🚗 A complete guide to classic Japanese cars commonly seen on Hong Kong streets (in-depth observation by our editor)

Although electric vehicles (EVs) and European cars have become increasingly common in Hong Kong in recent years, I still often see a large number of Japanese cars traveling through Kowloon, Hong Kong Island and the New Territories when walking on the streets.
Whether it is taxis, family cars, seven-seater cars (MPVs), or even high-performance sports cars, Japanese brands still occupy the majority of the number of license plates in Hong Kong.

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1️⃣ Why have Japanese cars been so popular in Hong Kong for so long?

The editor summarizes several key reasons:

① Easy maintenance and cheap parts

• Hong Kong has a large number of mechanics familiar with Japanese cars, and the supply of parts is stable.
• The used parts market is active and repair costs are much lower than for European cars.

② Low fuel consumption, reliable and durable

• Japanese cars generally have mature engine technology, high fuel efficiency and long life.
• Many cars are still reliable after being driven for more than 10 years.

③ Price and value preservation

• New cars are cheaper than European cars and have lower first registration taxes.
• Popular models (such as the Toyota Alphard) have high demand in the used market and their prices fall slowly.

④ Suitable for Hong Kong road conditions

• The car has a moderate body size, flexible steering and easy parking.
• The suspension is tuned for bumpy roads in the city.

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2️⃣ Classification of classic Japanese cars commonly seen on the streets of Hong Kong

🚖 Taxi World Overlord

• Toyota Crown Comfort/Comfort Hybrid
  • It almost monopolizes the Hong Kong taxi market, is durable, has a spacious back seat and is easy to maintain.
  • The old Crown Comfort had a service life of more than 15 years.
• Nissan Cedric (early)
  • A common taxi model from the 1990s to early 2000s, it was later completely replaced by Toyota.

🚗 Family RV

• Toyota Corolla / Corolla Axio
  • Fuel-efficient, durable, and cheap to maintain, it is suitable for daily transportation.
• Honda Civic
  • Flexible handling and sporty appearance attract young car owners.
• Nissan Sylphy
  • Good space and comfort, and affordable price.

🚙 Popular SUVs

• Toyota RAV4
  • One of Hong Kong's best-selling SUVs, the hybrid version is particularly popular with families.
• Honda CR-V
  • It has large space and high reliability, making it suitable for cross-region commuting and family travel.
• Mitsubishi Outlander
  • The seven-seater version is suitable for large families, and there is also a PHEV plug-in hybrid version.

🚐 MPV seven-seater

• Toyota Alphard / Vellfire
  • A synonym for high-end MPVs in Hong Kong, it is comfortable and luxurious and extremely popular in the second-hand market.
• Nissan Serena
  • Affordable price, flexible space, suitable for home or commercial use.
• Toyota Noah / Voxy
  • A mid-size MPV with high flexibility and easier parking than the Alphard.

🏎️ Classic sports cars (JDM)

• Nissan GT-R (R35)
  • A high-performance Japanese supercar, rare but highly recognizable on the streets.
• Toyota Supra (A80/A90)
  • As a classic modification platform, the A80 has become a collector's item, while the new A90 model attracts young players.
• Mazda RX-7
  • The rotary engine is a legend and has many fans in Hong Kong, but it is difficult to maintain.
• Honda NSX (first generation and new model)
  • A representative of Japanese supercars, rare and with strong value retention.

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3️⃣ Analysis of the reasons why Hong Kong classic Japanese cars made the list

① Toyota: Durable and value-retaining

• In Hong Kong, Toyota almost represents "stability" and "no lagging behind".
• Toyota has representative products in taxis, government fleets, family cars, and MPVs.
• There is high demand in the second-hand market, especially for Alphard and RAV4.

② Honda: Control + Youthfulness

• Models like the Civic, CR-V, and Fit attract younger car owners.
• Honda’s engine technology is strong (VTEC is famous) and it is fun to drive.

③ Nissan: Diversification

• From economy cars (Sylphy) to high-performance GT-Rs.
• Serena, X-Trail and others have stable sales in the home and commercial markets.

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4️⃣ Secondhand Market and Value Retention

Here are some of the second-hand market trends for classic Japanese cars (as of mid-2025):

📌 Editor's observation:

• MPVs (especially Alphard) have extremely high value retention, and in some years the second-hand price is even higher than that of new cars (due to the long waiting period).
• Sports car models (GT-R, Supra) have seen a slower decline in value due to their collectible value.
• Generally, RVs lose value quickly, but their parts are cheap and circulate quickly in the second-hand market.

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5️⃣ Interesting street observations by the editor

• In Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei, you can often see a row of Toyota Noah/Voxy waiting in line to pick up passengers at night, making it a popular pick-up service for nightlife.
• In rural New Territories, the older Nissan Serena and Mitsubishi Delica are practically universal vehicles for both cargo and passengers.
• At the entrances of high-end hotels in Central and Causeway Bay, white Alphards are almost standard, and drivers often wear suits when picking up and dropping off guests.
• I went to Sai Kung Pier during the holiday to check out the area. The streets were full of CR-Vs, RAV4s, and X-Trails, and the trunks were filled with fishing and camping equipment.

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6️⃣ Future Trends

Short-term (1-3 years)

• Japanese brands will accelerate the launch of hybrid and pure electric models (such as Toyota bZ4X and Nissan Ariya).
• Traditional fuel classic models are still in high demand, especially MPVs and SUVs.

Medium term (3-5 years)

• Some older JDM sports cars (Supra A80, RX-7) will appreciate further in value as global collector demand rises.
• There may be more hybrid and pure electric Toyota models in the taxi market.

Long-term (more than 5 years)

• Pure electric Japanese cars are popular in Hong Kong, but classic fuel models will become "nostalgic collections."

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📌 Editor's Summary

The classic Japanese cars on the streets of Hong Kong are not just a means of transportation, but also a cultural symbol :

• Toyota stands for stability and durability (Crown Comfort, Alphard, RAV4).
• Honda represents driving pleasure and youth (Civic, CR-V, NSX).
• Nissan has representatives between practicality and performance (Serena, GT-R).

Editor's suggestion:

• Family-friendly : RAV4 Hybrid / CR-V / Noah / Alphard
• Performance players : Supra / GT-R / RX-7
• Commercial and Pickup : Crown Comfort / Serena / Voxy