Japanese Vs. European Cars: A Quick Comparison

European and Japanese cars each have their trademarks, unique features, and benefits. If you talk to any car enthusiast, chances are they will probably have their favorite car region and their favorite car brand.

Both Japanese and European cars consist of numerous car brands, designs, and which car to buy depends on various factors such as your personal preferences, needs, budget, and lifestyle. Here we will compare Japanese vs European cars and the key differences between the cars.

Performance

Japanese cars are renowned for their reliability and durability. This is epitomized by the Toyota Corolla, which is the most popular car in the world as it is known to last for a long time. Japanese car manufacturers invest heavily in their cars by using the highest-quality parts, which produces a very reliable and almost error-free car.

European cars, however, have a slight edge against Japanese cars in terms of performance. The best European car manufacturers such as BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz often produce some of the best-performing vehicles.

European cars are usually faster and offer better performance in terms of handling, acceleration, steering, and overall performance. If you are looking for a reliable car that requires lesser maintenance, then a Japanese car is the better option. However, if you prefer pure performance, speed, and power, then a European car is better suited.

Safety

Both European and Japanese cars feature highly in safety tests and records. However, Europe has higher safety standards as evidenced by the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) which is the industry standard in Europe and rates cars according to their safety performance.

Various European governments, the European Commission, and several automobile and consumer organizations also support the NCAP, which further boosts its credibility. While safety features do differ across different car models and some models are safer than others, the general study and consensus are that European vehicles have a sturdier design and greater build strength.

They also have shorter braking distances and are generally safer in an automobile accident compared to a Japanese car. However, the difference in safety between Japanese and European cars is often minimal and this should not be taken to discredit Japanese cars, which are often very safe and also perform well in safety rankings and crash test results.

Value

Japanese cars often have a better value for money and have a reputation for producing high-quality hybrid cars. Japanese cars are also easier and cheaper to maintain. This is because Japanese cars usually run for a much longer period compared to European cars while requiring much lesser maintenance than their European counterparts. Studies have shown that the cost of maintaining a Japanese car in comparison to a similar European car model may be up to half or a third of the cost of the European car.

This is because spare parts for Japanese cars are readily available and affordable. Japanese cars also offer better value as they are catered to the masses and designed to be affordable while ensuring that quality is not compromised. However, European cars often fare better than Japanese cars in terms of features and technology to ensure the best possible driving experience. If you are prioritizing technology and safety, then European cars generally provide a better value.