The 1990s were a golden era for Japanese sports cars, with many models gaining legendary status. However, not all of them received the attention they deserved. This list takes a closer look at 25 underrated Japanese sports cars from the 90s that deserve more recognition for their performance, design, and driving experience.
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Mazda MX-3
The Mazda MX-3 is a compact sports coupe that stands out for its lightweight and nimble handling. It’s powered by a small yet surprisingly potent 1.8-liter V6 engine, one of the smallest V6 engines ever produced. Though it didn’t achieve widespread popularity, the MX-3 offers an engaging driving experience with a precise suspension and a sporty design, making it an underrated gem from the 90s.
Nissan 180SX
The Nissan 180SX, often overshadowed by its sibling the Silvia, is a fantastic rear-wheel-drive sports car. Known for its turbocharged SR20DET engine, the 180SX became a popular platform for drifting enthusiasts. Its sleek design and robust tuning potential make it a great value, yet it often gets overlooked in favor of more famous Nissan models.
Toyota Sera
With its distinctive butterfly doors and futuristic design, the Toyota Sera is one of the most unique Japanese sports cars of the 90s. Powered by a modest 1.5-liter engine, the Sera isn’t about outright performance but rather style and innovation. Its glass canopy design and quirky features make it a rare find, often overshadowed by more performance-focused models.
Suzuki Cappuccino
The Suzuki Cappuccino is a tiny, lightweight roadster built to meet Japan’s kei car regulations. Powered by a 660cc turbocharged engine, it offers a surprisingly fun and agile driving experience. While its size may have limited its appeal outside Japan, the Cappuccino’s blend of performance and charm makes it a true underdog in the world of 90s sports cars.
Honda Prelude Si
The Honda Prelude Si often lived in the shadow of the more popular Civic and Integra models, but it offered a more refined experience. With its 2.3-liter H23A engine, four-wheel steering system, and sleek design, the Prelude Si provided a balance of performance and everyday usability. Despite its solid engineering and handling, it remains underappreciated by many car enthusiasts.
Mazda Familia GTX
The Mazda Familia GTX is a rally-bred hatchback that packs a punch with its turbocharged 1.8-liter engine and all-wheel drive. This car, also known as the 323 GTX in some markets, was a homologation special with serious rally pedigree. Despite its strong performance, it never gained the same fame as other rally-inspired cars like the Subaru WRX.
Mitsubishi FTO
The Mitsubishi FTO was a stylish and sporty front-wheel-drive coupe that offered fun, affordable performance. With engines ranging from a 1.8-liter inline-four to a 2.0-liter V6, the FTO delivered good power and handling for its price point. Its clean lines and advanced MIVEC variable valve timing system were cutting-edge, but it remains largely overlooked outside Japan.
Toyota MR2 SW20
The Toyota MR2 SW20 is a mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car that offered impressive handling and performance. With engine options ranging from a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter to a turbocharged version, it was capable of competing with more expensive rivals. Despite its capabilities, the MR2 often flew under the radar compared to more mainstream sports cars.
Nissan Silvia S14
While the Silvia S13 tends to get most of the attention, the S14 deserves its place in the spotlight. With improved aerodynamics, a longer wheelbase, and a more refined look, the S14 was a more mature version of Nissan’s iconic sports car. Powered by the SR20DET, it had excellent tuning potential but is often overlooked in favor of its predecessor.
Subaru SVX
The Subaru SVX was an ambitious attempt by Subaru to create a luxury sports coupe. With its 3.3-liter flat-six engine and a unique split-window design, the SVX offered a smooth and powerful ride. Unfortunately, its high price and quirky design led to low sales, making it an underrated 90s sports car with a loyal following.
Honda CR-X Del Sol
The Honda CR-X Del Sol was a targa-topped two-seater that provided a fun, open-air driving experience. Its lightweight body, agile handling, and reliable VTEC engines made it an enjoyable and affordable sports car. While not as popular as the standard CR-X, the Del Sol’s charm lies in its simplicity and playful design.
Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
The Mitsubishi Galant VR-4 is a high-performance sedan that’s often overshadowed by its sibling, the Lancer Evolution. Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and equipped with all-wheel drive, the Galant VR-4 was a rally car for the road. Despite its impressive specs, it never achieved the same fame as other rally-inspired cars of the era.
