The Top 10 finalists for the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) have been announced. With a history spanning over 40 years, the JCOTY is considered as one of the most prestigious automotive awards in the world.
This year, 59 automotive journalists have whittled down 31 nominees to reveal the 2024-2025 10 Best Cars. With no subcategories to speak of, the selection this year is highly eclectic.
The most notable entry is the BYD Seal. The selection of the 530-horsepower EV sports sedan to this year’s list marks the first time a Chinese vehicle became a finalist for Japan’s most sought-after car award. Nonetheless, it shouldn’t come as a surprise as the Seal was a finalist in the World Car of the Year this year. Locally, the Seal was just launched last month for P 2,548,000.
Aside from the Seal, three other non-Japanese brands made it to this year’s finalists: the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, the Volvo EX30, and the Mini Cooper.
Among Japanese domestic brands, the most peculiar entry is the Mitsubishi Triton—the sole pickup truck in a sea of hatchback and SUVs. Other finalists are the Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Land Cruiser 250 / Prado, Honda Freed, Mazda CX-80, and the Lexus LBX.
Testing of the Top 10 cars will be done later this month at the Sodegaura Forest Raceway, while the final voting will be done in early December.
Japan’s Top 10 Best Cars 2024-2025 (in alphabetical order):
- BYD Seal
- Honda Freed
- Hyundai Ioniq 5 N
- Lexus LBX
- Mazda CX-80
- Mini Cooper
- Mitsubishi Triton
- Suzuki Fronx
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado / 250
- Volvo EX30
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