Japanese SUVs: review, rating, specifications and reviews

Japanese cars are very popular both in the local market and around the world. And although they are usually more modest than European equipment analogs, their main advantages are reliability, performance, functionality. Next, some Japanese off-road vehicles of the classical design are considered.

Compact

The most famous in this class is Suzuki Jimny. Also there were a little 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 of generations. Jimny has a classic off-road design, that is, there is a frame, a connectable front axle, a downshift. Jimny is equipped with a petrol engine of 1.3 liters. It is enough for a small SUV weighing a little more than 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-sized

Japanese SUVs of this class are much more common, especially so it was until recently. They are represented by such models 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, modern trends of the transition to load-carrying bodies were followed by Japanese cars. Off-road vehicles Pajero and Pathfinder lost the frame, and Escudo was removed from production two years ago, Nissan Terrano - in 2006 (now under this name another car is produced), Isuzu Axiom - in 2004. Thus, the classical design has so far retained only Such models of Japanese SUVs as Challenger, Land Cruiser Prado and 4Runner, MU-X.

Mitsubishi Challenger

This model has been produced since 1996. Challenger is developed based on the L200 pickup. This classic scheme assumes a frame structure, a dependent rear suspension and a pluggable all-wheel drive. Now the third generation is being produced, 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. In some markets, offer 3 liters of petrol V6.

In four markets, four transmission options are available: 5-speed manual and automatic, 6-speed manual, 8-speed automatic. In the third generation of the model, transformations were made towards comfort. Significantly improved the interior trim and expanded the list of equipment offered. In the local market, Pajero Sport is offered only with V6 and 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 is on the market, presented in 2009 and upgraded in 2013. Land Cruiser Prado has a frame construction and a permanent all-wheel drive. It is available in 3 and 5-door versions of the body. The car is equipped with three engines: 3 liters diesel and petrol 2.7 and 4 liters. Available 5 and 6-speed mechanical and 5-speed automatic transmission. 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 of the GX460, produced since 2009, is equipped with a more powerful 4.6 liter V8 petrol engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition, it differs in design, interior trim and equipment. The price starts from 3.9 million rubles.

Toyota 4Runner

This car is produced since 1984. Now it is presented in the fifth generation, which appeared on the market in 2009 and in 2014 underwent restyling. And the right-handed version (Hilux Surf) was withdrawn from production in 2009.

4Runner 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 l petrol V6 engine and 5-speed automatic transmission. But two versions of the all-wheel drive are available: pluggable and permanent.

Like the Challenger, the interior of the current generation 4Runner significantly improved, making it more comfortable and expanding the equipment. In the local market, they do not officially sell such Japanese SUVs. Prices in the US start at $ 31.5 thousand.

Isuzu MU-X

Also built on the basis of a pickup truck (D-Max). Produced in 2013 and is the successor of a similar model MU-7. Has a 7-seater body on the frame. For the MU-X, three diesel engines of 1.9, 2.5 and 3 liters are available and four variants of the gearbox: 5- and 6-step mechanical and automatic. In some markets it is available in single-drive versions. Presented in Australia, Thailand, the Philippines, China. The cost in Australia starts at about $ 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 Produced the largest model of the Toyota Mega Cruiser.

Toyota Land Cruiser

The car has been produced since 1951. Now the 9th generation is on the market. Land Cruiser has a frame structure with a dependent rear suspension and a 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 a 5- and 6-speed automatic transmission. The cost of the car starts from 3.25 million rubles.

Lexus LX

This is an upgraded version of the Land Cruiser, introduced in 1996. Since 2007, the market has a third generation, upgraded in 2015. For the LX570, two V8 engines are available from the Land Cruiser range: 4.5 liters of diesel and 5.7 liters of gasoline. The first is equipped with a 5-, the second - a 6-speed automatic transmission. It differs from Land Cruiser with improved interior, advanced equipment and a modified design. The cost starts from 5.88 million rubles.

Nissan Patrol

The model is manufactured from the same year as the main competitor Land Cruiser. The sixth generation currently in production is also represented in 2010. In 2014, modernization was carried out. The Patrol is a bit more advanced than the Toyota analog. Both suspension are independent, and the engine is the most powerful in the class 5.6 l V8. The cost in Russia starts from 3.97 million rubles.

Infiniti QX

Patrol 2010 g also has an improved analog. However, such a model only appeared in 2010. The QX4, manufactured from 1997 to 2003, was based on the Nissan Pathfinder platform, so it was a mid-size SUV. QX56 2004-2010 Was an analog of the Nissan Armada. The current generation, renamed in 2013 in QX80, is identical in design to Patrol and is characterized by its 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 truck. Currently, it is the largest SUV manufacturer. At the same time, at a cost, it takes place between the Land Cruiser and 4Runner. Since 2008, the second generation has been produced. The car has a frame and a plug-in all-wheel drive. It is equipped with 4.7 and 5.7 l V8 engine and 5 and 6-speed automatic transmission. Prices in the US start at about $ 45,000.

Nissan Armada

According to the concept and specifications, it was originally similar to Sequoia. It was also created for the North American market based on the Titan pickup in 2004. However, earlier this year, a new Japanese SUV was introduced. The base for him was Patrol. In fact, it's the same machine with a slightly modified design. The only technical difference is the presence of a rear-wheel drive version. Thus, the car has become more perfect than the Toyota analog. Therefore, the initial cost of it in the US is $ 4,1 thousand higher.

Place on the market

The popularity of Japanese SUVs can be judged by sales. Suzuki Jimny occupies the 8th place in the B + class, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Land Cruiser are the leaders in the E + and F + classes respectively, the Lexus LX in the F + at the 4th place, the Nissan Patrol - by 6, the Infiniti QX 80 - by 7. And this without Models with a bearing body, which occupy an even larger market share.