Japan Car of the Year 2019-2020 Archives

Japan Car of the Year 2020-2021 – Ten Best Cars

While most motorshows have been postponed or cancelled, events that can be held online have continued and the auto industry has in fact moved online for its launch activities. Global product launches and major announcements are now being presented using social media, which actually has a very big audience.

The Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) event has not been a public sort of event so its schedule has not really been affected and this month, assessment of the finalists takes place with the winner to be announced on December 7.

This year’s list of nominees number 33, of which 13 are from Japanese brands and the remainder from other global manufacturers. In earlier years, the JCOTY has two categories, with one for Japanese models and the other for imported brands. However, the organisers decided to merge the two categories and the first non-Japanese brand to win the JCOTY overall award was the Volkswagen Golf Mk. 7 for the 2013-2014 event. Since then, foreign models have won two more times, both being from Volvo.

From the 33 nominees, which must be new models introduced and sold in the Japanese market from November in the previous year to October 31 of the current year (in this case, 2020), ten models are chosen as the ‘Ten Best Cars’. These are considered the finalists, from which one will become the Japan Car of the Year.

The Ten Best Cars for this year are:
Audi e-tron Sportback
BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe
BMW Alpina B3
Honda Fit/Jazz
Land Rover Defender
Mazda MX-30
Nissan Kicks
Peugeot 208/e-208
Subaru Levorg
Toyota Yaris /Yaris Cross/ GR Yaris

Later this month, the judging panel will test the ten models at a racing circuit in the Chiba Prefecture. They will then cast their votes which will determine the JCOTY for 2020-2021.

PAST WINNERS
1980-1981: Mazda Familia (323)
1981-1982: Toyota Soarer
1982-1983: Mazda Capella (626)
1983-1984: Honda Civic
1984-1985: Toyota MR2
1985-1986: Honda Accord
1986-1987: Nissan Pulsar
1987-1988: Mitsubishi Galant
1988-1989: Nissan Silvia SX
1989-1990: Toyota Celsior (Lexus LS)
1990-1991: Mitsubishi Galant
1991-1992: Honda Civic
1992-1993: Nissan March
1993-1994: Honda Accord
1994-1995: Mitsubishi FTO
1995-1996: Honda Civic
1996-1997: Mitsubishi Galant
1997-1998: Toyota Prius
1998-1999: Toyota Altezza (Lexus IS250)
1999-2000: Toyota Vitz (Yaris)
2000-2001: Honda Civic
2001-2002: Honda Fit (Jazz)
2002-2003: Honda Accord
2003-2004: Subaru Legacy
2004-2005: Honda Legend
2005-2006: Mazda MX-5
2006-2007: Lexus LS460
2007-2008: Honda Fit (Jazz)
2008-2009: Toyota iQ
2009-2010: Toyota Prius
2010-2011: Honda CR-Z
2011-2012: Nissan LEAF
2012-2013: Mazda CX-5
2013-2014: Volkswagen Golf 7
2014-2015: Mazda2/Demio
2015-2016: Mazda MX5
2016-2017: Subaru Impreza
2017-2018: Volvo XC60
2018-2019: Volvo XC40
2019-2020: Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4 is 2019-2020 Japan Car of the Year

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 7^th 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.

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