Can You Identify All of These Japanese Cars?

By: Allison Lips
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
Can You Identify All of These Japanese Cars?
Image: emperornie via Wiki Commons

About This Quiz

Japan has a huge automotive industry, and many of its cars are not exported. In the United States, Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Lexus, Nissan, Acura, Subaru, Infiniti and Mitsubishi are household names. If you're old enough, you may even remember Izuzu, Scion, Datsun and Suzuki. While Datsun became Nissan and the Scion marquee saw many of its cars rebranded as Toyotas, Izuzu and Suzuki exited the U.S market. 

While most of the major brands in the Japanese domestic market have had some lasting impact on the United States market, the early groundbreaking Japanese auto companies never entered the market because they were bought out by the likes of Nissan and Toyota. There's also the case of Daihatsu, which entered the U.S. in 1988, but decided to pull out 4 years later. 

Like the United States and Europe, Japan also has boutique automakers, such as Mitsuoka, that make customized cars. If you're an American fan of those cars that either never made it to the U.S. market or were forced to leave, then the only way to get your car of choice is to hope you can legally import it. 

Are you a fan of Japanese cars? Do you follow the car industry closely? Then, challenge yourself with this quiz of Japanese cars! 

Nissan Murano
Minseong Kim via Wiki Commons
A now-discontinued CrossCabriolet variant of which car was available?
Toyota Prius
Lexus ES
Nissan Murano
Honda Civic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

From 2011, to 2014, Nissan made the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet, which was a combination of an SUV with a convertible ragtop. When it debuted, it retailed for $45,000.

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Nissan Pathfinder
order_242 from Chile via Wiki Commons
In 1986, which SUV arrived in showrooms for the first time?
Mitsubishi Outlander
Toyota Highlander
Honda Pilot
Nissan Pathfinder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Since its introduction, the Pathfinder has gone through four generations.

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Toyota Sienna
Sasukekun22 (talk) (Uploads) via Wiki Commons
This minivan is constructed at a factory in Princeton, Indiana. Name the vehicle.
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Honda Fit
Toyota Sienna
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Toyota Sienna debuted in 1998. It was a replacement for the Toyota Previa.

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Toyota Prius
マダムのおじいちゃん via Wiki Commons
The first mass-produced gas-electric vehicle was called what?
Honda Accord Hybrid
Toyota Prius
Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
Lexus CT 200h Hybrid
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1997, Japan become the first market to get the Toyota Prius. Three years later, Toyota would hold a worldwide launch for the vehicle.

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Subaru Outback
Greg Goebel from Loveland CO, USA via Wiki Commons
Which one of these models debuted at the 1994 New York Auto Show?
Toyota Tacoma
Subaru Outback
Acura TLX
Mazda CX-9
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Subaru Outback was derived from the second generation Subaru Legacy. The Outback Sport was based on the Subaru Impreza.

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Toyota Corolla
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima via Wiki Commons
Which car was first produced in 1966?
Honda Pilot
Lexus ES
Mazda CX-9
Toyota Corolla
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Toyota Corolla made its Japanese debut in 1966. It is now the best-selling nameplate in the world.

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Mitsubishi Outlander
DJ5F-XDTB via Wiki Commons
This Japanese car was called the Airtrek in its home country. What is it called in the United States.
Nissan Rogue
Nissan Maxima
Mitsubishi Outlander
Toyota Highlander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The U.S. version served as a replacement for the Mitsubishi Montero Sport and shares its platform with the Mitusbishi Grandis. In 2005, Mitusbishi rebranded the Airtrek as the Outlander worldwide.

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Mazda CX-9
Thomas Rosquin via Wiki Commons
Which car is built in Japan, but is not sold in that country's domestic market?
Nissan Frontier
Mazda CX-9
Nissan LEAF
Toyota Camry
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mazda CX-9 is built at Mazda's Ujina Plant No. 1, which is located in Hiroshima. The similar Mazda CX-8 is sold in Japan and Australia.

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Lexus ES
鱼头炮 via Wiki Commons
The luxury division of Toyota makes which car?
Honda Ridgeline
Lexus ES
Nissan Murano
Mazda6
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1989, the Lexis ES served as one of the launch models for the company. Lexus Australia uses the backronym Elegant Sport for the Lexus ES.

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Honda Pilot
ES via Wiki Commons
Lincoln, Alabama is home to the factory that builds which car?
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota Land Cruiser
Acura TLX
Honda Pilot
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2003, the Honda Pilot released the Honda Pilot. The vehicle is a mid-size crossover SUV that was a replacement for the Honda Passport.

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Nissan Frontier
IFCAR via Wiki Commons
This compact truck was introduced in 1997. What was it called?
Toyota MR2
Toyota RAV4
Nissan Frontier
Nissan Skyline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Also known as the Nissan Navara, this car has been manufactured in Canton, Mississippi since 2012.

