Japan is a powerhouse of great and cutting edge design. For too long, its world-leading car brands have been stereotyped as super-reliable econoboxes with little personality. We'd say that couldn't be further from the truth. This is a country that's home to a brand that's not only the planet's best-seller, but just happens to be a multiple Le Mans winner to boot. Flair and panache come no better packaged than square-cut minimalist electric power from another Japanese great. And then there's that storied marque specialising in rally-inspired flat four engines. Boring, they most certainly aren't. Stand by for our pick of the 10 best Japanese car brands...
Best Japanese car brands in 2025
Subaru
Long a proponent of flat-four engines and four-wheel-drive, Subaru is also a multiple World Rally Champion with the Impreza, most notably with the great Scottish driver Colin McRae. Road going Impreza WRXs are still the darlings of the modded car crowd, while the company's long-running Outback and Forester estates are longtime favourites with those needing true off-road capabilities rather than a Chelsea tractor. Subaru’s offer is all-terrain capability matched with rally-winning pedigree and the distinctive exhaust note that only a flat four engine can provide. What's not to like?
