The Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) award has been presented annually since 1980, beginning with the Mazda Familia—better known to some as the Mazda GLC. Over the decades, Toyota and Honda have dominated the awards, securing 15 and 14 wins each. Subaru, meanwhile, has only occasionally taken the top spot, but when it does, it tends to make an impression.
Subaru’s first JCOTY win came in 2003 with the fourth-generation Legacy, a model that bids farewell this year. The second title arrived in 2016 with the fifth-generation Impreza, followed in 2020 by the second-generation Levorg (sold in some markets as the WRX Wagon). The brand can now add a fourth win to its record.
The Forester Hybrid—marketed in Japan as the Forester e-Boxer—has been named the 2024 Japan Car of the Year. The award recognises the crossover’s balance of performance, everyday usability, efficiency, and safety. In Japan, the Forester e-Boxer is also competitively priced, ranging from ¥4,202,000 to ¥4,598,000 (around RM131,000 and RM144,000).
JCOTY judges highlighted the model’s broad capabilities, describing it as an SUV that successfully blends driving performance, practicality, comfort, and off-road ability with the high safety standards Subaru prioritises. The introduction of Subaru’s Strong Hybrid (S:HEV) system was noted as an important step forward, evolving the brand’s trademark horizontally opposed engine into a more efficient setup without sacrificing the brand’s familiar driving character.
Advanced safety systems, including EyeSight X driver assistance features and pedestrian-focused airbag protection, also contributed to the Forester’s strong score.
The Honda Prelude, which has already gained significant attention in its domestic market, finished in second place. Third place went to the Toyota Crown Estate. The redesigned Nissan Leaf secured fourth, while the Volkswagen ID.Buzz completed the top five.
The remaining finalists were also diverse. The Hyundai Inster placed sixth, followed by the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe in seventh. Eighth position went to the Peugeot 3008, while the Suzuki e-Vitara and Daihatsu Move rounded out the top ten.
Closer to home, TC Subaru Sdn Bhd has officially introduced the all-new Subaru Forester 2.5 in Malaysia. Powering the Forester 2.5 is a new 2.5-litre FB25 Boxer engine that puts out 185PS and 247Nm of torque, paired with the upgraded TR58 Lineartronic gearbox. The all-new Subaru Forester 2.5i-S EyeSight, part of the Japan Premium Line, is priced from RM221,500.
Subaru Forester 2.5 in Malaysia
