Not too long ago, most drivers would have balked at the prospect of paying $40k for a Japanese car, but with options like the Acura NSX, Nissan GT-R, and Lexus LC, who could say no?

When most drivers think of Japanese car brands, they think of safe and reliable vehicles from carmakers like Honda, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and even Suzuki, but they don’t often think of luxury. In recent years, though, many Japanese automakers have been producing luxury sedans and coupes to rival any BMW, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz.

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shopping, has gathered all the details on the best Japanese luxury cars available.

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10 best Japanese luxury cars

1. Toyota Century

Price: $180,000 (estimated)

Engine: 5.0-liter V8

Pros: Rear seat passenger comfort prioritized (this could also be a con if you’re among the majority of us who have no chauffeur)

Cons: Only available in Japan

The Toyota Century was produced mainly for the Japanese market, so it’s no surprise that most American drivers haven’t heard of it, but you would probably recognize it from the movies—anytime a foreign dignitary is depicted onscreen, they’re likely being driven around in

Toyota

’s flagship luxury car.

Comfort and convenience are priorities in the Century. Rear seats include heating, massage, and recline functions, and even adjustable leg rests. A 20-speaker sound system is standard, as is a 20-inch LCD screen for rear passengers to engage in everything from controlling the car's temperature to playing video games and watching movies.

2. Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance

Price: $58,000 to $68,550

Engine: 5.0-liter V8

Pros: Athletic handling; comfortable ride; standard driver assists

Cons: No AWD option; tight rear seat

A 472-horsepower V8 powers the

Lexus

IS 500 F Sport Performance, giving it solid footing in both the luxury and performance categories of the Japanese luxury car market. We’ll admit that it may not offer the same driving excitement as some others on our list, but it zips from zero to 60 mph in a handy 4.3 seconds.

Inside, though compact, the IS is still focused on luxury and comfort. Passengers will enjoy power front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button start, and optional upgrades, like leather seats and a power sunroof.

3. Lexus LC

Price: $94,225 to $104,315

Engine: 5.0-liter V8 or 3.5-liter hybrid V6

Pros: Throaty V8 comes standard; even the convertible offers a quiet luxury ride

Cons: Sloppy handling; diminutive cargo space; laughable back seats

We hope you want an audience because that’s what you’ll get with this Japanese luxury car. From its head-turning styling to its rumbling 471-horsepower V8 engine, the Lexus LC draws plenty of attention.

Passengers enjoy a smooth ride in either the coupe or soft-top convertible body style—and by passengers, we mean passenger. There may be seats in the back, but we wouldn’t want to squeeze into them.

4. Acura NSX Type S

Price: $171,495

Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6

Pros: Discrete “Quiet Mode”; agile, yet accessible handling

Cons: Hybrid powertrain dampens performance; paltry cargo space

The NSX Type S is

Acura’s

flagship vehicle, making it unique in a field where banners are usually carried by large sedans, SUVs, and crossovers. The NSX Type S isn’t just a supercar, though—it’s a hybrid. With the all-electric Quiet Mode, drivers can zoom from zero to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds without waking up the whole neighborhood.

5. Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400

Price: $57,525

Engine: 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6

Pros: Powerful V6; comfortable rear passenger space

Cons: Interior is long overdue for a glow-up; boring driving dynamics

It’s not always easy to balance stylish good looks with zesty performance and a luxury interior. We’d like to say Infiniti accomplishes the task with the Q50 Red Sport 400, but a somewhat dated—though still luxurious—interior makes that impossible. Unlike many sedans in its class, rear-wheel drive is standard, though all-wheel drive is an option on all trims for added stability.

MORE:

Infiniti Q50 Red Sport 400 car insurance cost

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6. Lexus LS

Price: $77,250 to $113,150

Engine: 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 or 3.5-liter hybrid V6

Pros: Spacious and well-equipped cabin

Cons: Complicated touchscreen; not a very engaging drive

Lexus’ flagship sedan, the

Lexus LS

, serves as the brand’s pinnacle of luxury and refinement. Whether you opt for the 500 or the hybrid 500h, you’ll see that Lexus has kept its focus on passenger comfort and convenience with this one.

The cabin is library quiet, even at the highest speeds, and features super-luxe options, like heated and cooled front and rear seats, four-zone climate control, adjustable air suspension, real wood interior trim, and more.

7. Nissan GT-R

Price: $115,000 to $220,000 (estimated)

Engine: 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6

Pros: Mind-boggling acceleration; athletic handling

Cons: Not worth the price

Despite being seriously overdue for a redesign, the

Nissan

GT-R—a.k.a. Godzilla—still earns a place in our rankings of Japanese luxury cars mainly for its blistering performance capabilities. The standard twin-turbo V6 produces 565 horses and requires a mere 2.9 seconds to sprint from zero to 60 mph. Track and NISMO editions add an additional 35 ponies to the herd.

8. Genesis G90

Price: $89,495 to $99,795

Engine: 3.3-liter twin-turbo V6 or 3.3-liter supercharged hybrid V6

Pros: Peaceful cabin; generous standard features

Cons: No wireless smartphone compatibility; dull handling

The G90 is already Genesis’ most luxurious model, but a massive redesign for 2023 solidifies its place on any reputable list of Japanese luxury cars. The

Genesis G90

is dropping the 5.0-liter V8 engine upgrade and replacing it with a saucy supercharged V6 engine coupled with a 48-volt hybrid system to make 409 horses. Even with the base powertrain, though, the G90 offers a smooth, quiet drive.

Inside, the new model upgrades continue with standard Nappa leather upholstery, genuine wood trim, massaging front seats, and even an on-board fragrance diffuser and air purifier.

MORE:

Genesis G90 car insurance cost

9. Mazda 6 Signature

Price: $36,895

Engine: 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder

Pros: Ultra-affordable; spry handling

Cons: Weak engine; not exactly a “luxury” car

We wouldn’t blame you for being surprised to see the Mazda 6 on our list—even the range-topping Signature trim. It certainly doesn’t boast a luxury-level price tag, and the 250-horsepower engine is a good deal less sporty than most Japanese luxury cars.

What the

Mazda 6 Signature

lacks in performance, though, it makes up for in style. From upgraded leather upholstery to genuine wood trim and ambient interior lighting, the Mazda 6 Signature feels much more expensive than it actually is.

10. Acura TLX Type S

Price: $54,795

Engine: 3.0-liter turbocharged V6

Pros: Great performance value; head-turning looks

Cons: Tight back seat; less-than-engaging drive

The 355-horsepower Acura TLX Type S proves that heart-racing performance doesn’t have to come with a heart-stopping price tag. The Type S doesn’t offer the performance chops of other high-end Japanese luxury sports cars that have made our list. That said, standard AWD, a sport-tuned suspension, and sticky summer tires provide the agility and athleticism we’ve come to expect from much more expensive sports cars.

MORE:

Acura TLX car insurance cost

Finding the best car insurance for your luxury ride

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FAQs

How many luxury car manufacturers are in Japan?

Japan has a number of luxury car manufacturers, and several of their standard carmakers also include luxury models in their lineups. That said, the five most recognizable Japanese luxury car manufacturers are Acura, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, and Genesis.

Why are cars made in Japan so popular?

Japanese car manufacturers have made a name for themselves in terms of quality, reliability, safety, technological innovation, and fuel economy. Combined, these make their vehicles exceptionally popular among buyers.

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