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The letter J punches well above its weight in the automotive world. From the most iconic off-road brand ever created to one of the most beloved luxury marques in British history, the J category contains vehicles that have defined entire segments, changed what buyers expected, and in some cases, created entirely new categories that did not exist before. 

Jeep invented the genre of the civilian off-road SUV. Jaguar rewrote the British luxury car story across nine decades. Jensen pushed the boundaries of the Anglo-American sports car at a time when that combination seemed unlikely. 

JAC is now building the electric vehicles that will define Chinese automotive exports for the next decade. And a handful of fascinating, lesser-known names — Jowett, Joss, Jinbei, JBA, Jordan, Jetour, Jiotto — fill in the picture of a letter that contains more automotive history and more current ambition than most people realize.

This guide covers every significant J brand globally, from the giants to the forgotten, from the historically significant to the currently relevant, with the context that transforms a list of names into a genuine portrait of the automotive world.

All Car Brands That Start With J — The Complete Global List

1. Jaguar

Jaguar is one of the most historically significant luxury car brands in the world, and its founding story is genuinely unusual. William Lyons and William Walmsley founded the Swallow Sidecar Company in 1922 in Blackpool, England — making motorcycle sidecars, not cars. By 1935, the company had evolved into automobile production and the Jaguar name was first used as a model name. After World War II, the Jaguar name replaced the SS brand entirely — the SS initials having become problematic associations with the Nazi Schutzstaffel — and the company renamed itself Jaguar Cars Limited.

• Founded: 1922 (as Swallow Sidecar Company); Jaguar name adopted post-World War II
• Country: United Kingdom
• Current Owner: Tata Motors (acquired from Ford Motor Company in 2008)
• Current Status: Active — undergoing major brand transformation in 2026
• Known For: Luxury sedans, sports cars, GT vehicles, XJ, E-Type, F-Type, F-Pace
• Notable Fact: The 1961 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Roadster was described by Enzo Ferrari as the most beautiful car ever made — arguably the most famous compliment in automotive history
• Current Transition: In 2026, Jaguar is in the middle of a dramatic brand relaunch as an all-electric luxury brand, discontinuing its existing model range to completely reposition at the ultra-premium level with design language entirely unlike anything it produced before
• Iconic Models: E-Type, XE, XF, XJ, F-Type, F-Pace, I-Pace, E-Pace
• Logo: The leaping jaguar — one of the most recognizable animal logos in the automotive world

Jaguar’s decision to go entirely electric and target the ultra-luxury bracket above Porsche and below Bentley is one of the most audacious brand repositioning strategies in automotive history. Whether it succeeds will determine whether the name survives into the next generation of luxury motoring or becomes a historical footnote.

2. Jeep

Jeep has a legitimate claim to being the most influential single automotive nameplate in history. The original Willys MB jeep, produced for the American military during World War II, created the blueprint for every four-wheel-drive utility vehicle that followed. When civilian versions became available after the war, Jeep became the first mass-market off-road vehicle brand in the world — a category it invented and has never fully relinquished to any competitor.

• Founded: 1943 (civilian division); military roots trace to 1940 Bantam BRC prototype
• Country: United States
• Current Owner: Stellantis (through the Chrysler acquisition line — Willys-Overland to Kaiser to AMC to Chrysler to FCA to Stellantis)
• Current Status: Active — one of Stellantis’s most globally profitable brands
• Known For: Off-road vehicles, four-wheel drive, removable tops and doors, rugged capability
• Notable Fact: The Jeep Wrangler is the only production vehicle in the world that still comes standard with removable doors and a folding windshield
• Current Lineup (2026): Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, Compass, Renegade, Avenger (Europe), Recon (new)
• 4xe Electrification: Jeep has been actively developing plug-in hybrid versions of its most popular models including the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe
• Iconic Grille: Seven-slot front grille — a Jeep trademark so protected that the company has actively litigated against imitators
• Historical Impact: The Willys MB jeep served in every theater of World War II and was credited by General Eisenhower as one of the three most decisive weapons of the war alongside the bazooka and the atomic bomb

Jeep’s global success in 2026 is built on a paradox: a brand that originated in military utility now primarily sells vehicles to suburban families who rarely use their off-road capability. The Wrangler is the one model that maintains the brand’s original character, and its continued success is the gravitational center around which every other Jeep product orbits.

