Buying guide · updated 24 September 2026

The 50 best cars to import from Japan to Ireland

These are the cars Irish buyers most often import from Japan and most often compare against each other, ranked by a mix of real import volumes (Cartell and SIMI data) and Japanese auction supply. Every price below is a real median from 893,121 Japanese auction results between 2026-06-20 and 2026-09-19.

Volkswagen Golf

Ireland's most-imported car from Japan in 2025.

Median at auction: €3,144
Sold (3 months): 2,761

Compared with: Toyota Corolla Sport, Mazda3, Audi A3

Volkswagen Polo

The second most-imported car from Japan, and cheap to run.

Median at auction: €2,643
Sold (3 months): 2,277

Compared with: Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Suzuki Swift

Audi A3

Premium hatchback, Japanese-spec and often loaded with options.

Median at auction: €3,945
Sold (3 months): 910

Compared with: Volkswagen Golf, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, BMW 1 Series

Honda Fit

The clever small car with 'magic seats' and huge interior space.

Median at auction: €1,163
Sold (3 months): 15,719

Compared with: Toyota Aqua, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Polo

Toyota Aqua

The Prius hybrid system in a small, cheap-to-run hatchback.

Median at auction: €1,775
Sold (3 months): 22,223

Compared with: Honda Fit Hybrid, Toyota Yaris Hybrid, Nissan Note e-Power

Toyota Yaris

Ireland's favourite supermini, available as petrol or hybrid.

Median at auction: €5,061
Sold (3 months): 10,262

Compared with: Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit, Volkswagen Polo

Mazda2

Sold in Japan as the Demio: stylish, economical and fun to drive.

Median at auction: €1,252
Sold (3 months): 7,574

Compared with: Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Suzuki Swift

Suzuki Swift

Light, fun and cheap: a favourite with first-time drivers.

Median at auction: €1,082
Sold (3 months): 4,480

Compared with: Toyota Yaris, Mazda2, Volkswagen Polo

Mazda3

Ireland's most stylish family hatchback, badged Axela in older Japanese cars.

Median at auction: €7,955
Sold (3 months): 1,572

Compared with: Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Corolla Sport, Honda Civic

#10

Nissan Note

The e-Power hybrid that drives like an EV but never needs charging.

Median at auction: €1,686
Sold (3 months): 18,088

Compared with: Toyota Aqua, Honda Fit Hybrid, Nissan Leaf

#11

Toyota Corolla Sport

The current Corolla hatchback, sold in Japan as the Corolla Sport.

Median at auction: €8,086
Sold (3 months): 1,046

Compared with: Volkswagen Golf, Mazda3, Honda Civic

#12

BMW 1 Series

A premium hatchback, often very well specced from Japan.

Median at auction: €3,297
Sold (3 months): 1,502

Compared with: Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Volkswagen Golf

#13

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

The premium compact with a big-car feel and the MBUX screen.

Median at auction: €3,061
Sold (3 months): 991

Compared with: Audi A3, BMW 1 Series, Volkswagen Golf

#14

Toyota Prius

The original hybrid, and a taxi-rank favourite for good reason.

Median at auction: €1,981
Sold (3 months): 27,929

Compared with: Toyota Corolla, Toyota Aqua, Honda Insight

#15

Toyota Corolla Fielder

A compact estate with a hybrid option, hugely popular in rural Ireland.

Median at auction: €2,493
Sold (3 months): 9,837

Compared with: Honda Shuttle, Toyota Corolla Touring, Toyota Prius

#16

Toyota Corolla Touring

The current Corolla estate: hybrid, spacious and nearly new at auction.

Median at auction: €7,273
Sold (3 months): 2,546

Compared with: Toyota Corolla Fielder, Honda Shuttle, Skoda Octavia Combi

#17

Honda Shuttle

A Fit-based hybrid estate with a massive boot for its size.

Median at auction: €2,638
Sold (3 months): 3,266

Compared with: Toyota Corolla Fielder, Toyota Corolla Touring

#18

BMW 3 Series

The benchmark sports saloon, with strong supply from Japan.

Median at auction: €2,577
Sold (3 months): 2,545

Compared with: Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, Lexus IS

#19

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Executive comfort at a big discount from Japan.

Median at auction: €3,895
Sold (3 months): 2,310

Compared with: BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, Lexus IS

#20

Audi A4

A refined executive saloon or Avant estate.

Median at auction: €2,679
Sold (3 months): 732

Compared with: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Volkswagen Passat

#21

Volkswagen Passat

A spacious, understated family saloon or estate.

Median at auction: €1,978
Sold (3 months): 300

Compared with: Skoda Superb, Toyota Camry, Audi A4

#22

Lexus IS

Toyota reliability in a premium, rear-wheel-drive saloon.

Median at auction: €3,344
Sold (3 months): 948

Compared with: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4

#23

BMW 5 Series

A large executive saloon at a fraction of the new price.

Median at auction: €2,487
Sold (3 months): 989

Compared with: Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6, Lexus GS

#24

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

A long-distance cruiser with a strong presence at auction.

Median at auction: €2,855
Sold (3 months): 1,131

Compared with: BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Lexus GS

#25

Honda Civic

The latest Civic hatch, plus the Type R that enthusiasts chase.

Median at auction: €11,324
Sold (3 months): 1,470

Compared with: Volkswagen Golf, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla Sport

#26

Toyota C-HR

Ireland's favourite hybrid crossover, and a star of the import market.

