Car News from Japan

Toyota is weighing whether to restore physical fan-speed controls on the sixth-generation RAV4 after owner complaints about the touchscreen-only setup, chief engineer Yoshinori Futonagane says, with pushback coming even from Chinese customers Toyota assumed preferred touch controls.

Nissan revealed the fourth-generation Elgrand and started sales in Japan, its first major redesign since 2010. The minivan runs Nissan's e-POWER hybrid system with e-4ORCE all-wheel drive, priced from ¥6,897,000 ($42,470).

The three Japanese makers are in final talks to standardize the electronic control units (ECUs) that run their next-generation hybrids and EVs. The shared modules would cover autonomous driving, infotainment and powertrain control, with cars expected from 2029-2030. The aim is to cut costs against Chinese rivals and Tesla.

Mitsubishi has shown the first official photos of the Eclipse Sportback, an electric crossover based on the third-generation Nissan Leaf and built solely for North America. It gets its own bumpers, front fascia and tail-light pattern; the powertrain is undisclosed. Sales start in late summer or early autumn 2026.

Toyota Gazoo Racing has revealed the GRMN Corolla, the sharpest GR Corolla yet. A 1.6-litre turbo three making 304 hp / 415 Nm, six-speed manual only, GR-FOUR AWD, a carbon aero kit and around 30 kg less weight. Orders open autumn 2026, deliveries in 2027, in a limited run.

Mazda has officially confirmed a second-generation CX-3 in its FY2025 financial documents. The current model has been in production since 2014 - longer than any other car in Mazda's current lineup.

Toyota has revealed the updated Yaris Cross for Europe. The facelift brings a new front grille with body-coloured honeycomb inserts, revised LED lighting, and updates to the interior and driver assistance systems. The 1.5-litre hybrid powertrain is unchanged.

Nissan has revealed the updated 2027 Z for the US. The big news: the Nismo finally gets a manual gearbox. With the Toyota Supra and BMW Z4 leaving the market this year, the Z becomes one of the few affordable sports coupes left.

Suzuki has updated the second-generation Hustler and its Tough Wild off-road variant. Both are on sale in Japan now. The powertrain is unchanged - 660cc mild hybrid - but the exterior styling and safety equipment have been revised.

Nissan has updated the Versa for 2026 with new exterior styling. The powertrain is unchanged - 1.6-litre naturally aspirated, 120 hp - but the equipment list gains a 12.3-inch screen, Bose audio, and a Safety Shield 360 package.

Lexus revealed the TZ, its first three-row electric SUV. Modified TNGA-K platform, AWD, 408 hp, 95.8 kWh, 530 km WLTP. Six seats. US and Japan late 2026, Europe 2027. Pricing not announced.

The Land Cruiser FJ debuted in Thailand in October 2025 and went on sale there in March 2026. Japan now gets it in a single VX trim - 163 hp 2.7L naturally aspirated four-cylinder, six-speed automatic, part-time 4WD, 4,575 mm body on an IMV ladder frame. ¥4,500,100 in Japan.

Mazda CEO Masahiro Moro confirmed that the company's first in-house EV on a dedicated platform is delayed from 2027 to 2029, with no factory lines or supplier contracts committed. The electrification budget is cut from $12.5B to $7.5B by 2030. EV volume target falls from 25–40% of sales to 15%. Hybrids and Chinese-made stopgap EVs fill the gap.

Nissan refreshed the Ariya for the European market. Powertrain unchanged - three variants from 217 to 306 hp, 63 or 87 kWh. New exterior details, revised interior, V2L, updated ProPilot. From €58,840 in Germany.

The Navara Pro for the Middle East is actually the Chinese-market Frontier Pro under a different name. Here's how Nissan's pickup lineup currently maps across markets.

Second-generation Suzuki Across launched in the Netherlands - a rebadged Toyota RAV4 PHEV in Woodland/Adventure spec. 304 hp, AWD, 22.7 kWh. One trim. €52,695 in the Netherlands; broader Europe from summer 2026.