3. JAC Motors

JAC Motors — formally Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd — is one of China’s significant mid-tier automotive manufacturers, and its current trajectory makes it one of the more interesting J brands in the world right now. Founded in Hefei, Anhui Province in 1964 as a parts supplier, JAC has evolved into a manufacturer producing passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and an increasingly serious range of electric vehicles. In September 1999, the company was formally reorganized as the Anhui Jianghuai Automobile Co., Ltd that it is today.

• Founded: 1964 (as a parts supplier); reconstituted 1999
• Country: China (headquartered in Hefei, Anhui Province)
• Current Owner: State-owned enterprise; Volkswagen Group has a 50% stake in the JAC-Volkswagen joint venture
• Current Status: Active and expanding, particularly in the EV segment
• Known For: Passenger cars, electric vehicles, commercial vans, trucks, SUVs
• Notable Fact: JAC’s partnership with Volkswagen Group — specifically the JAC-Volkswagen joint venture — produces Volkswagen-branded EVs for the Chinese market under a dedicated EV brand called SAIC-VW and JAC-VW
• Electric Focus: JAC is particularly active in the electric vehicle space in 2026, with its EV lineup representing a significant portion of its current production volume
• Export Markets: JAC vehicles are sold in Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa with growing presence in European markets through commercial vehicle segments
• Models Include: JAC J7, Refine S7, Sei 7, iEV range, Yiwei S4

JAC’s relationship with Volkswagen Group is strategically significant for both parties — JAC gains access to German engineering expertise and quality standards, while Volkswagen gains a manufacturing and distribution foothold for its Chinese EV strategy.

4. Jensen Motors 

Jensen Motors is one of the most fascinating chapters in British automotive history — a company that bridged the gap between artisan coach-building and proper production car manufacturing, produced some of the most beautiful Anglo-American sports cars of the 1960s and 1970s, and ultimately collapsed in the mid-1970s before being partially revived decades later. The Jensen brothers — Richard and Alan — founded the company in West Bromwich in 1934, initially as a coachbuilder producing bespoke bodies on other manufacturers’ chassis.

• Founded: 1934 in West Bromwich, West Midlands, England
• Country: United Kingdom
• Current Status: The original company closed in 1976; Jensen International Automotive was founded in 2010 to restore and revive the Jensen Interceptor
• Known For: Jensen Interceptor, Jensen FF, Jensen Healey, Anglo-American sports cars
• Notable Fact: The Jensen FF, introduced in 1966, was the first production car in the world to combine four-wheel drive with anti-lock brakes — a combination that would not become mainstream for another twenty years
• The Jensen Interceptor: A grand touring car powered by a Chrysler V8 engine in a body designed by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan — perhaps the most glamorous Anglo-American hybrid vehicle ever built
• Jensen FF Significance: The FF used Ferguson Formula four-wheel drive technology at a time when no other production car offered this capability; it was ahead of its time by two decades
• Revival: Jensen International Automotive’s work focuses on completely restoring previously produced cars rather than manufacturing new ones, preserving the original vehicles for collectors

Jensen’s story is one of the most poignant in British automotive history — a genuinely innovative company that was killed by the oil crisis, industrial disputes, and the broader collapse of the British manufacturing sector in the 1970s.

5. Jowett

Jowett is one of the most historically interesting small British car manufacturers, producing vehicles in Bradford, Yorkshire from 1910 to 1954 — a remarkably long run for an independent manufacturer in an era when consolidation was constant. Benjamin and William Jowett founded the company and built their reputation on light, efficient cars with horizontally opposed engines — a layout they pioneered in British production cars.