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Nissan Maxima
IFCAR via Wiki Commons
Which vehicle began life under the Datsun badge?
Toyota Tacoma
Mitsubishi Mirage
Nissan Maxima
Acura TLX
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1984, Nissan decided to remove the Datsun name from the U.S. market and replace it with the Nissan badge. Maximas are assembled at the company's plant in Smyrna, Tennessee.

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Subaru Ascent
Kevauto via Wiki Commons
The VIZIV-7 concept car was the protype for which car?
Subaru Ascent
Toyota RAV4
Mazda6
Toyota Highlander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Subaru Ascent shares a platform with the Subaru Impreza. It's first model year is 2019.

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Subaru Forester
Michael Gil from Toronto, ON, Canada via Wiki Commons
Which one of the following came in an L.L.Bean Edition?
Subaru Forester
Nissan Titan
Toyota Sienna
Subaru Outback
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Subaru Forester is considered a compact crossover SUV. In the United States, the SUV debuted in 1997.

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Mazda6
Erik Drost via Wiki Commons
This car is known as the Atenza in China and Japan. What is its U.S. market name?
Nissan Rogue
Toyota Avalon
Acura RDX
Mazda6
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Mazda6 came to the United States in 2003. Throughout the years, Mazda has split production between various U.S. plants and its plant in Hofu, Japan.

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Toyota Highlander
IFCAR via Wiki Commons
In Australia and Japan, which car is known as the Kluger?
Isuzu Rodeo
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Highlander
Nissan Murano
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Australia, the Toyota Highlander is forced to use the Kluger name because Hyundai uses the Highlander name on a trim line. Kluger means "one who is clever" in German.

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Nissan Rogue
resedabear via Wiki Commons
In Australia, which compact crossover is known as the X-Trail?
Toyota Yaris
Nissan Rogue
Honda Civic
Subaru Legacy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In October 2007, the Nissan Rogue was released in the United States. It made its debut at the North American International Auto Show earlier that year.

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Toyota Yaris
order_242 from Chile via Wiki Commons
This car replaced the Starlet. What is it called?
Acura RDX
Toyota Yaris
Mazda6
Mitsubishi Outlander
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Toyota Yaris is based on the Mazda2, which is not sold in the United States. From 1999 to 2005, some markets had the Yaris branded as the Toyota Echo.

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Honda Ridgeline
Wiki Commons by Paul Albrecht
Which vehicle was the first truck produced by its company for the American market?
Honda CR-V
Toyota Avalon
Mitsubishi Mirage
Honda Ridgeline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2005, the Honda Ridgeline hit the U.S. market. Ten years later, Honda halted production for a year, so it could redesign the truck for the 2016 model year.

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Toyota RAV4
Guillaume Vachey from Chalon sur Saone, France via Wiki Commons
The first compact crossover SUV was which vehicle?
Nissan Sentra
Honda Civic
Nissan Titan
Toyota RAV4
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Development for the RAV4 began in 1989, under the codename 153T. The RAV4 hit the Japanese and European markets in 1994. A year later, the car made its way to the U.S. market.

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Mitsubishi Mirage
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via Wiki Commons
This car went on hiatus in 2003, only to return in 2012. What is its name?
Acura TLX
Toyota Prius
Mitsubishi Mirage
Honda CR-V
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1978, the Mitsubishi Mirage was introduced as a subcompact hatchback. When it was discontinued in 2003, the Mitsubishi Colt replaced it. The Mirage would return after the Colt ended production.

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Toyota Camry
Rudolf Stricker via Wiki Commons
Which car is America's best-selling sedan?
Toyota Camry
Mazda6
Honda Fit
Mazda Miata
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 1983, the Toyota Camry entered the American market to replace the Toyota Corona. It was based on the Japanese Celica Camry, which started production in 1979.

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Honda Civic
YouTube
Which one of these cars entered the U.S. market with its 1973 model?
Acura TLX
Subaru Legacy
Nissan Maxima
Honda Civic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Honda Civic is currently in its tenth generation, which was introduced in 2016.

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Toyota Avalon
CEFICEFI via Wiki Commons
This vehicle entered its fifth generation for the 2019 model year. Name the car.
Toyota Avalon
Nissan Murano
Honda CR-V
Nissan LEAF
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The first generation Toyota Avalon was produced from 1994 to 1999. In 1999, the Avalon was updated to be bigger than its previous generation.

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Toyota Tacoma
Wiki Commons By Bull-Doser
This model replaced the Hilux, which in the U. S. was known simply as the Pickup. What is the name of the truck?
Toyota Tacoma
Honda Odyssey
Mazda Miata
Honda Ridgeline
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced in 1995, the Toyota Tacoma was named Motor Trend Magazine's "Truck of the Year" in 2005.

