Suzuki Escudo: generations, bodies and all-wheel drive
Under the name Escudo, there are very different cars in Japanese ads: an angular three-door SUV of the late eighties with a spare tire on the tailgate, a…
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Toyota Vitz: generations, engines and hybrid
In Japanese ads, this car is called Vitz, and outside of Japan, the same model was sold under the name Yaris.
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Mazda Axela: generations, engines and how to identify the version by body code
In Japanese ads, this car is called Axela, in Russia the same model is known as Mazda 3.
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Toyota Probox: how to choose a version by body code, engine and gearbox
The Probox is a Toyota working car that has been produced since the summer of 2002 and is still in the Japanese lineup.
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Types of hybrids from Japan: how to understand which installation is in the car
The word "hybrid" in the Japanese ad describes not one design, but several different ones.
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Minivans from Japan: how to choose a family car
A Japanese minivan needs to handle everyday family life: three passengers in the second row, sliding doors that open in a tight courtyard, and room for luggage without folding away half the seats.
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Suzuki Hustler: generations, body codes and engines
The Suzuki Hustler is a kei car that Suzuki has described from the very beginning as a mixture of a tall kei car and an SUV: sales of the first generation began on January 8, 2014, the second generation was released on January 20, 2020, and in May 2026 it was updated with a front end and electronics.
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Subaru Forester: generations, body codes and engines
The Subaru Forester has been sold in Japan since February 1997, and during this time six generations have changed: SF (1997-2002), SG (2002-2007), SH (2007-2012), SJ (2012-2018), SK (2018-2025) and the current SL, from April 2025.
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Mitsubishi Outlander: generations, body codes and the choice between petrol and PHEV
The Mitsubishi Outlander under this name has been sold in Japan since October 2005: the brand's first crossover in the 2001 domestic market was called Airtrek, and the first-generation lines (CU0W) in the Outlander catalog refer only to export versions from 2002 to 2009.
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Toyota Voxy: generations, body codes and engine choice
The Toyota Voxy appeared on November 16, 2001 as a twin of Noah for the Netz dealer network: the two minivans have the same technology and different appearances, the Noah was sold in the Toyota Corolla Store, the Voxy in the Netz.
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Toyota Harrier: how to choose a generation and distinguish petrol from hybrid
Toyota Harrier has been sold in Japan since December 1997, and to date, the model has four generations: XU10 (1997-2003), XU30 (2003-2013), XU60 (2013-2020) and the current, fourth, since 2020.
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Toyota Alphard: generations, engines and hybrids by body code
The Toyota Alphard has been sold in Japan since May 2002 as the brand's flagship minivan, and during this time four generations have changed: H10 (2002-2008), H20 (2008-2015), H30 (2015-2023) and the current H40, from June 2023.
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