The rich and wealthy are a curious lot sometimes. With eccentric tastes and unique perspectives, there’s no telling what they’ll fancy from one day to another. But if there’s anything that’s evident, it’s their affinity for the better things in life; and flaunting them. These extravagant and luxurious tastes are not exclusive to Royals like the Royal Family of the U.K. or the Emperor and Empress of Japan, though it’s clear that the expensive tastes of the wealthy carry over to their preferences in transportation. And there seem to be some favorites when it comes to their cars like Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Benz.
But there are other options. Particularly, Japan has been building some of the most luxurious vehicles for decades. Riddled with features that could rival the more established luxury brands, Japanese automakers have been able to get close, if not match other luxury brands.
More often than not, the affluent prefer big, spacious, and expensive, and often, are optioned with the most powerful engines available. The rich definitely have a preference for performance luxury sedans, and in more recent years, even luxury vans. And because of the attention they get, more so with today’s social media, cars of the royals and wealthy are often bulletproofed, and that is where the extra engine performance usually comes in handy to lug the extra weight to cruising speed. Given these, here are some of the most significant Japanese luxury cars that left their mark.
10 Nissan President
With a name that undoubtedly shows its intent for elegance and luxury, the Nissan President was exactly that and was sold alongside the Toyota Century. Built by hand like its Toyota counterpart, the President similarly had the ultimate luxury in mind. Offered with a V-8 engine from its first introduction in 1965, the President was considered a status symbol in Japan which undoubtedly was a reason for its popularity among the affluent Japanese.
Specifications
Engine |
4.4-liter, overhead-valve, naturally aspirated V-8 |
Power |
197 horsepower |
Torque |
249 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Three-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive |
Its brutish angles, straight lines and vast amounts of chrome pieces exuded sophistication as much as its spacious interior. Heavily padded seats and lacquered wood trims furnished its interior, displaying the finest Japanese craftsmanship. A popular engine choice for the Nissan President was a 4.4-liter V-8 engine that was partnered with a smooth-shifting three-speed automatic transmission. Providing more than enough power, comfort, and luxury, the Nissan President was a fitting choice for an executive of a big company.
9 Toyota Century
Built as Toyota’s flagship luxury model for its domestic market, the Toyota Century was and is the pinnacle of Japanese luxury. Known to sit above the Toyota food chain, even higher than Lexus, the Toyota Century is the only Japanese front-engine V-12, rear-wheel drive vehicle ever to be produced. Popular among Japanese government officials and the Imperial House of Japan, the Century was directly aimed against the Nissan President who was also in the same class.
Specifications
Engine |
5.0-liter, 48-valve, naturally aspirated V-12 |
Power |
276 horsepower |
Torque |
355 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Four-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive |
Powered by Toyota’s only V-12 ever made, the Century hit its design brief on the head by being one of the smoothest and quietest driving cars ever made. Often described as more wafting than driving, the flagship Toyota is just as luxurious with its interior. With luxury features like pure wool upholstery, passenger footrest, power-reclining heated and massaging rear seats, a built-in TV, and a tape recorder, it’s not a surprise that the Japanese Elite see it fitting to be “wafted around” in the Toyota Century.
8 Nissan Cima
As the rival to Toyota’s Crown Royal Saloon, it is understandable that the Nissan Cima also found itself as a popular choice within the upper ranks of multi-million organizations. Being the foundation of what became the Infiniti Q45, the Cima was also well-liked among affluent Japanese, so much in fact that Japanese media coined the term “Cima phenomenon” to refer to its popularity. Powered by either a turbocharged V-6 or a 4.1-liter V-8, the Cima never lacked power.