Median at auction: €7,602
Sold (3 months): 4,485

Compared with: Honda Vezel, Toyota Yaris Cross, Nissan Qashqai

#27

Honda Vezel

Sold in Ireland as the HR-V: a roomy hybrid crossover.

Median at auction: €8,347
Sold (3 months): 11,121

Compared with: Toyota C-HR, Toyota Yaris Cross, Nissan Qashqai

#28

Toyota RAV4

Ireland's top-selling family SUV, available as hybrid and plug-in.

Median at auction: €12,827
Sold (3 months): 5,139

Compared with: Honda CR-V, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail

#29

Honda CR-V

A spacious, reliable family SUV with a hybrid option.

Median at auction: €3,061
Sold (3 months): 1,196

Compared with: Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Nissan X-Trail

#30

Mazda CX-5

Premium feel and great handling in a family SUV.

Median at auction: €4,786
Sold (3 months): 6,813

Compared with: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Nissan X-Trail

#31

Nissan X-Trail

A practical SUV, now available with the e-Power hybrid.

Median at auction: €2,226
Sold (3 months): 9,306

Compared with: Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Honda CR-V

#32

Toyota Harrier

A luxurious Japanese-market SUV, related to the RAV4 and Lexus RX.

Median at auction: €9,794
Sold (3 months): 7,696

Compared with: Lexus NX, Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX

#33

Lexus NX

A premium hybrid SUV: quiet, reliable and well equipped.

Median at auction: €15,637
Sold (3 months): 2,128

Compared with: Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC

#34

Lexus RX

A large luxury hybrid SUV built to last.

Median at auction: €19,185
Sold (3 months): 2,582

Compared with: BMW X5, Audi Q7, Volvo XC90

#35

Volkswagen Tiguan

A popular family SUV, increasingly imported from Japan.

Median at auction: €8,389
Sold (3 months): 604

Compared with: Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5, Skoda Kodiaq

#36

Audi Q3

A premium compact SUV, well equipped from Japan.

Median at auction: €7,707
Sold (3 months): 543

Compared with: BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus UX

#37

Audi Q5

A premium mid-size SUV with quattro all-wheel drive.

Median at auction: €8,431
Sold (3 months): 367

Compared with: BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Lexus NX

#38

BMW X1

A compact premium SUV, often specced with M Sport.

Median at auction: €4,730
Sold (3 months): 1,103

Compared with: Audi Q3, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Volvo XC40

#39

BMW X3

A mid-size premium SUV and a strong alternative to the Q5.

Median at auction: €5,342
Sold (3 months): 627

Compared with: Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Lexus NX

#40

Subaru Forester

Symmetrical all-wheel drive, built for Irish back roads.

Median at auction: €3,556
Sold (3 months): 5,861

Compared with: Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Subaru XV

#41

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The original plug-in hybrid SUV: electric for the school run.

Median at auction: €3,817
Sold (3 months): 995

Compared with: Toyota RAV4 PHV, Kia Sorento PHEV, Volvo XC60 Recharge

#42

Toyota Yaris Cross

A compact hybrid SUV, and a top-5 best seller new in Ireland.

Median at auction: €11,375
Sold (3 months): 5,948

Compared with: Toyota C-HR, Honda Vezel, Hyundai Kona

#43

Suzuki Jimny

A tiny, tough 4x4 with a waiting list when new.

Median at auction: €3,561
Sold (3 months): 4,457

Compared with: Suzuki Jimny Sierra, Land Rover Defender

#44

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado

Legendary toughness for farms, towing and off-road use.

Median at auction: €18,670
Sold (3 months): 4,424

Compared with: Mitsubishi Pajero, Land Rover Discovery, Toyota Hilux

#45

Toyota Alphard

A luxury people carrier with first-class rear seats.

Median at auction: €12,443
Sold (3 months): 13,365

Compared with: Toyota Vellfire, Nissan Elgrand, Mercedes-Benz V-Class

#46

Toyota Noah / Voxy

Seven or eight-seat family MPVs with sliding doors and hybrid options.

Median at auction: €3,011
Sold (3 months): 12,958

Compared with: Nissan Serena, Honda Stepwgn, Toyota Sienta

#47

Nissan Serena

A family MPV with sliding doors and an e-Power option.

Median at auction: €1,313
Sold (3 months): 18,782

Compared with: Toyota Noah / Voxy, Honda Stepwgn

#48

Honda Freed

A compact six or seven-seat MPV that is easy to park.

Median at auction: €2,805
Sold (3 months): 10,724

Compared with: Toyota Sienta, Toyota Noah / Voxy

#49

Toyota Sienta

A compact seven-seat hybrid MPV.

Median at auction: €3,422
Sold (3 months): 12,593

Compared with: Honda Freed, Toyota Noah / Voxy

#50

Nissan Leaf

An affordable used electric car, with battery health as the key check.

Median at auction: €2,449
Sold (3 months): 2,651

Compared with: Renault Zoe, Hyundai Ioniq Electric, Volkswagen e-Golf

How we chose the 50

We started with Ireland's most imported used models from Japan in 2025 (the Golf, Polo, A3, Fit and Prius lead), added the cars Irish buyers most often compare them with, and checked every one against current Japanese auction supply, so each car on this list is realistically available to import this month.