• Founded: 1910 in Bradford, Yorkshire
• Country: United Kingdom
• Closed: 1954
• Known For: Horizontal flat-twin and flat-four engines, the Jowett Javelin, the Jowett Jupiter
• The Jowett Javelin: Introduced in 1947, the Javelin was technically advanced for its time with a flat-four engine, torsion bar suspension, and a genuinely aerodynamic body at a time when most British cars still looked prewar
• The Jowett Jupiter: A small two-seat sports car based on the Javelin’s running gear that competed in class at Le Mans in 1950, 1951, and 1952, winning its class in 1950 and finishing 1-2-3 in class in 1951
• Historical Significance: Jowett demonstrates that genuine engineering innovation was present in small British manufacturers long before the major mergers of the 1960s
• Why It Closed: International Harvester purchased the factory in Bradford, ending Jowett’s access to its manufacturing base.

6. JMC — Jiangling Motors Corporation

Jiangling Motors Corporation, known universally in the industry as JMC, is a Chinese automobile manufacturer that occupies an interesting structural position: it has been significantly shaped by its long-running joint venture with Ford Motor Company, which holds a 32% stake in the company. Founded in 1952 as a truck repair shop in Nanchang — the Nanchang Motors Repair Factory — it was formally reconstituted as a joint stock company in 1993 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange the same year.

• Founded: 1952 (as Nanchang Motors Repair Factory); reconstituted as JMC 1993
• Country: China (headquartered in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province)
• Major Shareholders: Nanchang Jiangling Investment Co., Ltd. (41.03%); Ford Motor Company (32%)
• Current Status: Active — producing commercial vehicles, pickups, vans, and SUVs
• Known For: Commercial vehicles, light trucks, vans, Transit-based vehicles, SUVs under JMC Yusheng sub-brand
• Ford Connection: JMC produces Ford-branded vehicles for the Chinese market including Transit-based commercial vehicles; the December 2021 Shanghai joint venture with Ford — Jiangling Ford Motor Technology — focuses on passenger car production with JMC holding 51% and Ford 49%
• Production: 281,594 vehicles produced in 2022
• Models Include: JMC Teshun van, JMC Baodian pickup, JMC Yunba commercial van, Yusheng S350 SUV
• Sub-brands: JMC Yusheng (SUVs and crossovers, established 2010); JMC New Energy (EV division)

JMC’s Ford partnership makes it one of the more unusual Chinese automakers — it has absorbed significant engineering and quality management influence from Ford while remaining primarily a commercial vehicle specialist.

7. Jinbei

Jinbei is a Chinese automotive brand primarily known for light commercial vehicles and passenger vans, operating as a subsidiary of Brilliance Auto. The brand is not widely known outside of China and Southeast Asia, but within its home market it represents a significant player in the van and light commercial segment that serves the commercial transportation backbone of the Chinese economy.

• Founded: 1991
• Country: China
• Parent Company: Brilliance Auto Group
• Current Status: Active — focused on commercial vehicles and passenger vans
• Known For: Light commercial vehicles, passenger vans, taxis, shuttle vehicles
• Primary Markets: China, Southeast Asia, select Middle Eastern markets
• Notable: Jinbei vehicles are widely used as taxi and shuttle vehicles across Chinese cities, giving the brand extraordinary visibility in its home market despite limited international recognition
• Models Include: Jinbei Haise van, Jinbei Granse MPV, Jinbei S30

8. Jetour

Jetour is one of the more interesting emerging Chinese brands in 2026 — a sub-brand of Chery Automobile that has gained international traction faster than most observers expected. Established in 2018, Jetour focuses primarily on SUVs and crossovers and has developed a design language that is genuinely distinctive in a market segment that often produces interchangeable vehicles. The Jetour T2 won the 2026 South African Car of the Year — the first Chinese manufacturer to win that award — which represents a significant credentialing moment for the brand internationally.