Specifications
Engine |
4.1-liter, double-overhead-cam, 32-valve, naturally aspirated V-8 |
Power |
266 horsepower |
Torque |
273 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Four-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive |
Neither did it lack in luxury. Power reclining rear seats, premium audio, and automatic climate control were some of the features that made the Cima so popular. In terms of safety, the Nissan Cima came standard with ABS and traction control systems and an assortment of airbags. With its luxurious features and V-8 power, the Nissan Cima was not a difficult choice to make for any wealthy individual. Surely those safety features are a big plus, though.
7 Toyota Crown
The Toyota Crown is a mid-size sedan offered by the Japanese car manufacturer. With an uninterrupted run from 1955 to this day, the Crown is understandably popular in its homeland of Japan. Available over a period with a wide range of engines, the Crown was also popular as a police vehicle and transport for government officials of the time and not just the Japanese rich.
Specifications (Royal Saloon G)
Engine |
3.0-liter, double-overhead cam, 24-valve, naturally aspirated, straight-six |
Power |
190 horsepower |
Torque |
188 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Five-speed manual/four-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive |
The eighth-generation Toyota Crown stands out because it is the first generation available with four-wheel independent suspension, making it comfortable and well-mannered on the road. This generation was also available with a 3.0-liter straight-six in its top “Royal Saloon G” trim, which in its turbocharged configuration powered the top trim Supra. With its good-looking boxy lines, comfortable suspension, and powerful engine choices, it’s not hard to see why it was a choice for wealthy Japanese business persons in its time.
6 Acura Legend
Although now discontinued, the Acura Legend was Honda’s closest rival to the Lexus LS400 and Infiniti Q45. Closest because the Acura was right along size the Lexus and Infiniti in terms of size but lacked two cylinders to really compete with its Japanese contemporaries of the time. But even then, the Acura was still more luxurious than most of the cars on the road and was the flagship sedan for Honda. Poised as a midsize executive sedan, the Legend definitely provided niceties in its build quality and interior.
Specifications
Engine |
3.2-liter, double-overhead-cam, 24-valve naturally aspirated V-6 |
Power |
200 horsepower |
Torque |
210 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Four-speed automatic; front-wheel drive |
Powered by the same base engine as the V-6 that propels the NSX, the Legend was smooth and was equally plush as the Lexus LS400. The second generation was actually larger than its predecessor but made way for features that even the Lexus and Infiniti were not available with. Dual airbags for both driver and passenger sides, speed-sensitive steering, automatic climate control, heated seats and mirrors, hands-free phone, ABS, and seat-belt pre-tensioners were just a few and all came standard for the 1992 models and onwards until the Acura Legend made way for what is now the Acura RLX.
5 Lexus LS
Perfect right out of the gate in 1989, the Lexus LS400 was a success that also launched Lexus as Toyota’s luxury brand. Set to take on established luxury brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz, the LS400 set a new benchmark for luxury, comfort, and reliability from its debut. A leather interior, useful features, and a smooth and isolated driving experience like nothing else were what set the Lexus apart. Not to mention it cost much less than the Mercedes S-class that it was designed to compete against.
Specifications
Engine |
4.0-liter, quad-cam 32-valve, naturally aspirated V-8 |
Power |
250 horsepower |
Torque |
260 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Four-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive |
Powered by an all-new buttery smooth 4.0-liter V-8 and an equally smooth four-speed transmission, the LS400 is a no-brainer even for any Japanese company boss. Its elegant yet understated styling was matched by its interior which was also as comfortable and spacious as the rivals it was set against. Sold as the Toyota Celsior in Japan the Lexus was a logical alternative for a Japanese CEO.
4 Infiniti Q45
As you can probably tell by now, Toyota and Nissan have been slugging it out in Japan with their luxury sedan offerings. And the purpose of the Infiniti Q45 is to compete against the Lexus LS. Although admittedly, Inifiniti has been severely behind Lexus for some time now, when taken on its own the Q45 still provides quite a lot of luxuries.
