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15 Most Underrated Japanese Cars of the ’90s You Can Still Afford

Cameron Eittreim June 6, 2025

The 1990s were a golden era for Japanese car manufacturers, blending reliability, innovative engineering, and unique styling into affordable packages. While iconic models like the Toyota Supra or Nissan Skyline often steal the spotlight, numerous hidden gems from this decade remain largely overlooked. These underrated cars provide enthusiasts with exceptional value, combining engaging driving dynamics, proven dependability, and timeless charm—all without breaking the bank. Today, many of these lesser-known classics are still affordable and readily available, making them perfect candidates for budget-minded collectors or daily drivers seeking something distinctive. Let’s explore 15 underrated Japanese vehicles from the ’90s that deserve your attention.

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1. Mazda MX-3

The Mazda MX-3 often slips under the radar in favor of its iconic sibling, the MX-5 Miata. Yet, this compact coupe deserves recognition for its spirited performance and unique engineering. Launched in the early ’90s, the MX-3 featured one of the smallest production V6 engines ever made—a 1.8-liter DOHC unit delivering smooth, responsive power. Combined with its lightweight body and agile suspension, the MX-3 offered an engaging drive experience that rivaled pricier sport coupes of the era. Today, this hidden gem remains surprisingly affordable, providing enthusiasts a distinctive alternative to mainstream classics without compromising on driving fun or reliability.

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2. Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

Dubbed the “Baby Godzilla,” the Nissan Pulsar GTI-R brought rally-inspired technology to the streets in an unassuming hatchback package. Beneath its humble exterior lay a potent 2.0-liter turbocharged SR20DET engine, producing approximately 227 horsepower—impressive figures for a compact car of its time. Coupled with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, aggressive suspension tuning, and lightweight construction, the GTI-R delivered thrilling performance comparable to more celebrated hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI and Lancia Delta Integrale. Despite its exceptional capability, the Pulsar GTI-R remains relatively affordable today, making it a fantastic choice for enthusiasts seeking rally-bred performance without the premium price tag.

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3. Toyota Celica GT-Four

The Toyota Celica GT-Four is a genuine rally legend, boasting a turbocharged engine and advanced all-wheel-drive system designed initially for World Rally Championship dominance. Powered by the robust 3S-GTE engine, it produced around 240 horsepower, delivering exhilarating acceleration and impressive agility on twisty roads. However, despite its motorsport credentials, the Celica GT-Four often remains overshadowed by rival icons such as the Subaru Impreza WRX and Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. This overshadowing has kept its market value surprisingly reasonable, making the GT-Four a standout choice today for enthusiasts seeking authentic rally-bred performance and heritage at an accessible price point.

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4. Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

Before the legendary Lancer Evolution took center stage, Mitsubishi’s performance efforts were embodied by the understated yet potent Galant VR-4. Beneath its conservative sedan styling lies impressive hardware: a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4G63 engine paired with a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, delivering approximately 237 horsepower. This combination granted the Galant VR-4 exceptional handling, acceleration, and stability, rivaling contemporary sport sedans from Europe. Often overlooked due to its subtle appearance, the Galant VR-4 remains a true sleeper, offering similar thrills to the more famous Lancer Evolution—but at a significantly lower price point. For enthusiasts seeking stealthy performance, this affordable sedan is a hidden gem.

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5. Honda Prelude Si VTEC

Honda’s Prelude Si VTEC combined sophisticated engineering with sporty handling, yet it frequently remains overshadowed by its more famous siblings, the Civic and Integra. At its heart was Honda’s innovative 2.2-liter H22A VTEC engine, delivering around 190 horsepower and revving smoothly to exhilarating high RPMs. Complementing this powerplant, the Prelude featured advanced technology for its era, such as four-wheel steering and refined suspension tuning, resulting in precise handling and exceptional cornering dynamics. Despite these remarkable attributes, the Prelude Si VTEC remains surprisingly affordable today, making it an enticing option for enthusiasts seeking a stylish and technologically rich alternative to more common Hondas.

