NISSAN SCREWED ENTHUSIASTS OVER...
Intro 0:00
THE R34 GTR 0:37
THE S15 SILVIA 1:35
THE NISSAN STAGEA 2:17
THE NISSAN FIGARO 3:15
THE C35 LAUREL 4:17
THE PULSAR GTIR 5:25
THE NISSAN PRESIDENT 6:18
Nissan has a long history of producing some of the most exciting and innovative cars, many of which never made it to U.S. shores. The Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) is home to some seriously cool Nissans that have gained legendary status among enthusiasts but remain elusive outside of Japan. These cars are known for their unique engineering, performance potential, and cultural significance within JDM car culture. In this guide, we’ll explore some of the coolest Nissans that were exclusive to the Japanese market and explain why they’re so special.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 is probably the most iconic Nissan that never officially made it to the United States. While the R32 and R33 GT-Rs were available for import and eventually gained some U.S. exposure, the R34 was never sold here, making it the holy grail for many Nissan enthusiasts.
The Nissan Silvia S15 is another car that never officially made it to U.S. shores, despite its immense popularity within the drifting and tuning communities. The S15 was the last iteration of the Silvia lineup, and Nissan pulled out all the stops to make it the best yet.
The Nissan Stagea may not be as well-known as the GT-R, but for those in the know, it’s often referred to as the "GT-R wagon". The Stagea was designed to be a high-performance station wagon, offering the practicality of a family car while packing serious power under the hood.
On the opposite end of the performance spectrum is the quirky and charming Nissan Figaro. Introduced in 1991, the Figaro was part of Nissan’s "Pike Factory" project, which was a series of retro-styled cars designed to capture the hearts of Japanese buyers. Despite its throwback appearance, the Figaro was equipped with modern features for its time, including air conditioning and leather seats.
The Nissan Laurel C35 is a sleek and luxurious sedan that’s often overlooked in the JDM world. Like the Skyline and Silvia, the Laurel is built on the Nissan FR (front-engine, rear-wheel-drive) platform, making it a great option for enthusiasts who want something a bit more refined than a pure sports car but still want the ability to go sideways.
The Nissan Pulsar GTI-R is a car that’s earned a cult following thanks to its rally heritage and insane performance in a small package. Nicknamed the “Baby Godzilla,” the Pulsar GTI-R is essentially a hot hatch built to homologate Nissan’s entry into the Group A rally championship.
While most enthusiasts associate Nissan with performance cars like the GT-R and Silvia, the company also produced one of Japan’s most luxurious sedans: the Nissan President. Produced from 1965 to 2010, the President was Nissan’s answer to cars like the Toyota Century—a luxury sedan designed to be driven by chauffeurs and to transport high-ranking officials and executives.
Nissan’s JDM lineup includes some of the coolest and most unique cars ever made, from high-performance legends like the Skyline GT-R and Silvia S15, to quirky cult classics like the Nissan Figaro and the luxurious President. While many of these cars never made it to the United States, they’ve gained a strong following among enthusiasts worldwide, especially as importing them has become more feasible.