• Founded: 2018
• Country: China
• Parent Company: Chery Automobile
• Current Status: Active and expanding internationally — South Africa, Middle East, Southeast Asia, Latin America
• Known For: SUVs and crossovers with boxy, rugged-influenced styling
• 2026 South African Car of the Year: Jetour T2 — first Chinese manufacturer to win this award
• Models Include: Jetour X70, X90, T1, T2, Dashing, Shanhai sub-brand for PHEVs
• Shanhai Sub-brand: Dedicated plug-in hybrid lineup with the Shanhai L9 and Shanhai T2 as flagship models
• Engine Options (T2): 1.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engines; plug-in hybrid variants available
• Notable T2 Specs: Ground clearance 220mm, approach angle 28 degrees, departure angle 30 degrees, wading depth 700mm — genuine mild off-road credentials
• Global Ambition: Active expansion into European, African, and South American markets with dedicated right-hand-drive products for UK and Australia

Jetour’s T2 winning South African Car of the Year in 2026 is more significant than a regional award. It signals that Chinese automotive quality and design has crossed a threshold that international markets with genuinely critical juries are now recognizing.

9. JBA Motors

JBA Motors is a small British specialist car manufacturer with a history that spans four decades and includes some of the most characterful kit and low-volume sports cars produced in Britain. Established in 1979 by Kenneth Glyn Jones, John Barlow, and David George Ashley — the JBA initials derived from their surnames — the company was initially focused on rebuilding pre-World War II British premium vehicles before pivoting to producing its own sports car designs.

• Founded: 1979 in Norfolk, England
• Country: United Kingdom
• Current Status: Operating under changed ownership since 2006
• Known For: Small-volume sports cars, kit cars, British specialist manufacturing
• Notable Models: JBA Falcon Roadster (1982), JBA Sports SRi (Ford Sierra-based two-seater), JBA Javelin (1985), JBA Falcon TSR (1994)
• The Falcon Roadster: JBA’s first model, introduced in 1982; a small open two-seater sports car that established the brand’s identity
• Production Scale: Always a very low-volume manufacturer — JBA cars are enthusiast collector items rather than mainstream products
• Historical Note: The JBA Sports SRi was built around the Ford Sierra design — using the Sierra’s mechanical components in a completely reimagined body, a common approach for small British specialist manufacturers

10. Jordan Motor Car Company

The Jordan Motor Car Company is one of the most fascinating chapters in early American automotive history — not because of the cars themselves, which were built from other manufacturers’ components, but because of the advertising strategy that its founder Ned Jordan pioneered and that fundamentally changed how cars were sold in America.

• Founded: 1916 in Cleveland, Ohio
• Closed: 1931
• Country: United States
• Known For: Early luxury touring cars, revolutionary advertising copy, aspirational automotive marketing
• Notable Fact: Jordan’s 1923 advertisement “Somewhere West of Laramie” is one of the most famous pieces of advertising copy in American history — it sold the idea of a car lifestyle rather than the mechanical specifications of the vehicle, predating the approach that would become standard in automotive advertising for the following century
• The Playboy: Jordan’s most famous model, a light touring car aimed at young, affluent Americans — the name would later become famous for completely unrelated reasons
• Historical Significance: Jordan demonstrated that aspirational lifestyle marketing could sell cars more effectively than technical specification lists — a lesson the entire automotive industry adopted and has never abandoned

11. Jiotto Caspita

Jiotto Caspita is one of the rarest and most obscure Japanese automotive brands — a company that produced exactly one model, in extremely limited numbers, before closing. Founded in 1988 by Minoru Hayashi, the company operated until 1998 and is known for producing the Jiotto Caspita sports car, a mid-engine two-seater with supercar-level ambitions that never reached volume production.

• Founded: 1988
• Country: Japan
• Closed: 1998
• Known For: Jiotto Caspita sports car — mid-engine, supercar-positioned
• Production Volume: Extremely limited — the car never entered proper production
• Status: Historical footnote in Japanese automotive history

12. Jösse Car 

Jösse Car was a small Swedish automobile manufacturer that operated from 1994 to 2000. The company is primarily known for producing the Jösse Car Indigo — a sporty convertible designed by Swedish designer Peter Formall and powered by a Volvo engine. Like many small European specialist manufacturers of the 1990s, Jösse faced the challenge of competing in a market where even much larger manufacturers struggled to achieve profitability.