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6. Subaru SVX

Designed by renowned Italian stylist Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Subaru SVX represented a bold departure from Subaru’s practical image. Its futuristic styling featured distinctive window-within-a-window glasswork, giving it an unmistakable appearance. Beneath its sleek exterior lay advanced engineering, including a smooth 3.3-liter flat-six engine producing around 230 horsepower and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system providing confident, refined performance in all conditions. Despite these premium attributes and exceptional build quality, the SVX struggled commercially due to its high initial price and unconventional design. Today, this unique coupe remains surprisingly undervalued, offering enthusiasts affordable access to a genuinely rare, stylish, and technologically advanced ’90s classic.

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7. Mazda 323 GTX

The Mazda 323 GTX is an often-forgotten hot hatch with genuine motorsport pedigree. Originally developed as a homologation special to compete in Group A rallying, this compact hatchback boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine paired with a rally-derived all-wheel-drive system. Producing around 132 horsepower, the 323 GTX delivered spirited performance and exceptional traction, particularly on twisty roads and challenging surfaces. Its practical hatchback form made it versatile enough for daily driving, yet it provided excitement comparable to more popular performance compacts of the era. Today, the 323 GTX remains underappreciated and affordable, offering enthusiasts a unique blend of rally heritage and everyday usability.

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8. Suzuki Cappuccino

The Suzuki Cappuccino embodies the pure essence of lightweight, minimalist motoring. As a classic Japanese kei car, it features a tiny yet spirited 657cc turbocharged engine, delivering around 63 horsepower in a vehicle weighing only about 1,600 pounds. This combination results in agile handling, crisp steering feedback, and immense driving pleasure—especially on winding roads. Often overshadowed by Mazda’s more popular Miata, the Cappuccino offers comparable fun in a smaller, rarer package, making it especially appealing for collectors and enthusiasts seeking exclusivity. Despite its limited production and relative rarity, the Cappuccino remains surprisingly affordable, providing an accessible entry point into unique, engaging sports car ownership.

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9. Nissan NX2000

The Nissan NX2000 is often overlooked despite its sporty credentials and distinctive styling. Powered by Nissan’s celebrated 2.0-liter SR20DE engine, producing around 140 horsepower, this compact coupe delivered lively acceleration and agile handling. Its unique T-top roof offered open-air enjoyment, combining convertible-like freedom with coupe practicality. While contemporaries like the Honda CRX and Toyota MR2 received greater acclaim, the NX2000 provided similar performance and thrills at a more accessible price point. Today, the NX2000 remains affordably attainable, making it an intriguing choice for enthusiasts seeking a sporty, reliable, and distinctive alternative to better-known sports coupes of the ’90s.

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10. Toyota MR2 SW20 (Non-Turbo)

While the turbocharged MR2 often receives the lion’s share of attention, the naturally aspirated SW20 variant deserves recognition for its exceptional handling and approachable performance. Equipped with a reliable 2.2-liter 5S-FE engine producing around 130 horsepower, this mid-engine sports car offers precise steering, excellent weight distribution, and balanced cornering dynamics. Though not as powerful as its turbocharged sibling, the non-turbo MR2 provides a rewarding driving experience that’s both accessible and confidence-inspiring. Its relative obscurity has kept prices low, allowing enthusiasts to acquire a genuine mid-engine sports car at a fraction of the cost, making it an appealing and underrated classic.

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11. Isuzu Impulse RS

The Isuzu Impulse RS remains one of the rarest and most overlooked Japanese performance cars from the ’90s. Equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system, this compact coupe delivered spirited performance and impressive grip. Adding to its credentials, the Impulse RS featured handling dynamics fine-tuned by Lotus, resulting in precise steering and exceptional agility on winding roads. Despite these impressive attributes, the Impulse RS never gained widespread recognition, overshadowed by more mainstream rivals. Today, this scarcity translates into affordable pricing for enthusiasts who appreciate exclusivity, turbocharged performance, and Lotus-inspired handling wrapped in an intriguingly unique package.

