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
That's japan right there folks! They're more into being pro quality regardless of which country the product is being sourced than philippines' take of being just an anti china for no reason.
ReplyDeleteAre you blind?! Haven’t you not see the news about what’s happening in the West Philippine Sea?! If I always have my car salesmen stand inside your house because I say it’s always part of my property historically, are you still going to buy from my car dealership?
DeleteIt is good that some Chinese vehicles are at par, technically, with Japanese brands. In terms of price, Chinese brands are generally much cheaper. These provide an impetus to Japanese car makers to level up not only technically but also in terms of pricing. Personally though, I am not yet ready to invest in a Chinese car but may re-evaluate this in the coming years.
ReplyDeleteHmmm... I'll just wait.
ReplyDeleteWait forever..
Delete12 years ago BYD mostly produced clones of Toyota and Lexus vehicles
ReplyDeleteNow they sell and produce high quality and value for money EVs and PHEVs
More competition will always mean great things for us consumers. I am still not convinced since they are fairly new for me, I am rooting for them. I hope they get more products out there to force other competition to step up with their products and pricing.
ReplyDeleteBYD's been in the Philippine market for almost 10 years already when you count the ones operated by SOLAR
DeleteBYD is expected to be no. 7 in terms of car sales worldwide this year. They are no. 9 in 2023. Such a meteoric rise for a car company that was just no. 49 in the world in 2019.
ReplyDeleteElon musk said- tesla is number 1 and the 2nd to 10th best are chinese cars.
ReplyDelete