Minivan first in Japan
The Honda Freed has been voted top model in the 45th edition of Japan Car of the Year.
The family-orientated minivan, pictured, saw off Mazda’s CX-80 in the final by 220 votes to 196 votes.
Some 59 jurors, representatives from 41 influential car and lifestyle publications, and dozens of industry executives attended the prize-giving ceremony at Bosch’s new Japan headquarters in Centre Kita, Yokohama City.
The Freed’s chief engineer, Satoru Azumi, says: “When designing it, we went back to basics and created a new standard for the minivan. It offers class-leading comfort, usability and packaging with the option of Honda’s hybrid system, and a reasonable price tag.”
In third place with 172 votes, BMW picked up its second straight import car of the year trophy for the Mini Cooper. Mitsubishi’s Triton surprised many to win the design award, just one vote of BYD’s all-electric Seal sedan.
In addition, Honda’s CR-V e:FCEV captured the technology award for its hydrogen-powered fuel-cell development. The steering committee’s special award went to Mazda’s e-Skyactiv R-EV rotary technology.
The top 10 best cars for 2024-25 were the Freed with 220 votes, CX-80 on 196, Mini Cooper with 172, Suzuki Front on 110, Lexus LBX with 70, Hyundai Ioniq 5 N on 52, Toyota Land Cruiser with 44, the Seal with 32, Volvo EX30 on 30 and Triton on 18.