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12. Mitsubishi FTO

The Mitsubishi FTO stands out with its sleek, aerodynamic styling and spirited front-wheel-drive performance. Featuring a smooth-revving 2.0-liter V6 engine—particularly impressive in the MIVEC-equipped GPX trim, producing up to 197 horsepower—the FTO offered exhilarating acceleration and a rewarding driving experience. Its compact, lightweight design provided agile handling, making it a genuine rival to more famous ’90s coupes like the Honda Integra Type R and Toyota Celica. Although never officially sold in many markets outside Japan, its relative obscurity has kept prices accessible today, allowing enthusiasts to own a genuinely distinctive Japanese coupe with engaging dynamics and head-turning looks.

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13. Honda Beat

The Honda Beat encapsulates the pure joy of driving in a tiny, spirited package. Featuring a mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 656cc three-cylinder engine delivering around 63 horsepower, this kei-class roadster offers an exhilarating driving experience despite modest power figures. Its compact dimensions, lightweight design, and finely-tuned chassis result in sharp handling, responsive steering, and endless fun on winding roads. While often overshadowed by larger, more powerful sports cars, the Beat remains an affordable gateway into mid-engine motoring. For enthusiasts seeking an accessible introduction to kei sports car ownership, the Honda Beat delivers an authentic driving pleasure that’s hard to match.

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14. Daihatsu Charade GTti

The Daihatsu Charade GTti packs an unexpected punch from its tiny, turbocharged 993cc three-cylinder engine, producing around 100 horsepower—a remarkable achievement for its era. Thanks to its lightweight construction and compact dimensions, the GTti delivers energetic acceleration and nimble handling, easily keeping pace with better-known hot hatches like the Volkswagen Golf GTI or Peugeot 205 GTi. Despite this spirited performance, the Charade GTti remains largely unnoticed by enthusiasts, making it an affordable alternative today. For those seeking an authentic, agile, and characterful driving experience, this underrated pocket rocket offers a unique charm that’s increasingly rare in modern cars.

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15. Nissan Stagea RS Four

The Nissan Stagea RS Four blends practicality and performance seamlessly, making it one of the most underrated Japanese cars of the ’90s. Equipped with Nissan’s robust RB25DET turbocharged inline-six engine, and sharing numerous drivetrain components with the legendary Skyline, the Stagea offers impressive power, handling, and reliability. Its spacious wagon body provides ample cargo space, offering family-friendly usability without sacrificing enthusiast appeal. Often overshadowed by the more iconic Skyline variants, the Stagea RS Four remains a considerably more affordable option. Today, this powerful, practical wagon is an attractive choice for enthusiasts seeking Skyline-level performance in a versatile and cost-effective package.

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Conclusion

The 1990s produced some truly remarkable Japanese cars, many of which still remain hidden gems today. These underrated vehicles offer enthusiasts a compelling combination of innovative engineering, engaging driving dynamics, and lasting reliability—all at surprisingly affordable prices. From rally-inspired hatchbacks to compact kei cars and practical yet sporty wagons, this list showcases a diverse range of options suited to various tastes and budgets. As these overlooked models become increasingly rare, now is the perfect opportunity to appreciate, preserve, and enjoy these unique classics. By giving these underrated ’90s Japanese cars the recognition they deserve, we ensure their legacy continues for future generations.

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15 Most Underrated Japanese Cars of the ’90s You Can Still Afford

1. Mazda MX-3

2. Nissan Pulsar GTI-R

3. Toyota Celica GT-Four

4. Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

5. Honda Prelude Si VTEC

6. Subaru SVX

7. Mazda 323 GTX

8. Suzuki Cappuccino

9. Nissan NX2000

10. Toyota MR2 SW20 (Non-Turbo)

11. Isuzu Impulse RS

12. Mitsubishi FTO

13. Honda Beat

14. Daihatsu Charade GTti

15. Nissan Stagea RS Four

Conclusion

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