Not all cars at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show were concepts. Some were actually production models either launched in Japan at JMS, or already sold in the country.

Let's take a look at some of the more interesting cars that various JMS exhibitors decided to showcase at this year's show.

Toyota Crown Sport SUV - Your Lolo's car no more

Seen at the Toyota booth is the Toyota Crown Sport SUV. Echoing the vibes of the Mazda CX-30 with its red and black color mix, the Crown SUV looks more like a jacked hatchback in person with its wide fenders and stubby proportions.

The gloss black fender claddings keep the luxury feel intact. And with its large 21-inch wheels, you won't be faulted to think that this SUV is more suited for highways than off-road excursions. 

However, with its overall design, you do get obvious sporty aspirations from this Crown. This is one of the four versions of the nameplate with a Sedan, Sport, and Estate also in the lineup.

The Toyota Crown Sport SUV is 4,727 mm long, 1,880 mm wide, and 1,565 mm high. There's 2,769 mm between the axles, giving it ample inside. A 2.5-liter E-Four Parallel Hybrid powertrain churns out 234 PS, leading to all four wheels. 

Toyota Crown FCEV - A new Crown for a new age

Of course, Toyota wouldn't just let go of the Crown's heritage as a luxury sedan just like that. So, a Toyota Crown Sedan for the chauffeur-driven was also included in the reinvention of the nameplate. 

This particular Toyota Crown we saw at the Japan Mobility Show is the flagship variant that gets a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle powertrain. Similar to the fuel-cell system in the Toyota Mirai, the Crown FCEV runs on hydrogen and emits no CO2 while running. Toyota says because of this powertrain, the Crown FCEV runs really quietly while enjoying the benefits of a "fun driving experience that only FCEVs can provide."

Toyota says the system can run around 820 kilometers on a three-minute hydrogen top-up and can also run home appliances through two accessory outlets inside the vehicle rated at AC100V and 1500W.

Suzuki Hustler Hybrid - When the Jimny is too big for you

We all know you love the Suzuki Jimny, really, who doesn't? But what if Suzuki had an even smaller version of it, and it's a hybrid?

The Suzuki Hustler stood out on the Suzuki booth for being a shrunken-down Jimny clone. We have a fascination for Kei cars since they look practical and easy to drive. Really, large lumbering SUVs aren't always the answer.

It only weighs 830 kilos and is 3,395 mm long. Its diminutive 660 cc engine churns out 49 PS and 58 Nm of torque that passes through a CVT to the front wheels. Nothing groundbreaking here, but just enough to get you by with daily errands and commutes, and it does so by giving back 25 km/l in fuel efficiency.

The Suzuki Hustler has a versatile interior with tumble-down rear seats that open up an expansive cargo space at the back. So, you can take this out of town with your camping gear and enjoy the quiet outdoors.

Mitsubishi Delica Mini - Eskinita Special

When I passed by the Mitsubishi booth, there was a slew of Kei cars front and center. One model that caught my fancy was the Mitsubishi Delica Mini. 

While we're familiar with the Delica nameplate as the brand's main people mover in Japan, the Delica Mini takes its best qualities and shrinks them down in a smaller package, sliding doors included!

Because of its vertical dimensions and the availability of sliding doors, it is really easy to get in and out of the Delica Mini. This should be perfect for seniors who couldn't be bothered to bend their knees when sitting down or getting up from a car. 

And because it's so thin (really, you should see how lean this is in person), it would be ideal for the tight inner streets in the city, which cars have now made into their defacto garages. Japanese companies should seriously consider exporting Kei cars.

Mitsubishi eK X EV - All electric cuteness

The eK X EV (read as eK "cross") is the brand's electric Kei car contender. Designed in conjunction with the Nissan Sakuraa and launched in 2022, it has proven to be a popular hit in Japan. 

Imagine the Mitsubishi Xpander squeezed from the side. Yeah, that's how it looked like in person. But don't let its size fool you. The eK X can run up to 130 km/h and has a range of 180 kilometers, which is just right for the city or the average daily commute to work.

It has a 20 kWh battery pack that lets its electric motor produce 195 Nm of torque. So you can imagine how fun this would be to drive. And with its Vehicle-to-Load sockets, it can even power appliances too. 

The Mitsubishi eK X has advanced driver assistance systems too, such as Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA) functions, and because of this, it has earned a  Five Star Award, the highest rating, in the Vehicle Safety Performance 2022 car assessment by Japan New Car Assessment Program (JNCAP).

Nissan Sakura EV - All hail, the Japan co-COTY 2022

Nissan and Mitsubishi's alliance has borne good fruit. The Nissan Sakura Battery EV shares the same bits and pieces as the Mitsubishi eK X. But Nissan made it less utilitarian and more every day simple. And as the 2022 Japan Car of the Year co-winner with the Mitsubishi eK X, it is every bit fun and tech-savvy for the modern car buyer. 

Are you hoping any of these cars make it to Philippine shores?