My Top 10 ICE-powered JDM Executive Midsize FF Sedans

The third-generation Mazda 6 will go down in history as the last JDM D-Segment front-wheel-drive saloon to be powered by internal combustion and with production ending this April, this race is now sadly extinct due to the never-ending rise of crossovers and SUVs.

The third-generation Mazda 6 is the last JDM FF
executive midsize saloon to be powered by internal combustion

As this species is set to be extinct in the springtime, it's time for me to jot down my top 10 JDM executive midsize front-wheel-drive sedans powered by internal combustion.

10) Sixth-generation Toyota Camry - At the end of 1996, the Camry Gracia was launched in sedan and estate variants. The Gracia is the luxury alternative to the Camry and it served as the replacement for both the Camry Prominent and the US-built Scepter. With the fifth-generation Camry's production ending in the summer of 1998, the Camry Gracia took its place and it was known as the sixth-generation Camry when it was facelifted in 1999. This is the last Camry to have a V6 engine offered in the Japanese market. A year later, Daihatsu sold the Toyota Camry as the Altis.

9) Suzuki Kizashi - Originally meant to be a US-exclusive model, the Suzuki Kizashi went on sale in Japan in the fall of 2009. With styling inspired by the three concepts, the Kizashi is powered by a 2.4L petrol engine producing 188PS while mated to a CVT with Manual Mode. The Kizashi is the last Suzuki sedan offered in Japan and production ended in 2015.

8) Seventh-generation Honda Accord - Launched in 2002, the seventh-generation Honda Accord features a sleeker design compared to its predecessor as well as improved dynamics. It was the first to feature Honda's Internavi Premium Club service, providing drivers the fastest route to their target destination. Powering the seventh-generation Accord is a choice of a 2.0L and 2.4L mated to a 5-speed AT. The Euro-R variant is powered by a 220PS 2.0L engine mated only with a 6-speed MT. This generation marked the last time to feature the Euro-R grade. The seventh-generation Accord was exported in Europe, in the US as the Acura TSX, and in Oceania as the Honda Accord Euro.

7) Nissan Cefiro A32 - Launched in 1994, the Nissan Cefiro A32 eschews its predecessor's FR layout in favor of a stable FF layout with comfortable driving in mind. Powering the Cefiro A32 is a choice of three VQ V6 petrol engines from 2.0L, 2.5L, to 3.5L. All are mated to either a 5-speed MT or a 4-speed AT.

6) Eighth-generation Mitsubishi Galant - Launched in late summer 1996, the eighth and final generation Mitsubishi Galant is no doubt one of the best-looking executive midsize saloons at that time with the sporty 4WD VR-4 variant the most aggressive-looking. It even spawned an Aspire twin two years later. The eighth-generation Galant is the first production car to be powered by a Gasoline Direct Injection engine for improved performance and fuel economy. It won the 1996 Japan Car of the Year award.

5) Sixth-generation Honda Accord - Launched in September 1997, the sixth-generation Honda Accord incorporates the Honda DNA through this D-segment executive midsize saloon, hence the car's slogan. Joining alongside the sixth-generation Accord is its Torneo twin and both of them are powered by a choice of 1.8L and 2.0L VTEC engines. In 2000, both the sixth-generation Accord and the Torneo received a minor change and gained the sporty Euro R variant powered by a 2.2L VTEC engine mated exclusively with a 5-speed MT.

4) Honda Inspire CP3 - Debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, the CP3 Honda Inspire is powered by a J35A 3.5L i-VTEC PGM+FI V6 engine that produces a power output of 280PS and 342NM of torque. This engine comes with Variable Cylinder Management that shuts half of its cylinders. Coupled with the 5-speed AT, it has a fuel economy of 9.9km/L based on Japan’s 10-15 Mode standards. 9.6km/L based on JC08 Mode standards. Production ended in 2012, making it the last pure V6-powered Honda saloon ever made.

3) MAZDA6 (GJ) - Launched in 2012, the third-generation Mazda6, formerly known as the Atenza, is the first Mazda saloon to be powered by the SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine mated to a six-speed SKYACTIV-MT, a first for a JDM Mazda in the SKYACTIV era. In addition, the Mazda6 is powered by a 2.0L SKYACTIV-G engine and the SKYACTIV-G 2.5T engine with Dynamic Pressure Turbo System. The Mazda6 was facelifted twice with the recent one in 2019 when Mazda decided to drop the Atenza naming in favor of the Mazda6 naming.

2) Nissan Teana J32 - Launched in 2008, the second-generation Nissan Teana is powered by a choice of a 2.5L and a 3.5L V6 engine mated to an XTRONIC CVT. Carrying over from the first-generation model, the Teana J32 comes with a signature front ottoman seat on the passenger side.

1) Nissan Teana J31 - Launched in 2003 as the replacement for the Cefiro, the Teana is Nissan's luxury premium midsize sedan that slots between the Skyline and the Cedric/Gloria sedans. While the styling is rather contemporary for a luxury sedan, the Teana's turning point is its luxurious interior which is about as cozy as the sofas and chairs you bought from the IKEA store. The Teana J31 is sold in South Korea as the Renault Samsung SM5 and SM7, and in other countries as the Renault Safrane.

It's a sad day in the world of motoring as there will be no more internal combustion-powered front-wheel-drive JDM executive midsize saloons on sale in the Land of the Rising Sun. If you want an executive midsize FF JDM saloon, you'll be going to make do with the hybrid ones. Actually, there are only two; the Lexus ES and the upcoming Honda Accord e:HEV.

Domo arigato, ICE JDM FF executive midsize sedans. They have served their purposes and now they're officially extinct because of SUVs. Although they're gone, they'll be never forgotten.