• Founded: 1994 in Sweden
• Closed: 2000
• Country: Sweden
• Known For: Jösse Car Indigo convertible
• Engine Supplier: Volvo
• Status: Defunct

13. Javan Sports Cars

Javan Sports Cars Limited has an unusual founding history — the company began in 2002 as Two-Thirds Limited, based in Clifton, Bristol, before being renamed Javan in 2005. The company produces sports cars and kit cars for the British enthusiast market, with its Javan R1 — an open-top racing speedster based on the Strathcarron Sports Cars platform — as its founding model.

• Founded: 2002 (as Two-Thirds Limited); renamed Javan 2005
• Country: United Kingdom
• Current Status: Small-scale specialist operation
• Known For: Javan R1 open-top sports car (4 examples produced)
• Base Vehicle: Development of the Strathcarron Sports Cars platform
• Production Scale: Extremely limited — primarily a custom and kit car operation

What Makes J Brands Distinctive — A Global Analysis

Looking across the full list of car brands that start with J, several patterns emerge that are not visible when you look at any single brand in isolation. These patterns reveal something genuinely interesting about what the letter J represents in the global automotive landscape.

The first pattern is geographic concentration at the extremes. The most globally influential J brands are either British — Jaguar, Jensen, Jowett, JBA — or Chinese — JAC, JMC, Jinbei, Jetour. The Americans provided the most culturally iconic brand (Jeep) and one of history’s most interesting dead brands (Jordan). Japan contributed one genuinely significant player (Jiotto, briefly) in sports car territory. Sweden offered one short-lived specialist. This distribution tells a story about automotive culture: British manufacturers have historically punched above their weight in luxury, sports, and specialist categories; Chinese manufacturers are now building the volume and emerging brand narratives; and America produced the one J brand with genuinely global cultural penetration.

The second pattern is the survival rate. Many J brands are historical rather than current — Jordan, Jowett, Jensen, Jiotto, Jösse, and Javan either closed or exist in such limited form that they function more as heritage brands than active manufacturers. The brands that are actively growing in 2026 are primarily Chinese — JAC, JMC, Jinbei, and Jetour — all building on the extraordinary scale of the Chinese domestic automotive market and increasingly aggressive export strategies.

The third pattern is the quality range. The J category spans from Jaguar — one of the most aspirational luxury brands in the world — to Jinbei, which makes commercial vans primarily for the Chinese domestic market. That range within a single letter category reflects the broad diversity of the global automotive industry itself: luxury coexists with utility, heritage coexists with emerging ambition, and the most iconic name in off-road vehicles shares an alphabetical address with some of the most obscure specialist manufacturers in automotive history.

Popular Car Models That Start With J — Current And Historic

The letter J turns out to be one of the more eclectic naming choices across the auto industry once you stop filtering by brand and start looking at model names themselves. Jaguar happens to share its first letter with several of its own cars, but the more interesting picture emerges when Volkswagen, Nissan, Suzuki, Dodge, and Honda are added into the mix — brands that have never had anything to do with Jaguar but have, at various points, decided a J-name was exactly right for a hatchback, a crossover, or a minivan. What follows covers the most notable car models beginning with J, regardless of which manufacturer builds them.

1. Volkswagen Jetta (1979–Present, Current Generation 2019–Present, 2026 Refresh)

The Volkswagen Jetta is one of the longest-running nameplates in Volkswagen’s North American lineup, and the 2026 model continues the formula that has made it a default recommendation in the compact sedan segment for decades: a comfortable ride, a roomy back seat and trunk, and an engine tuned more for relaxed efficiency than outright excitement. The 2026 refresh carries over the styling, wheels, and redesigned dashboard introduced for 2025, with an all-new premium audio system added.

