10 Best Small Japanese Cars

2016 Honda Fit ・ Photo by Honda

Deciding on the best small Japanese car is no simple task. There are so many great ones. And how small is small? Compact or subcompact? It just so happens that Japan has perfected the art of the small car, bringing sophistication, practicality and intelligence to a section of the car world that keeps prices keen. And that includes small crossovers. Japanese cars of any size are always well-made, fuel-efficient, and as reliable as a Swiss watch. Just finalize your requirements and budget, and check out our top 10 small cars from the Land of the Rising Sun.

2016 Honda Civic

Without mentioning the 2016 Honda Civic, there can’t be any meaningful conversation about great small Japanese cars. All-new for this model year, we’re now in the tenth generation of this compact sedan, coupe and (for the first time in the United States for this generation, coming later this year) hatchback. After some years in the doldrums, the Civic is back on top. Both the sedan and the coupe have received rave reviews. The base 2.0-liter engine is vigorous and the optional 1.5-liter turbo is brilliant. The levels of tech are impressive (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, for example), passenger and cargo space are relatively generous, and refinement is improved over the old model. The cabin is actually quite serene. Current trim levels run from EX to Touring, but we’re expecting the sporty Si and even more extreme Type R variants to make it over to the United States later in 2016.

2016 Honda Fit

The clever thing about the 2016 Honda Fit subcompact hatchback is its various seating and cargo combinations. For such a small car, a lot of stuff will, um, fit inside. The rear seats can fold down flat into the floor for a maximum cargo space of 52.7 cubic feet, as good as some crossovers. Those rear seat cushions also flip up, offering another floor-to-ceiling stowage option behind the front seats. And the front passenger seat folds forward, adding the capability of transporting something that’s almost eight feet along. Over and above that, the Fit has Honda’s top-notch build quality and reliability, along with a smart design that gives excellent visibility for the driver. Its suspension has a little fun built in, while the 1.5-liter engine balances a useful 130 hp with combined fuel consumption of 35 mpg (with the CVT automatic transmission).

Photo by Honda

2016 Honda HR-V

The 2016 Honda HR-V is a subcompact crossover based on the excellent Honda Fit. It’s all-new for this model year. Many of the aspects a Fit owner enjoys translate to the HR-V, but this small crossover naturally has a higher driving position, offers the option of all-wheel drive, and it uses a bigger engine. Under the hood is a 1.8-liter four, making 141 hp and sipping gasoline to the tune of 31 mpg (front-drive and with the CVT automatic transmission). Fold down the rear seats (they drop flat into the floor) and total cargo space is 58.8 cubic feet in front-drive versions. All-wheel-drive versions have slightly less: 57.6 cubic feet. The rear seat bottoms flip up, so that’s another stowage option. And the front passenger seat flips down, so you could probably throw a longboard in there and close the rear hatch.

Photo by Christian Wardlaw

2016 Mazda Mazda3

Now that the 2016 Mazda Mazda3 exists, there’s never been a better time to buy a compact car. Naturally, there are some good rivals, but there’s so much in the Mazda to like. First, it comes as a sedan or hatch. The roomy cabin is full of high-class materials and equipment levels are generous. Then there are the road manners: comfortable and refined when necessary, sharp and precise when pushed. Either engine is a good choice. Go for the 2.0-liter with 155 hp and 34 mpg combined (automatic transmission) or the 2.5-liter to enjoy 184 hp and 32 mpg (sedan/automatic transmission). The Mazda3 is, quite simply, as good as it gets.

Photo by Mazda

2016 Mazda CX-3

The 2016 Mazda CX-3 subcompact crossover is completely new for this model year. And from a company that can’t seem to stop making winners, we have another top-notch effort. The subcompact crossover class is still in its infancy, but the CX-3 already looks like it'll be the benchmark. It scores high marks in styling, driving dynamics, cabin refinement, seat comfort, and fuel economy. With standard front-wheel drive, the CX-3 achieves 31 mpg on the combined cycle. All-wheel drive is still pretty good at 29 mpg. The Grand Touring trim is also eligible for an options package that includes automatic headlights and wipers, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and forward collision mitigation with automatic braking.

Photo by Mazda

2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata

There are some people who won’t say the 2016 Mazda MX-5 Miata is one of the best small Japanese cars. They’re more likely to say this two-seater roadster is one of the best cars, period. Over four generations (the latest generation debuted for the 2016 model year), the MX-5 is officially the best-selling car of its kind in the world. It’s also one of the most raced cars ever. Beyond the obvious fun aspect of a reasonably priced sporty little convertible, here’s why the MX-5 is such a success. It doesn’t have too much power. That might seem like a negative, but making 155 hp from a 2.0-liter engine means a rear-drive car where an inexperienced driver won’t get into trouble but can still have a good time. The chassis is predictable and progressive and the perfect introduction to the particular joys of rear-wheel drive. Factor in great build quality, reliability and fuel economy, and the complete recipe can’t be beat.

Photo by Mazda

2016 Nissan Versa

Starting at around $12,000, the 2016 Nissan Versa sedan has the distinction of being one of the cheapest new cars on sale in the United States. Admittedly, that’s for the extremely basic S model with manual windows and locks, and a five-speed manual transmission. But bear this in mind: it’s still a Nissan. This isn’t from some cut-price merchant with no scruples, it’s from a major Japanese car maker. And for a subcompact car, passenger space is surprisingly good, especially in the back seat. The ride is comfortable, fuel economy is good (the five-speed manual achieves 30 mpg; the CVT in higher trim levels returns 35 mpg) and the trunk is spacious (14.8 cubic feet). Admittedly, no one is going to rave over the driving experience, but not everyone has that as a priority.

Photo by Nissan

2016 Subaru BRZ

The 2016 Subaru BRZ and its companion, the Scion FR-S, aren’t the most practical of machines, but there really isn’t a rear-drive  compact coupe from any other manufacturer that can compete. Sure, other coupes have more power than the 200-hp, 2.0-liter engine under this hood. But they won’t have the same engaging chassis, that fine blend of feel and agility and stability. Nor will they offer anything like the same value proposition. Even the basic model comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, a limited-slip differential (essential for sharp handling), leather-trimmed steering wheel, navigation, and a review camera. In a way, the BRZ is like an MX-5 with a metal top, serving up a great driving feel at normal speeds, all wrapped up in an appealing package.

Photo by Subaru

2016 Toyota Corolla

The 2016 Toyota Corolla follows a great tradition. From its launch in 1966 up to now, this compact sedan has become the best-selling car ever. So even if it isn’t a corner-carving beast, a bastion of cutting-edge design, or an example of accessible luxury, the Corolla is still as dependable as tomorrow morning’s sunrise. Passenger space front and rear is generous, fuel economy is impressive (every model hits a combined mpg figure in the 30s), and even if the trunk space of 13 cubic feet is average, at least the aperture is nice and wide. The Corolla’s real trump card, though, is that it’s recognized as the best compact car when it comes to cost of ownership over five years.

2016 Toyota Prius

The 2016 Toyota Prius has transcended mere personal transport to become a cultural phenomenon. It wasn’t so long ago that the idea of making a drivetrain that included a gasoline engine and an electric motor working together at times, then adding a system to recover energy from braking that might otherwise be lost, seemed way too complicated and expensive. Now we take it for granted. And most of us can afford it. Yes, there are the financial arguments that the initial cost of a hybrid over a regular car can’t be recovered in fuel savings unless you drive thousands of miles. But that’s not really the point. The point is to make fewer emissions for the quality of our air, to take part in a technological advance, to support companies that make the products we want. And it’s still a good feeling to drive past a stretch of gas stations.