Trump’s Tariffs: How Much 8 Popular Japanese Cars Have Increased or Decreased in Price Since April

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If you’ve been shopping for a new Toyota, Honda or Nissan, you may notice higher prices at the dealership.

In April, the Trump administration said it was going to impose a 25% tariff on Japanese-made vehicles, per Reuters. After months of negotiations, the White House announced a September trade deal that lowered the rate to 15%, but import costs are still climbing.

While individual price changes haven’t been released, Kelley Blue Book (KBB) and Edmunds report that tariffs are making imported cars more expensive and less affordable for buyers.

Here are four cars most exposed to the new tariffs — and four that are safer buys.

How the New Tariffs Are Affecting Buyers

KBB estimated that tariffs could raise prices by as much as $6,000 on vehicles priced under $40,000. That’s before higher taxes, financing and insurance costs are factored in.

According to GearJunkie, for some automakers, even the lower 15% tariff represents more than their entire profit margin, meaning the extra cost will likely reach consumers.

Cars assembled in Japan face the steepest hikes, while models built in the U.S. or Mexico may see smaller increases.

Why Some Cars Are Hit Harder Than Others

While vehicles assembled in the United States are less exposed to import tariffs, KBB pointed out that no car is built entirely from domestic parts, even Tesla sources materials from abroad.

That means tariffs could still raise overall car costs, though the timing and size of those increases remain unclear. For now, models built mostly in North America are expected to feel the smallest impact.

Most-Impacted Models

Toyota 4Runner

• Starting price: $40,770

Built in Tahara, Japan, the 2025 4Runner is among Toyota’s most imported SUVs and faces the full 15% tariff, according to GearJunkie. Buyers could see higher MSRPs later in 2026 as import costs ripple through new inventory. Starts around $40,770, per Toyota.

Toyota Land Cruiser

• Starting price: $57,200

Built in Tahara, Japan, the 2025 Land Cruiser is fully subject to the new tariff, according to Edmunds. GearJunkie reported that automakers may have to absorb more than their profit margins, meaning prices could climb once shipments reach U.S. lots. Toyota lists this car as starting at $57,200.

Subaru Forester

• Starting price: $29,995

Starting near $30,000, per Subaru, the 2025 Forester is one of Subaru’s core imports, being built in Japan. With the 15% tariff, price increases are likely on incoming 2026 models, especially for trims shipped directly from Japan, according to GearJunkie.

Mazda CX-5

Starting price: $29,050

Mazda builds the CX-5 in Hiroshima, Japan, making it vulnerable to the new import tax, according to Edmunds. Dealers may see constrained supply or slightly higher prices on future deliveries. Per Mazda, the 2025 CX-5 starts around $29,050.

Least-Affected Models

Toyota Camry

Starting price: $28,700

Primarily manufactured in Georgetown, Kentucky, the 2025 Camry avoids most tariff exposure, according to Tracy Toyota. U.S.-assembled trims should hold steady in price, though hybrid models using imported parts could edge slightly higher. Starts at $28,700, per Toyota.

Honda CR-V

• Starting price: $30,100

The 2025 CR-V starts around $30,100 (per Honda) and is assembled in Indiana and Ontario, keeping most versions safe from new import costs. Shoppers should see only minimal changes unless demand surges or supply tightens.

Toyota Corolla

• Starting price: $23,825

The 2025 Corolla is assembled in Mississippi, meaning most models sold in the U.S. are built in North America rather than imported. Because of this, Corolla trims are less exposed to the 15% import tariff on Japanese-built vehicles, making them a relatively stable choice for buyers watching price increases. Toyota shows the Corolla starting at $23,825.

Toyota Corolla Cross

• Starting price: $24,035

Like the Corolla sedan, the 2025 Corolla Cross is assembled in the U.S. (in Alabama), which shelters it from most of the 15% tariff applied to fully imported Japanese vehicles. This assembly footprint helps keep pricing more predictable compared with models imported from Japan. Starts near $24,035, per Toyota.

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