"Japanese cars are normally less good at NVH than European cars."
You have not driven a Lexus then.
+1
IMHO Japanese engines and gearboxes better than European and American makes, certainly manual gear changes better as well. Have heard horror stories about VW group gearboxes falling apart inside ( happened on my brother in law Golf a few years ago ).
It was certain Japanese companies ( Honda and Suzuki )
with their expertise in building lightweight and powerful motorbike engines that revolutionised car engines, reducing the weight, increasing specific power outputs and improving MPG, my brothers 2018 Suzuki Vitara with turbo direct injection petrol engine is one of the nicest most responsive engines I have driven, with great torque from 1500 revs up and great real world MPG, my brother was a diesel head but I warned him to sell his beloved Ford Kuga before diesel values crashed and he prefers the Suzuki engine.
