25 years after creating a new segment – the modern SUV – almost overnight, the Toyota RAV4 has been voted as Japan Car of the Year 2019-2020. Announced this afternoon, the fifth generation of the popular SUV beat 9 other finalists in the annual event.
The jury this year consisted of 60 members, largely made up of motoring journalists based in Japan.
According to jury for the Japan Car of the Year (COTY), the RAV4 meets consumer needs of today as an SUV of the new era. In addition, the reasonable price of the Data Communication Module (a dedicated communication device) was commended.
“The combination of powertrains such as 3 types of AWD systems and the latest platform is both comfortable and enjoyable. The luggage space is wide and easy to use,” the jury’s statement added.
Other models which received special awards were the 7th generation BMW 3-Series, Nissan Skyline, Jeep Wrangler and Nissan DAYS/Mitsubishi eK CROSS/eK WAGON.
The Japan COTY event began in 1980 and between 1994 and 2014, non-Japanese models were in a separate category of Japan Import Car of the Year. From 2014 onwards, however, the organizers decided to stop having two categories and the first non-Japanese model to win the overall award was the Volkswagen Golf in 2014.
