Japanese Cars Archives

Subaru has announced the pricing for the 2014 Legacy and Outback models, with most versions having no increase over the 2013 models. The 2014 Subaru Legacy starts at $20,295 and the 2014 Subaru Outback starts at $23,495.

Lexus previewed a new coupe version of the all-new IS sedan with the LF-CC concept and now according to Whatcar? the IS Coupe is slated to arrive in 2014 as a 2015 model. The LF-CC concept debuted at last year's Paris Motor Show and it is expected that the IS Coupe's finally styling will not move too far away from the concept.

Toyota has released a teaser photo of the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla, which is going to be unveiled at a private event in LA on June 6th. This teaser photo gives us a look at the Corolla S model's taillights and part of its rear end.

Mitsubishi previewed its new small sedan with the G4 sedan concept in March at the Bangkok Motor Show and now Mitsubishi has unveiled the production version, which is called the Attrage. The Mitsubishi Attrage is the brand's new global sedan that will go on sale in Europe, Asia and even the US.

The updated 2013 Nissan Leaf is now more efficient than the nearly identical 2012 model. Last year's Nissan Leaf was rated at a 99 MPGe for combined city and highway, while the 2013 Leaf now has a 115 MPGe rating. Updates to the 2013 Leaf have made it more aerodynamic and its regenerative braking system has been improved. The 2013 Leaf has a drag coefficient of 0.28 compared to 0.29 for the 2012 Leaf.

Do you like the all-new 2014 Lexus IS, but want even more style? Toyota's TRD division has put together a new styling and performance kit for the new IS. The styling part of the package includes a kit that includes larger side skirts, a revised front bumper and a rear diffuser with dual exhaust. The TRD-spec IS also gets new 19-inch alloy wheels.

The all-new 2014 Subaru Forester has received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The Forester is the only one of two vehicles out of 13 small SUVs to earn an overall rating of good in the test. The other model to earn the rating was the 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport.

Acura has just confirmed that the all-new NSX supercar will be produced at a new Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, starting in 2015. The new $70 million advanced production facility encompassing 184,000 square feet to be housed inside Honda's former North American Logistics facility and located in the midst of Honda's existing R&D and production engineering operations.

Infiniti is going to reportedly add more crossovers to its lineup and a new halo model above the current Q70 sedan in an effort to build the brand's presence and sales. President Johan de Nysschen has revealed to the Automotive News that Infiniti's plan is to cover 90 percent of all global premium segments by the end of the decade, compared to just under 60 percent today.

Acura has announced the updates to the 2014 Acura ILX, which gets more standard features for the new model year. It's been widely reported that the ILX has failed to meet Acura's initial sales expectations, so hopefully the new features will help.

The 2013 Honda Civic has received the received the highest possible overall safety ratings from both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The 2013 Civic Sedan recently received the top 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score in the NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), and the highest possible rating of TOP SAFETY PICK+ from the IIHS, including a top score of GOOD in the new small overlap frontal collision test.

Toyota is set to unveil the all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla at a private event in Los Angeles and of course we will be there for all the live details. But in the meantime a leaked order guide for the new Corolla and a few notes from someone who has seen the car, provide a few early details of what we can expect.

Nissan has released this video of a Nissan GT-R taking on an Oris Swiss Hunter Fighter Jet with 22,000 HP in a land-sky speed challenge. The race in the Swiss Alps was organized by German-based N-Magazine.

As a frequent business traveler and car lover, I always get a little anxiety over the make and model of my rental cars. Thankfully, companies like Hertz and National have gradually gotten more flexible in recent years by allowing renters to choose their own cars within their reserved car class. When I landed in sunny Los Angeles last week, I took advantage of this flexibility and elected to spend the week with the all-new, 2013 Toyota Avalon XLE.

Subaru is hoping for a fifth year in a row of record sales in the U.S. and part of its plan to meet the increasing demand is to expand production at its Indiana plant. Subaru is going to invest $400 million to expand capacity at the plant by a third and to add production of the Impreza.

Scion has announced the pricing for the limited edition Scion 10 Series models in addition to the 2014 tC and iQ. The limited-production Scion 10 Series features a unique version of each vehicle in the Scion lineup to mark Scion's 10th anniversary. Each model is painted in Silver Ignition, with matching silver seat belts and carries through the anniversary theme through unique interior and exterior touches. The Scion 10 Series models start as low as $17,850 for the iQ and go all the way up to $28,675 for the automatic equipped FR-S 10 Series Edition.

Production of the all-new 2014 Acura MDX has kicked off at Honda's plant in Alabama. "Today, we celebrate a new Alabama-made vehicle, fueled by the pride of Honda associates who are committed to exceeding the expectations of our Acura customers," said Tom Shoupe, HMA president.

The 2013 Nissan Leaf has received the Top Safety Pick safety rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The LEAF achieved the Institute's highest rating of "Good" in front, side, rollover and rear crash tests.

Nissan has announced the pricing for the 2014 Nissan GT-R Track Edition, which starts at $115,710. The Track Edition features a specially tuned suspension, special brake cooling guides, front spoiler with carbon fiber air ducts and a lightweight quilted cloth mat where the rear seats usually reside. Availability of the GT-R Track Edition is limited to 150 units for the United States.

Nissan has unveiled the updates to the 2014 Nissan 370Z NISMO, which goes on sale this summer. On the outside, new dark gray coloring is added to the front and rear fascias, lower side sills, side mirrors and NISMO rear spoiler, with each element featuring NISMO-style red pinstripe accents. It also gets an extended front nose design and a fully integrated chin spoiler. In addition, Solid Red replaces the previous Magma Red as one of four 370Z NISMO exterior color choices. Interior enhancements include the addition of a new steering wheel with Alcantara appointments and red accents, and a red NISMO tachometer.

