New-look hybrid wins Japan title
Toyota’s all-new Prius has been crowned the Japan Car of the Year after judges voted it a clear winner in the annual contest.
The BMW X1 finished in second place and also took out the import car of the year title, while Honda’s ZR-V crossover claimed third place.
Jurors chose the top 10 contenders for the 2023-24 award in early November and then had the chance to test-drive the vehicles at the Sodegaura Forest Raceway near Tokyo before casting their final votes.
Satoki Oya, pictured, chief engineer for the winning Prius, says the car’s recent reinvention happened after former Toyota chief executive officer Akio Toyoda recommended the hybrid model should be retired and relegated to taxi status.
Instead, he adds product planners and engineers redesigned the exterior and rethought the powertrain to deliver increased performance and better fuel economy.
Now in its 44th year, the Japan Car of the Year awards is organised and run by representatives from 39 of the country’s most influential automotive and lifestyle publications who select the 60 jurors each year.
The results of the competition were announced during a prizegiving ceremony in Tokyo this month with other winners including the 660cc Mitsubishi Delica Mini kei-car claiming the design car of the year trophy.
Nissan’s Serena scooped the technology car of the year award for its new e-Power system that uses a three-cylinder, 1.4L hybrid engine and Pro-Pilot 2.0 driver assist system to allow hands-off driving on highways.
The Organising Committee’s Special Award was presented to the newly named Japan Mobility Show, which returned in November after a four-year hiatus and attracted more than 1.2 million visitors.