Mazda MX-6
The Mazda MX-6 offered a sleek design and solid performance at an affordable price. Its 2.5-liter V6 engine was known for its smooth power delivery and excellent reliability. Though often overshadowed by the more popular RX-7, the MX-6 remains a well-rounded sports coupe with great handling and a comfortable ride.
Nissan Pulsar GTI-R
The Nissan Pulsar GTI-R is a high-performance hatchback with rally DNA. Equipped with a turbocharged SR20DET engine and all-wheel drive, it was designed to compete in the World Rally Championship. Despite its impressive specs, the Pulsar GTI-R never reached the same level of fame as other rally legends, making it an underrated powerhouse.
Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205
The Toyota Celica GT-Four ST205 was Toyota’s answer to the world of rally racing. With a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine and all-wheel drive, it was a formidable competitor on and off the track. Despite its rally success, the GT-Four was often overshadowed by the likes of the WRX and Evo, making it a hidden gem in Toyota’s lineup.
Isuzu Impulse
The Isuzu Impulse (also known as the Geo Storm in some markets) is a quirky, fun sports car designed by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. Its turbocharged engine and Lotus-tuned suspension offered great handling and performance, but its unique styling and brand unfamiliarity kept it from widespread popularity.
Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
The Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX was the all-wheel-drive, turbocharged version of the Eclipse that offered serious performance. With a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and AWD system, the GSX was a favorite among tuners. However, it was often overshadowed by its more popular front-wheel-drive siblings, despite its superior capabilities.
Nissan 300ZX Z32 (Non-Turbo)
While the twin-turbo 300ZX gets most of the attention, the non-turbo version is a more affordable and reliable alternative. Powered by a naturally aspirated 3.0-liter V6, the non-turbo 300ZX offers a smooth, balanced ride with excellent handling. Its lower profile compared to the turbo model makes it a hidden gem in Nissan’s sports car lineup.
Honda Integra Type R (JDM)
The Honda Integra Type R is often considered one of the best front-wheel-drive cars ever made, but its JDM version remains less appreciated outside Japan. With a high-revving 1.8-liter engine, close-ratio gearbox, and lightweight design, the Integra Type R offers exceptional performance that rivals rear-wheel-drive sports cars.
Mazda Eunos Cosmo
The Mazda Eunos Cosmo was a luxurious grand tourer that featured the world’s only production triple-rotor engine. With advanced technology like a touchscreen infotainment system, the Cosmo was ahead of its time. Despite its innovative design and powerful rotary engine, it remains underappreciated outside rotary enthusiast circles.
Toyota Chaser JZX100
The Toyota Chaser JZX100 is a sleeper sedan that combined luxury and performance. Powered by the same 1JZ-GTE engine found in the Supra, the Chaser offered strong performance in a more discreet package. While it was popular in Japan, it’s often overlooked in the international market, making it an underrated sports sedan.
Mitsubishi GTO (3000GT VR-4 in the US)
The Mitsubishi GTO, known as the 3000GT VR-4 in the US, was a technological marvel with features like all-wheel drive, active aerodynamics, and four-wheel steering. Its twin-turbo V6 engine produced impressive power, but its high price and heavy weight made it less popular than its competitors, leaving it underrated despite its capabilities.
Nissan Skyline GT-R R33
The R33 GT-R is often overshadowed by the iconic R32 and R34 models, but it deserves more attention. With a more refined chassis, improved aerodynamics, and the same legendary RB26DETT engine, the R33 offered a great balance between performance and comfort. Its lower profile compared to the R32 and R34 makes it a hidden gem in the GT-R lineup.
Suzuki Swift GTI
The Suzuki Swift GTI was a lightweight and nimble hot hatch that offered excellent handling and surprising power from its 1.3-liter engine. Its compact size and sharp driving dynamics made it a fun car to drive, but it never gained the same popularity as other 90s hot hatches, leaving it underrated by many enthusiasts.
Toyota Soarer Z30
The Toyota Soarer Z30 is a luxurious grand tourer that offered powerful engines, including the legendary 1JZ-GTE. With a sleek design and advanced technology, the Soarer was a more refined alternative to the Supra. Despite its high-quality build and performance, it was often overlooked in favor of more aggressive sports cars, making it an underrated classic.
This article originally appeared in MyCarMakesNoise.
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