The beginning of the legendary GT-R namesake. The 2000 GT-R is in our opinion the best looking Nissan GT-R car ever. Whether it’s the sleek wing mirrors or chunky front end, the 2000 GT-R is magnificent no-matter where you view it from.
Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
The car that was banned for being to fast, the R32 GT-R isn’t pretty in the traditional sense; however it is epic looking. Being called Godzilla also helps as well.
Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R
Another GT-R, the R33 is almost like a forgotten middle child between the R34 and R32, but it still doesn’t distract from this monstrous beast. It looks cool, goes fast and is probably as reliable as your nanny hatchback, what more could you want?
Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
Definitely not pretty, the R34 GT-R has a raw, savage beauty that not many other cars have ever managed to replicate. It’s the car we think of when we hear the name Nissan.
Honda Integra Type R
Still one of our all time favourites here at Garage Dreams, the Honda Integra Type managed to challenge many bigger, more powerful Japanese cars of its era and is known as a real drivers machine. It’s also a bonus that it looks great as well.
Honda S800
Introduced in 1965, the Honda S800’s competition was cars like the MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire and the Fiat 850 Spider. To compete with those cars, the S800 not only had to drive great, but it also had to look great. Thankfully the team at Honda managed to come up with what you see above.
Mazda RX7
A car that everyone wants to own, the RX7 is a dream Japanese car. We think the RX7 has to be one of the coolest looking sports cars of the nineties. Not only does it look great, but it also sounds amazing. A real head turner!
Mazda RX8
While the RX8 may not be remembered as fondly as its older brother, the RX7, the RX8’s cool door design and sleek lines make it one of the best looking Jap cars of the 2000’s.
Mitsubishi GTO
Competitor to the Supra, the GTO was a real technology fest. It had everything from four-wheel steering, active aerodynamics and 4WD. Thankfully, Mitsubishi didn’t compromise on the looks when they loaded all this technology in.
Subaru Impreza 22B
A car that looks just as good going forward as it does going sideways, the Subaru Imprezza WRX 22B is an icon of the Japanese motoring world. If you’ve never seen or heard of one of these then you may as well be not living at all.
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI
Much like the Subaru Impreza, the Lancer Evo may not be the best looking car in the traditional sense. However the aggressive styling makes it one of the coolest cars of all time and the Tommi Mäkinen Edition is the coolest of them all.
Honda S2000
Probably one of, if not the best roadster of the 2000’s, the Honda S2000 is a legend in its own right. Great to drive, great to look at and reliable to boot, there’s nothing quite like the S2000!
Datsun 240Z
The 240Z came in as a MGB GT competitor and left with a long lineage of exceptional Z cars.
Lexus LFA
As Jeremy Clarkson said: ‘If someone were to offer me the choice of any car that had ever been made ever, I would like a dark blue Lexus LFA’
Nissan 300zx
With that classic 90’s look, the 300ZX became one of the all-time best selling cars. You just can’t beat those iconic headlights and long wide body!
Nissan 370Z
The latest Z series car, the 370Z shows us that Nissan are still on top of there game.
Toyota MR2
A mini Ferrari without the ridiculous cost, the Toyota MR2 is one of the most iconic Toyota’s and Japanese cars of all time.
Mazda 3 MPS
Not sure why, but there is something so cool about the Mazda 3 MPS. Ever since I saw one down the road from me, I’ve always had an itch to get one.
Datsun Roadster
Precursor to the Fairlady Z lineage, the Datsun Roadster line of cars are up there with the Toyota 2000GT in the looks department. A car that showed the world that Japanese cars could be beautiful.
Mazda MX-5
How could we leave of the MX-5. It may be based off a British car; however the design has been synonymous with the Japanese automaker. It’s the best selling sports car of all time and we can see why!
Nissan GT-R R35
The monster of the Japanese market for the last 10 years. The R35 smashed the competition when it launched 10 years ago and its iconic styling has made it one of the best known modern cars around.
cool cars!
Thanks for commenting Peter, glad you liked the list!