Not every fast car gets a spotlight. While legends like the Supra and Skyline hog the headlines, a bunch of JDM machines quietly delivered serious performance without the fame. Some were ahead of their time, some were overshadowed by flashier siblings, and others just didn’t get the hype they deserved.

But if you look past the usual suspects, you’ll find a list of underrated cars that could handle, launch, and surprise just as well—if not better—than the big names. Here are 10 JDM sports cars that flew under the radar but still packed a serious punch.

Mazda MX-6 GT (Turbo)

The MX-6 GT flew under the radar in the late ’80s, but it had real performance. With a 2.2L turbocharged inline-four making 145 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, it was quick for its day, hitting 60 mph in under 7 seconds. It also came with four-wheel steering, which was rare tech at the time.

It shared its platform with the Ford Probe but never got the same recognition. Clean styling, a solid chassis, and forced induction made it fun to drive—but it rarely gets mentioned in JDM circles.

Nissan 200SX SE-R (B14)

This one didn’t look like a sports car, but it sure moved like one. The B14 SE-R packed the SR20DE 2.0L four-cylinder with 140 hp and a 5-speed manual. It was lightweight, quick, and handled better than most people expected from a front-wheel-drive compact.

It had a loyal following in the ‘90s but never broke into the mainstream like the Integra or Civic Si. Today, it’s mostly forgotten—but if you find a clean one, it’s still a blast for backroad driving.

Toyota Soarer (Z30)

The Z30 Soarer was basically the Japanese-market Lexus SC300/400—but with more interesting engine options. You could get it with the legendary 1JZ-GTE twin-turbo inline-six making 276 hp, or the 4.0L V8 for smooth power. It was built for highway cruising but had serious tuning potential.

While the Supra stole the spotlight, the Soarer offered a similar chassis with a more refined feel. It’s still affordable today, and with a few mods, it can turn into a proper street machine.

Mitsubishi Galant VR-4

Before the Evo hit the scene, the Galant VR-4 was Mitsubishi’s AWD turbocharged answer to rally homologation. It had a 2.0L turbo four (the 4G63), making around 195 hp, paired with all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering.

It was quick, handled well, and set the stage for what would become the Lancer Evolution. But it never caught on in big numbers, mostly because it looked like a standard family sedan. Still, it’s a hidden weapon if you know what you’re looking at.

Honda Prelude Type SH

The fifth-gen Prelude Type SH came with a 2.2L VTEC engine making 200 hp and a slick-handling system called ATTS (Active Torque Transfer System). It gave the car serious agility through the corners—especially compared to other front-wheel-drive coupes of the time.

It had clean lines and a solid interior, but it never really got out from under the Civic and Integra’s shadow. Even today, it’s one of those cars that handles better than people expect. Not flashy, just solid—and underrated.

Subaru SVX

The SVX was Subaru trying something different. It came with a 3.3L flat-six making 230 hp and a unique all-wheel-drive system. It looked like nothing else on the road thanks to its aircraft-inspired windows and slippery shape.

Most people didn’t know what to make of it, and sales were slow. But under the skin, it had real capability. It was more grand tourer than corner-carver, but for highway pulls and stability in all weather, it could hold its own.

Toyota Celica All-Trac Turbo (ST185)

The Celica All-Trac Turbo was Toyota’s rally-bred AWD beast with a 2.0L turbo four making 200 hp. It was built to homologate Toyota’s WRC program and came with a reinforced chassis, a viscous center diff, and a serious rally pedigree.

It didn’t get the spotlight like the Supra or MR2, but it could hang with them when things got twisty or slippery. Production numbers were low, and today it’s hard to find a clean one—but if you do, it’s worth a look.

Isuzu Impulse RS

Yes, Isuzu made a sports car worth talking about. The Impulse RS was AWD, turbocharged, and came with Lotus-tuned suspension. It made 160 hp from a 1.6L turbo engine and handled better than you’d ever guess from the brand badge.

Most people skipped right over it in the ’90s, but it was quick and fun to drive—especially in the corners. It’s one of those forgotten JDM machines that deserves a second look, especially if you want something off the beaten path.

Nissan Silvia S12 Turbo

Before the drift-friendly S13 came around, the S12 was doing its thing in the background. It had an optional 1.8L turbo engine making around 120–140 hp, depending on the market, and rear-wheel drive with a decent balance.

It didn’t have the aftermarket love of later Silvias, but the bones were there. It was lightweight, tossable, and came with pop-up headlights for bonus style points. These days, it’s one of the last cheap RWD JDM coupes—if you can find one.

Mazda Millenia S

The Millenia S was Mazda going upscale—but it packed a surprise under the hood. It had a 2.3L Miller-cycle V6 with a supercharger, good for 210 hp and impressive torque across the rev range. It wasn’t exactly a sports car, but the powertrain made it feel punchier than you’d expect.

Most buyers were looking at Lexus or Acura, so the Millenia didn’t stand a chance. But the engine tech was interesting, and the S model had enough get-up-and-go to raise a few eyebrows. Quietly fast, and still under the radar.

*This article was hand crafted with AI-powered tools and has been car-fully, I mean carefully, reviewed by our editors.