Lexus has announced the pricing for the all-new 2014 IS sedan, which arrives in showrooms this summer. The IS 250, with its 204-hp 2.5-liter V6 will start at $35,950 for RWD and $38,485 for AWD. The IS 350, which is powered by a 306 horsepower 3.5L V6 will start at $39,465 for RWD and $41,700 for AWD. The base price for the 2014 IS 350 is 2.1% lower than the model it replaces.

For those buyers that love the Mitsubishi Evolution, but can't quite afford its $34k price tag, but want more performance than the standard Lancer offers, Mitsubishi offers the Lancer Ralliart. The Lancer Ralliart is powered by a turbocharged 237 horsepower 2.0L four-cylinder engine, which is 54 horsepower less than the Evo, but a nice 89 horsepower more than is offered in the standard Lancer models. Think of the Lancer Ralliart as a direct competitor to the Subaru WRX. On paper the Lancer Ralliart packs more than enough power to satisfy enthusiasts and with its $28k starting price it's a bit more attainable than the Evolution, but is it worth it?

Toyota has unveiled the refreshed 2014 Toyota 4Runner, which gets a redesigned front fascia with a new front grille, and smoked headlamps. The SR5 and Trail grades feature a color-keyed grille insert and front bumper that is surrounded by fog lamps set in sharply cut inlays that extend from the headlamps down to the bumper. The Trail grade features new color-keyed bumpers and overfenders, and it continues to be distinguished by an aggressive hood scoop and silver painted front and rear bumper accents.

Toyota has unveiled the new ME.WE Concept, which is the result of a partnership between Toyota and Massaud. They have been working together since 2011 and Massaud has sought to create an "anti-crisis" car that addresses contemporary human, economic and environmental challenges, bringing his independent vision and experience from outside the motor industry.

Nissan has announced the updates to the 2014 Nissan Versa, which still starts at $11,990 for the third year in a row. Enhancements for the 2014 Versa Sedan include the addition of standard 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, tri-cot headliner, 4.3-inch display audio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio for Versa Sedan SL models; standard 60/40-split fold-down rear seat and key fob trunk release for Versa Sedan SV models; and tachometer and low rolling resistance tires for Versa Sedan S models.

Today is Earth Day and to celebrate it Nissan and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg have launched a new electric vehicle taxi pilot with the Nissan Leaf. This pilot program, which puts six Leaf taxis into service beginning this spring, will help Nissan, the city, the taxi industry and the public understand how zero emission vehicles can be integrated into future taxi fleets.

Nissan's new Friend-ME concept has debuted in Shanghai. Nissan says the Friend-ME concept is a four-passenger sedan designed for a generation with a very different automotive outlook, specifically 240 million Chinese born in the 1980s.

Honda has unveiled three new concepts at the Shanghai Motor Show, which preview models that will soon be available in China. The Concept M previews a new MPV, the Crider is a new sedan for the middle-class and the Jade concept is a new hatchback "people mover."

Acura has unveiled the SUV-X Concept in Shanghai, which Acura says is a preview of a new small global concept vehicle that is developing primarily for the Chinese market. The SUV-X concept also marks the first time for Acura to introduce the world premiere of a concept model outside of North America.

Honda has already received so much interest for the new NSX, that it has already starting taking orders for the supercar in the UK. For a deposit of £5,000 potential owners can be among the first in the UK to get behind the wheel of the brand new NSX when it hits showrooms in 2015.

Toyota has announced plans to unveil the redesigned 2014 4 Runner at this year's Stagecoach Country Music Festival in Indio, Calif., near Palm Springs. The 4Runner continues to ride on a body-on-frame chassis, when most other SUVs are moving to car based platforms.

Mitsubishi has released the first photos of its new Concept G4 sedan that is going to debut this month at the Shanghai Motor Show. Mitsubishi says that the Concept G4 is a preview of a new sedan that it plans to rollout globally.

Nissan has released another teaser photo of the Friend-ME concept, which is scheduled to debut in Shanghai on April 20. The new teaser photo gives us a glimpse of the concept's rear end.

Yesterday Ford announced that the Focus was the best-selling car in the world last year, according to the latest Polk data. Now Toyota is refuting Ford's claims and states that the Toyota Corolla was actually was actually the best-selling car.

The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in the US for over a decade, but is it's top-selling crown up for grabs? The Camry is still currently the best selling car in the US for the first three months of this year, but last month's sales may preview a change by the end of the year.

Honda and Acura have released two teaser photos of two concept models that will debut later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show. The Honda concept model previews an all-new Honda model that will be introduced to the Chinese market. The model we should care more about is the new Acura concept, which previews a new "global" crossover model.

On April 20 Nissan is going to unveil its newest concept car, the Friend-ME at the Shanghai Motor Show. Nissan says that the concept was developed by Chinese designers working at at Nissan Design China in Beijing. The Friend-ME concept features a unique center console that allows "Four Seats, One Mind Connectivity" - equal information sharing among all aboard.

Lexus is reportedly working on a new compact SUV that will go head to head with the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Automotive News Europe is reporting that Lexus is working on a new hybrid compact SUV that will be based on the Toyota RAV4.

Acura has announced the pricing for the 2014 Acura RDX, which goes on sale today starting at $34,520. The Acura RDX was completely redesigned for the 2013 model year, so the 2014 RDX only gets a new Kona Coffee exterior paint color that replaces the previous Amber Brownstone.

The all-new 2014 Toyota Corolla is expected to go on sale before the end of the year, but we won't have to wait that long for Toyota to officially unveil the next Corolla. Toyota previewed the new Corolla with the Corolla Furia concept at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year and although we hoped the new 2014 Corolla would have taken the stage at last week's New York Auto Show, we will see it soon.