Specifications
Engine |
4.5-liter, double-overhead-cam 24-valve, V-8 |
Power |
340 horsepower |
Torque |
333 pound-feet |
Transmission |
Five-speed automatic; rear-wheel drive |
HID headlights, Leather interior, power-adjustable seats, power sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, and a Bose premium sound system are just some features that were packed into the Infiniti. A lot of these features were still uncommon at the time the fourth generation Q45 was introduced in 2001 and were considered ground-breaking. As for its styling, the Infiniti Q45 was a hit or miss dividing opinions, but that doesn’t take away from the Lexus competitor. Powered by a 4.5-liter V-8, and a five-speed automatic transmission, it could definitely hold its own against the Lexus.
3 Mitsuoka Galue
No, this is not a cheap Jaguar Mk2 kit car. This in fact is a 2008 Mitusoka Galue and it’s relatively unknown outside of Japan. Built by Mitsuoka Motors, the Galue is a coach-built luxury sedan that definitely has unique tastes and proclivities toward the 50s and 60s design. But don’t mistake this for a classic vehicle because, underneath its one-of-a-kind body, the Mitsuoka Galue is more modern than what it’s dressed to be.
Specifications
Engine |
3.5-liter, double-overhead-cam 24-valve. V-6 |
Power |
270 horsepower |
Torque |
258 pound-feet |
Transmission |
CVT; front-wheel drive |
Starting with a Nissan Teana mid-size luxury sedan, which is known as the Nissan Altima outside of Japan, Mitsuoka shapes a new body and interior and even their own features that were never available in the Nissan cars that serve as their canvass. One of those features has never been seen in any other car. Called the “courtesy door”, is a driver-activated function where the rear passenger doors can be opened and closed with a push of a button. Not even Rolls-Royce offers that feature! Powered by the same 3.5-liter Nissan V-6 found in the Altima this Japanese luxury obscurity definitely tickles the fancy of wealthy Japanese.
2 Toyota Alphard
The Toyota Alphard is a seven- to eight-seater minivan that Toyota produces for the Asian markets and has recently become popular among crazy rich Asians. Affording more space and similarly luxurious options and features, the Alphard is not your soccer mom’s minivan. Sold with options like plush leather seats, front and rear air-conditioning, fully reclining second-row captain seats with massage function, and even fold-out footrests and tables, it’s understandable that even the Japanese royals found the Alphard difficult to ignore.
Specifications (2024 2.5 HEV)
Engine |
2.5-liter, double-overhead-cam 16-valve naturally aspirated four-cylinder, electric hybrid |
Power |
247 horsepower |
Torque |
Unannounced |
Transmission |
CVT |
The recently announced 2024 Toyota Alphard will reportedly be powered by either a 2.5-liter in-line four-cylinder or a turbocharged 2.4-liter in-line four-cylinder in the more upscale Vellfire model. Both can be configured as a hybrid electric vehicle, definitely guaranteed to provide more power and fuel efficiency, not that the latter should matter to wealthy company bosses.
1 Lexus LM
If the Toyota Alphard is an irresistible choice as a CEO-mobile, the Lexus LM is fit for the very head of the conglomerate. Although it is a rebadged and restyled Alphard, the Lexus version elevates elegance and luxury way above the scale, which is what sets the minivan apart from its Toyota sibling. The Lexus design language applied to a minivan surprisingly looks good, but the interior seems to be the epitome of Japanese opulence.
Specifications
Engine |
2.5-liter, double-overhead-cam, 16-valve naturally aspirated four-cylinder, electric hybrid |
Power |
247 horsepower |
Torque |
Unannounced |
Transmission |
CVT |
The LM provides more space by doing away with the third-row seats that come with the Alphard and in their place are two power-adjustable captain seats with more legroom and space, a chiller compartment for beverages and snacks, and even an umbrella receptacle. The Lexus LM also comes with a premium sound system and everything inside is clothed in leather and wood trim pieces, all features that are at par with features from ultra-luxury brands that make the Lexus LM fitting for a company director or chairman.
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