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Nissan Sentra
order_242 from Chile via Wiki Commons
Name the car that was known in Mexico as the Tsuru.
Toyota 86
Toyota Avalon
Nissan Sentra
Honda Fit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In the Japanese Market, the Sentra is sold as the Nissan Sunny. When it was introduced in 1982, it was a replacement for the Datsun 210.

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Honda Fit
Tokumeigakarinoaoshima via Wiki Commons
In much of the world, this car is known as the Jazz. What is its American name?
Honda Fit
Mazda Miata
Nissan Pathfinder
Toyota MR2
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2001, Honda debuted the Honda Fit. A hybrid model was introduced in 2010.

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Honda Odyssey
Guillaume Vachey from Chalon sur Saone, France via Wiki Commons
One of the following minivans hit the U.S. market in 1995. Which is it?
Nissan Maxima
Toyota Camry
Honda Odyssey
Nissan Armada
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

When it debuted, the Honda Odyssey was only available in LX and EX trims. It also had enough seating for seven people.

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Mazda Miata
Eli Christman from Richmond, VA, USA via Wiki Commons
This car debuted at the Chicago Auto Show in 1989. What was it launched as?
Mazda Miata
Scion iQ
Honda Fit
Nissan Maxima
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though known as the Miata in the U.S., this car is known in Japan as the Roadster.

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Honda Accord
Guillaume Vachey from Chalon sur Saone, France via Wiki Commons
This was the best-selling Japanese car in the U.S. for 16 straight years. Name the car.
Daihatsu Charade
Datsun 1000
Acura ILX
Honda Accord
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Honda Accord was the first Japanese car build in the United States. At the time, it was built in Marysville, Ohio.

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Isuzu Rodeo
IFCAR via Wiki Commons
Which car was made by the same company that made the Amigo, the Wizard, and the Hombre?
Toyota Sequoia
Isuzu Rodeo
Toyota Sienna
Lexus ES
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Izuzu was in the U.S. market for 28 years, but stopped in 2008 due to lack of sales.

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Nissan LEAF
Thesupermat via Wiki Commons
Which electric car can go 151 miles on a full charge?
Nissan Leaf
Toyota Avalon
Mazda6
Isuzu Rodeo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Introduced in 2010, the Leaf is the best-selling highway-capable electric car of all time.

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Toyota Land Cruiser
Tennen-Gas via Wiki Commons
One of these cars can trace its lineage to the Jeep BJ. Which one is it?
Toyota Land Cruiser
Scion iQ
Mitsubishi Cross
Nissan Pathfinder
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Toyota Jeep BJ hit the market in 1951. In 1955, it was renamed Land Cruiser.

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Acura TLX
Kevauto via Wiki Commons
Which car is made by the luxury division of Honda?
Mitsubishi Cross
Isuzu Rodeo
Daihatsu Charade
Acura TLX
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Acura TLX was introduced at the New York International Auto Show in 2014. The cars are produced in Marysville, Ohio.

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Mazda3
FotoSleuth via Wiki Commons
Which vehicle is known as the Axela in Japan?
Lexus ES
Acura NSX
Mazda3
Subaru Forester
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In 2003, Mazda introduced the Mazda 3, which was based on the Ford C1 platform.

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Toyota 86
Alex Neman via Wiki Commons
Name the car that was a joint venture between Subaru and Toyota.
Subaru Legacy
Toyota Avalon
Toyota 86
Subaru Outback
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Toyota 86's origins can be traced back to the Sports 800, which was their first production sports car.

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Acura NSX
Mr.choppers via Wiki Commons
This luxury sports car is manufactured in Marysville, OH. What is it called?
Acura NSX
Infiniti Q50 Hybrid
Toyota Sequoia
Daihatsu Charade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Originally introduced in 1990 as the Honda NSX. The following year, it was moved to the Acura banner.

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Toyota Sequoia
order_242 from Chile via Wiki Commons
Which full-sized SUV was derived from the Tundra?
Daihatsu Charade
Nissan Titan
Nissan Sentra
Toyota Sequoia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Toyota Sequoia was introduced in 2000, and is manufactured at Toyota's Indiana plant.

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Subaru Legacy
Guillaume Vachey via Wiki Commons
In 1989, which car set the 100,000 km world speed record?
Toyota 86
Mitsubishi Outlander
Honda Odyssey
Subaru Legacy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Subaru Legacy covered 100,000 km in 447 hours, 44 minutes, and 9.887 seconds (or 18.5 days). The vehicle was released in 1989.

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Daihatsu Charade
FotoSleuth via Wiki Commons
Which car was only available in the United States between 1988 to 1992?
Nissan Sentra
Nissan Titan
Acura TLX
Daihatsu Charade
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Though sold in the U.S. for just 5 years, the Charade was produced from 1977 until 2000.

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emperornie via Wiki Commons