Japanese cars are very popular both in the local market and around the world. And although they are usually more modest than their European counterparts in terms of equipment, their main advantages are reliability, performance, and functionality. The following are some of the classic Japanese SUVs.
Compact
The most famous in this class is Suzuki Jimny. There were also slightly larger Japanese SUVs: from 1997 to 2001 produced Isuzu Vehicross, from 1993 to 2002 - Daihatsu Rugger, from 1989 to 2004 - Isuzu Mo (Amigo), from 2006 to 2014 - Toyota FJ Cruiser
Suzuki jimny
The model appeared in 1968. During this time, the car underwent two generations. Jimny has a classic off-road design, that is, there is a frame that connects the front axle, lowering the gear. Jimny is equipped with a 1.3 liter gasoline engine. It is enough for a small SUV weighing just over a ton. The interior is very modest, which is acceptable for such an economical model. In Japan, its price is $ 18,000, in Russia Jimny costs an average of 1,200,000 rubles.
Medium
Japanese SUVs of this class are much more common, especially until recently. They are represented by models such as Mitsubishi Pajero and Challenger (Pajero Sport / Montero), Suzuki Escudo (Grand Vitara), Nissan Pathfinder and Terrano, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, 4Runner / Hilux Surf, Lexus GX, Isuzu Axiom and MU-X.
However, the current trends in the transition to load-bearing bodies were followed by Japanese cars. The SUVs Pajero and Pathfinder lost the frame, and Escudo was discontinued two years ago, Nissan Terrano - in 2006 (now another name is being released under that name), Isuzu Axiom - in 2004. Thus, only the classic design has been preserved so far. Japanese SUV models such as the Challenger, Land Cruiser Prado and 4Runner, MU-X.
Mitsubishi challenger
This model has been produced since 1996. The Challenger was developed on the basis of the L200 pickup. This classic design involves a frame structure, a dependent rear suspension and a four-wheel drive. Now the third generation is introduced, presented at the end of last year. It has lost the name Challenger and is called Pajero Sport / Montero Sport. The main engines for this model: 2.4 and 2.5 liters of diesel engines. Some markets offer 3 liter petrol V6.
Four transmission options are available in various markets: 5-speed manual and automatic, 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic. In the third generation, the model was converted to comfort. Significantly improved interior trim and expanded the list of proposed equipment. In the local market, Pajero Sport is offered only with a V6 and an 8-speed gearbox at a price of 2.75 million rubles.
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
This model has been produced since 1987. Now the fourth generation on the market, introduced in 2009 and undergone modernization in 2013, has been launched. Land Cruiser Prado has a frame structure and permanent all-wheel drive. It is available in 3 and 5-door body styles. The car is equipped with three engines: 3 l diesel and gasoline 2.7 and 4 l. 5- and 6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic transmissions are available. The cost in the local market starts from 1.94 million rubles.
Lexus GX
This is an improved version of the Land Cruiser Prado. Its latest version, the GX460, launched since 2009, is equipped with a more powerful 4.6-liter gasoline V8 engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition, it is distinguished by design, trim and equipment. The price starts from 3.9 million rubles.
Toyota 4Runner
This car has been produced since 1984. Now it is presented in the fifth generation, which appeared on the market in 2009 and underwent restyling in 2014. Moreover, the right-hand drive version (Hilux Surf) was discontinued in 2009.
4Runner is built on the basis of Hilux, so the concept is similar to the Mitsubishi Challenger. It also has a frame structure, a dependent rear suspension. The model is equipped with only 4 liters of gasoline V6 engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission. But two options for all-wheel drive are available: plug-in and permanent.
Like the Challenger, the interior of the current 4Runner generation has been significantly improved, making it more comfortable and expanding equipment. In the local market, such Japanese SUVs are not officially sold. Prices in the US start at $ 31.5 thousand.
Isuzu MU-X
Also built on the basis of a pickup truck (D-Max). Produced since 2013 and is the successor to a similar model MU-7. Has a 7-seater body on the frame. Three diesel engines with a volume of 1.9, 2.5 and 3 liters and four gearbox options are available for the MU-X: 5- and 6-speed manual and automatic. In some markets, available in single-drive versions. Represented in Australia, Thailand, Philippines, China. Cost in Australia starts at around $ 37,000.
Full size
The most famous Japanese large SUVs are presented by Toyota Land Cruiser and Nissan Patrol and their improved versions. There are also models for the North American market: Toyota Sequoia and Nissan Armada. From 1995 to 2002 released the largest model Toyota Mega Cruiser.
Toyota Land Cruiser
The car has been manufactured since 1951. Now the 9th generation is presented on the market. Land Cruiser has a frame design with dependent rear suspension and permanent all-wheel drive. It is equipped with 8-cylinder diesel engines of 4.5 liters and 4.7 liters, as well as 5.7 liters of gasoline. They are equipped with 5- and 6-speed automatic transmissions. The cost of the car starts from 3.25 million rubles.
Lexus LX
This is an improved version of the Land Cruiser, introduced in 1996. Since 2007, the third generation on the market, upgraded in 2015. Two V8 engines from the Land Cruiser range are available for the LX570: 4.5 liter diesel and 5.7 liter gasoline. The first is equipped with a 5-, the second - a 6-speed automatic transmission. It differs from Land Cruiser in improved interior, advanced equipment and redesigned. The cost starts from 5.88 million rubles.
Nissan Patrol
The model is available from the same year as the main competitor of the Land Cruiser. The sixth generation, which is now in production, is also represented in 2010. In 2014, they modernized. The design of the Patrol is slightly more advanced than that of the Toyota counterpart. Both suspensions are independent, and the engine is the most powerful in the 5.6 liter V8 class. The cost in Russia starts from 3.97 million rubles.
Infiniti qx
Patrol 2010 also has an improved analogue. However, such a model appeared only in 2010. QX4, produced from 1997 to 2003, was based on the Nissan Pathfinder platform, therefore it was a mid-size SUV. QX56 2004-2010 was an analogue of Nissan Armada. The current generation, renamed QX80 in 2013, is identical in design to Patrol and features equipment and design. The price starts from 4.19 million rubles.
Toyota Sequoia
This model was created in 2001 for the North American market based on the Tundra pickup. This is currently the largest manufacturer SUV . At the same time, in terms of cost, it ranks between Land Cruiser and 4Runner. Since 2008, the second generation has been in production. The car has a frame and plug-in four-wheel drive. It is equipped with a 4.7 and 5.7 liter V8 engine and 5- and 6-speed automatic transmissions. Prices in the US start at around $ 45,000.
Nissan Armada
The concept and technical characteristics were originally similar to Sequoia. It was also created for the North American market based on the Titan pickup in 2004. However, a new Japanese SUV was introduced earlier this year. The base for it was Patrol. In fact, this is the same machine with a slightly modified design. The only technical difference is the availability of a rear-wheel drive version. Thus, the car has become more perfect than Toyota. Therefore, its initial cost in the United States is $ 4.1 thousand higher.
Market place
The popularity of Japanese SUVs can be judged by sales. Suzuki Jimny takes the B + 8th place, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser are the leaders in the E + and F + classes, respectively, Lexus LX in F + in 4th place, Nissan Patrol - in 6th, Infiniti QX 80 - in 7. And this does not include models with a bodywork, which occupy an even larger market share.