Starting Price (2026): $25,270 MSRP Engine: 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Transmission: 8-speed automatic (all gas trims) Fuel Economy: Approximately 29 city / 40 highway mpg Trim Levels: Four gas trims for 2026

Key Features:

• Standard rear-seat pretensioners (new for 2026)
• Wireless App-Connect standard across the lineup
• SE trim and above include a sunroof as standard
• SEL trim features an 8-speaker premium Volkswagen audio system
• Suspension tuned toward comfort, smoothing broken pavement and expansion joints
• Notably generous rear legroom and trunk space for the compact segment
• Wide trunk opening with fold-down rear seatbacks for added cargo flexibility

2. Nissan Juke (2010–Present, Current Generation 2019–Present)

The original Nissan Juke was a genuine trailblazer — one of the first vehicles to put a high-riding, SUV-like stance into a small hatchback footprint, a formula that has since been copied by nearly every mainstream manufacturer. The second-generation Juke, on sale since 2019, addressed many of the original’s most common criticisms with a smarter interior, a larger boot, and improved engine options, though reviewers still note that rivals like the Ford Puma and Volkswagen T-Roc edge it out in certain areas.

Starting Price (UK market): Entry-level Acenta Premium trim Engine: Turbocharged petrol, available with manual or automatic transmissions Trim Levels: Acenta Premium, N-Connecta, Tekna, Tekna+, N-Sport

Key Features:

• Even the entry-level Acenta Premium trim now includes 17-inch alloy wheels, air-conditioning, and cruise control
• N-Connecta adds climate control, automatic wipers, ambient lighting, auto-dimming mirror, and rear privacy glass
• Tekna trim adds 19-inch wheels, heated seats, heated steering wheel, part faux-leather upholstery, and a heated windscreen
• N-Sport features sportier exterior styling and upgraded interior materials at the top of the range
• Compact, high-riding stance that helped define the small SUV/crossover segment

3. Suzuki Jimny (1970–Present, Current Generation 2018–Present)

The Suzuki Jimny is one of the purest expressions of off-road simplicity still sold new anywhere in the world — a genuinely capable 4×4 built around a compact ladder-frame chassis, sold in international markets including India through Maruti Suzuki. For 2026, the Jimny lineup includes both the long-running SUV body style and an emerging pickup variant aimed at adventure and lifestyle buyers.

Starting Price (2026 Jimny, India – Maruti Suzuki): ₹12.32 lakh (Zeta base variant) to ₹14.29 lakh (Alpha top variant) Engine: 1.5-liter naturally aspirated petrol; 105 PS / 134 Nm torque Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic (torque converter) Dimensions: 3,985mm length / 1,645mm width / 1,720mm height Tyre Size: 195/80 R15 across the range

2026 Suzuki Jimny Pickup (Select International Markets):

• Starting Price: Approximately $30,000
• Engine Options: 1.5L 4-cylinder petrol; 1.4L Boosterjet mild-hybrid turbo (new option); 1.5L full-hybrid (select markets)
• Power Output: 110–140 hp depending on engine
• Platform: Next-generation Suzuki Jimny ladder-frame pickup chassis

Key Features:

• Genuine ladder-frame, body-on-frame construction in a compact footprint — increasingly rare in this segment
• 5-speed manual transmission still offered alongside automatic
• Pickup variant adds a versatile cargo bed without sacrificing the SUV’s compact dimensions
• Positioned as one of the most affordable and capable small 4x4s on sale globally

4. Dodge Journey (2009–2020, Discontinued)

The Dodge Journey was a midsize crossover SUV that offered three-row seating at a price point considerably below most three-row competitors, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious families through much of the 2010s. Though discontinued after the 2020 model year in most markets, it remains common in the used market and is frequently cross-shopped against other midsize crossovers from the same era, including the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Production Years: 2009–2020 Engine (2017, V6): 3.6-liter V6, 283 hp @ 6,350 rpm / 260 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm Transmission: 6-speed shiftable automatic Drivetrain: AWD available Wheelbase: 113.8 inches Length: 192.4 inches Seating: Up to 7 passengers across three rows

