Ukraine’s landscape is changing, and so is the vehicle demand. Japanese vehicles have long been the kings of long-lasting vehicles, and it is no different in Ukraine. The ongoing war has driven up fuel prices, so drivers are now prioritising fuel economy.
This shift towards EVs and hybrids is driving up demand for Japanese used cars in Ukraine. From businessmen to families, all prefer Japanese vehicles for their daily commute. This blog presents a list of Japanese car brands that are currently the most popular in Ukraine’s market.
1. Toyota RAV4
The Toyota RAV4 is one of the most popular Japanese vehicles in Ukraine and for all the right reasons. For years, people in Ukraine have trusted Toyota for producing the most affordable and long-lasting vehicles. Ever since the Toyota RAV4 entered the market with its hybrid variant, Ukrainians have been overjoyed. UNN claims that the Toyota RAV4 topped the ranking of the most popular hybrids in Ukraine in August 2025. Ukrainians really value what the Toyota RAV4 has to offer: Power and fuel efficiency, both at the same time. Ever since the fuel prices skyrocketed in Ukraine, the demand for fuel-efficient cars has grown. Moreover, we know that Ukraine has difficult terrain with snowy roads in winter. For that, people demand a vehicle with all-wheel drive. People, especially in the cities of Kyiv and Lviv, prefer the RAV4 Hybrid AWD version. For all of these reasons, the Toyota RAV4 ranks at the top in Ukraine.
2. Mazda CX-5
The Mazda CX-5 is one of the most sought-after Japanese SUVs in Ukraine. Sources claim that there are a total of 1,738 units in Ukraine as of the previous year. Ukrainians value the Mazda CX-5 because of its off-road capability. It attracts them because they can use it for both their daily chores and long road trips. It has an all-wheel drive, which gives the car traction to withstand snowy road conditions and also uneven roads. Ukrainians generally prefer to directly import the Mazda CX-5 from Japan because Japanese Mazda has better mileage, features, and is well-maintained. For these reasons, the Mazda CX-5 has been among the most imported used Japanese cars in Ukraine. The 2025 Mazda CX-5 2.5L petrol version runs around 7.8L/100 Km. This gives the vehicle an advantage in Ukraine market due to Ukraine’s skyrocketing fuel prices.
3. Toyota Camry
Next in line, the Toyota Camry is one of the most imported used Japanese cars in Ukraine. Usually, business owners and managers prefer the Toyota Camry in Ukraine as everyone recognises it as an executive-class sedan.
Envision it as a status car that doesn't carry the luxury stamp. Regardless of being popular in Ukraine, the Camry is one of the most popular Toyota vehicles throughout the globe. Its parts are available at any corner of the world, including Ukraine. Kyiv and Lviv are among the busiest roads in Ukraine, and fuel-efficient vehicles like the Toyota Camry Hybrid really help with cutting down on running costs. Its resale value is also high in Ukraine. Of all the Camry models, the 2.5 Hybrid model is the one Ukrainians import the most.
4. Nissan Leaf
The Nissan Leaf is the most popular Japanese EV in Ukraine. Think of it this way, Ukraine has over 10,000 Leaf owners, which gives the car an edge in the country. We can easily say that it's the most highly sought electric car on Ukrainian roads. Ukrainian buyers prefer the Leaf because it has a low upfront cost and is cheap to run if you compare it to European electric cars. Ukrainians directly import the Leaf from Japan auctions or sometimes the USA. Since it is an EV, it is very common in the main cities of Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. In these busy cities, people need a vehicle that helps them save on fuel costs. Nissan Leaf remains the top EV choice as Ukraine’s network grows.
5. Mitsubishi Outlander
Mitsubishi Outlander has an outstanding number of owners in Ukraine. To be specific, there are over 1,800 Mitsubishi Outlander units in Ukraine. It is a plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, and the Ukrainian government gave over 635 Outlanders to the police as part of its initiative. So why is the Outlander so popular in Ukraine? It's because of its fuel-saving property, which cuts on its running costs, and also the fact that SUVs are the most popular type of vehicle in Ukraine. An SUV like the Mitsubishi Outlander is able to withstand Ukraine’s snowy surfaces in winter, and this is why people prefer to buy these. The model also has some of the best safety features, such as the Active Blind Spot Assist and the Rear Automatic Emergency Braking. All of these properties together are the reason why Ukrainians trust the vehicle this much.
6. Lexus ES Hybrid
When it comes to luxury vehicles in Ukraine, the Lexus ES hybrid definitely tops the charts. When people in Ukraine think of investing in a luxury vehicle, the Lexus ES Hybrid is the first that comes to mind. They prefer Japanese luxury cars over German and European ones because it's much less costly to maintain Japanese cars. Lexus ES Hybrid does have a high upfront cost, but a less running costs as its Hybrid technology means fewer trips to the gas station. On top of everything, Japanese Lexus trims have the best safety features, low mileage, and the best quality interior.
7. Honda CR-V
Honda CR-V steals all crossovers’ spotlight and consistently ranks among the top crossovers in Ukraine. Like other crossovers, the Honda CR-V has an all-wheel drive, which makes traveling on uneven surfaces convenient. Ukrainians consider it to be a good investment for their family. It also has a very strong resale value in Ukraine, as the Honda CR-V does not lose more than 47% of its value even after five years of running on Ukrainian roads. For all of these reasons, families love the Honda CR-V for their long-distance travels.
8. Nissan X Trail
Think of Japanese Crossovers, and the Nissan X Trail is definitely a name that will come to your mind. Ukrainians love it for its All Wheel Drive system and high ground clearance which enables it to withstand the tough Ukrainian snowy roads in winter.
It is a multipurpose vehicle, so people prefer it because they can use it on both off-road and paved roads. Unlike many other SUVs, the Nissan X-Trail is comparatively inexpensive but has a history of being a long-lasting SUV. Since it's long-lasting and offers impressive mileage, it has a very high resale value in Ukraine. Ukrainians import it directly from Japan, as the Japanese models have the best safety features and are low-mileage. These reasons make the Nissan X-Trail a popular choice among Ukrainian families.
9. Suzuki SX-4
The Suzuki SX-4 is a very affordable Crossover for the Ukrainian population. It is not only inexpensive, but it also lives up to the Japanese legacy for being a long-lasting and fuel-efficient vehicle. When upfront costs become a dealbreaker, people consider buying a simple, practical vehicle like the Suzuki SX-4. Suzuki SX4 sales in Ukraine rose significantly in 2020 and have been growing since then. Ukrainians can readily find this model at both used and new Japanese car markets.
10. Subaru Legacy
The Subaru Legacy has a strong hold in the Ukrainian market. The car looks very contemporary and has all the features families need for road trips. People love it as it has a good grip on all kinds of surfaces– from snowy to muddy to rocky, it can withstand it all. All thanks to its signature Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. Whether it's the busy streets of Kyiv and Lviv, or the off-road cities, the Subaru Legacy is suitable everywhere.
Final Thoughts
We see how used Japanese cars dominate the Ukrainian market and have a strong hold there. When we observe the most popular Japanese used cars in Ukraine, we see that Ukrainians prefer vehicles that have a low running cost. From EVs like the Nissan Leaf to hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius, they prefer the ones that help them save on fuel costs. How can we forget the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s off-road capability? Together, all of these vehicles dominate the Ukrainian roads.
На правах реклами
