Japanese automakers have some of the most interesting and fun-to-drive cars available, especially when you start searching for JDM sleepers among them.
The domestic market in Japan brings a full lineup of fun cars to the roads. This tradition began many years ago and was in full swing in the 1990s. These JDM cars are mad for the Japanese market but not for the rest of the world. You can find some incredible cars that aren’t available anywhere else in the world. If you want to drive one of these cars, you’ll need to visit Japan and enjoy one of these JDM sleepers.
Isuzu VehiCROSS
The Isuzu VehiCROSS was a strange looking but fun SUV that was developed in the late 1990s. It had tow doors and put style and fun over practicality, making it an SUV that was made for your fun on the Baja course. This small SUV couldn’t carry your entire family, but the quirkiness and configuration make it interesting when the goal was to drive a veahicle that was made for two people and not a whole family.
Mitsubishi Panjero Evolution
The Evolution moniker was a staple of the Mitsubishi brand, and this SUV was one of the many JDM sleepers made to give you some fun on the trails. Like the Isuzu model, the Mitsubishi Panjero Evolution was a two-door SUV made to take on the Dakar Rally, at least, that’s what you might think when you see it. This SUV had a 3.5-liter V6 with the (gentlemen’s agreement) 276 horsepower and 256 lb-ft of torque for the drive. This engine is paired with a five-speed manual, allowing it to offer good performance and plenty of fun.
Nissan 240SX/200SX/180SX
The Nissan S13 chassis is the perfect base for drift enthusiasts to create a cheap RWD sportscar with an amazing handling balance. The Japanese model was the 180SX and it came with a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produced 205 horsepower and 202 lb-ft of torque. This engine mates with a five-speed manual, giving the car a sprint to 60 mph of less than 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 146 mph. That might not be quick by today’s standards, but its good for a 1990s spots car.
Subaru Legacy B4 RSK
You might not have ever heard of the B4 RSK version, which makes it one of the JDM sleepers that can be great to drive. This car was a much better daily driver than the Impreza WRX STI of the time. The Subaru Legacy B4 RSK comes with a more practical and luxurious interior, making it more comfortable. This Legacy produces the 276 horsepower from a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged flat 4-cylinder engine. It also delivers 253 lb-ft of torque, giving you an impressive car that has the comfort to go with its performance.
Subaru Exiga 2.0 GT Tuned by STI
When you want to have a little fun while driving your family around, the Subaru Exiga 2.0 GT Tuned by STI is a great choice. The name tells you it has performance bits from STI, but the vehicle is actually a small minivan, making it a unique and interesting vehicle offered only in Japan. If a sensible performance car were your goal, this would be the vehicle that you would want to drive.
Toyota Celica SS III
This version of the Toyota Celica was offered with the high-revving “Red Top” BEAMS engine which is a 2.0-liter unit that makes 200 horsepower and 152 lb-ft of torque. The Celica SS III was only an FWD car with a helical LSD on the front axle to increase traction and stability. The lack of AWD kept the weight down, making it possible to hit 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, making this one of the top JDM sleepers. This Celica was considered one of the best FWD sports cars in history.
Mazda RX-8
The Mazda RX-8 offers something uniquely Mazda, the rotary engine. This company has kept the Wankel engine going for a long time, giving this car a rear seat and two additional half-doors to make the car more practical than its predecessor. The RX-8 produced 232 horsepower and 159 lb-ft from a 1.3-liter rotary engine, making it possible for this car to reach 60 mph in only 6.0 seconds. That’s not bad for a grand touring coupe with four doors.
These JDM sleepers were made to be fun, a little strange, and offer the performance desired when you visit Japan to experience something unique on the roads.