Key Features:

• Three-row seating at a price point below most three-row rivals of its era
• Total legroom across three rows of 97.8 inches
• Maximum cargo volume of 67.6 cubic feet with all rows folded
• AWD availability gave it genuine all-weather usability for family buyers
• Remains a common, affordable used option for buyers needing third-row seating on a budget

5. Toyota FJ Cruiser (2007–2014, Discontinued)

The Toyota FJ Cruiser was a retro-styled midsize SUV directly inspired by the classic FJ40 Land Cruiser sold in the US from 1960 to 1984, built on the same platform and using the same basic engine as the contemporary 4Runner. First shown as a concept at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, the production version arrived in early 2006 as a 2007 model and developed a passionate following that has only grown since its discontinuation.

Production Years: 2007–2014 (US market) Engine (2014, final year): 4.0-liter V6, 260 hp @ 5,600 rpm / 271 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm Transmission: 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic Drivetrain: RWD or 4WD with low-range transfer case Base Pricing (at launch): Approximately $21,000–$23,000 Length: 183.9 inches

Key Features:

• Styling directly referencing the FJ40 — round headlights, horizontal grille, white roof, vertical windshield with three wipers
• Rear-hinged rear doors that could only open after the front doors were opened first
• Off-Road Package (added 2011) included Bilstein shocks, off-road information display, and active traction control
• 2010 model year saw power increase from 239 hp to 258 hp via variable valve timing and roller rocker arms
• Shared platform and drivetrain components with the Toyota 4Runner
• Discontinued in the US after 2014 due to declining sales, but became a sought-after collector vehicle almost immediately afterward
• Toyota continues to service existing FJ Cruisers and points owners toward the 4Runner and TRD Pro lineup as spiritual successors

6. Honda Jazz (1981–Present internationally, sold as Honda Fit in some markets)

The Honda Jazz — known as the Honda Fit in North America and several other markets — is a subcompact hatchback known for exceptional interior packaging efficiency relative to its small footprint, achieved through Honda’s “Magic Seat” rear seating system that allows multiple cargo and passenger configurations. The Jazz nameplate continues in production in international markets including Europe and Japan, typically with hybrid powertrain options on current generations.

Engine: 1.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder (hybrid variants available in current international generations) Body Style: Five-door hatchback Seating: 5 passengers

Key Features:

• “Magic Seat” rear seating system enables flat-folding and flexible cargo configurations rarely matched in the subcompact class
• Hybrid powertrain options available on current-generation models in international markets
• Long-running reputation for class-leading interior space efficiency relative to exterior dimensions
• Sold as Honda Fit in North America (discontinued for the US market after 2020) but continues under the Jazz name in other regions

7. Jensen Interceptor (1966–1976, Revived 2010)

The Jensen Interceptor is considered by many collectors and historians to be the most glamorous Anglo-American grand touring car ever produced. The concept was simple and brilliant: take a powerful American V8 engine — the Chrysler 440 cubic inch unit — and place it in a body designed by the prestigious Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Touring, manufactured in Jensen’s West Bromwich factory.

Production Period: 1966–1976 (original); 1998 revival model produced in limited numbers; Jensen International Automotive restoration program from 2010 Engine (Original): Chrysler 440 cubic inch V8, approximately 385 hp Transmission: Chrysler TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic Top Speed: Approximately 140 mph

Key Features:

• Italian coachwork by Carrozzeria Touring — wide, wraparound rear glass was a signature design element
• Available Jensen FF variant added four-wheel drive and Dunlop Maxaret anti-lock brakes — the first production car in the world to offer this combination
• Convertible (Interceptor Convertible) and fastback coupe body styles
• Grand touring character with American V8 muscle in a European luxury wrapper
• Now among the most sought-after classic cars from the British motor industry

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