Japanese Car Reviews

This section contains Japanese car reviews. They are to help raise your awareness of the cars available to import from Japan.

Some of the reviews are long and based on extensive ownership experience. Others are shorter and are designed to give you the key points about a particular car.

If you think I’ve missed something from any of the reviews, or you’d like me to review a particular car, hit ‘Ask a question’ at the top of the page.

KLH Toyota Hiace Review

Picture of the front right of a KLH Toyota Hiace

If you want the ultimate in van reliability, this is it.  Welcome to my Toyota Hiace review. This review covers the KLH model code HiAce, sold in the UK between 2001 and 2012, with a particular focus on the 2004-2007…

Toyota Century Review

Picture of a Toyota Century at MegaWeb

Introducing the Toyota Century There is a little bit of me that would love to be a high end private hire driver. If this ever happens, the Toyota Century will be my car.  Daydreaming aside, the Toyota Century (model ID…

Nissan Elgrand vs Toyota Alphard

Nissan Elgrand vs Toyota Alphard in front of Mt Fuji

Let battle commence!  Here I offer my take on the Nissan Elgrand vs Toyota Alphard question.  I’ve already written detailed reviews on both of these fine vehicles (Elgrand review here & Alphard review here), but how to decide which to…

Nissan Cubic Review

Nissan Cubic front left picture

I love the look of the Nissan Cubic.  So did my neighbours…and most other people, judging by the number of people who give it a 2nd (and sometimes even 3rd) look.  My partner simply referred to it as ‘Postman Pat’ to…

Toyota Alphard Review

Picture of nearside - Toyota Alphard Review

Why buy an Alphard? Background to this Toyota Alphard Review The Alphard is Toyota’s luxury 8 seater minivan / MPV / people carrier.  This Toyota Alphard review is going to focus on the first generation car, produced between 2002 and…

Honda Beat

Picture of several Honda Beat kei cars

Introducing the Honda Beat – Midship Amusement! The rear side panels of the Pininfarina-designed Honda Beat kei car are adorned with stickers proclaiming ‘midship amusement’ – a fitting summary! Midship – the engine is immediately behind the rear seats. Amusement…

Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R

Picture of the front right view of a Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R

Want something fast and practical?  Meet the Mitsubishi Airtrek Turbo R Love Mitsubishi but find the Evo too obvious, brash or highly strung? Want more ground clearance and boot space than an Evo? The Mitsubishi Airtrek turbo R (TA-CU2W) might…