Performance wagon scoops Car of the Year Japan title

The Subaru Levorg has been crowned the 2020-2021 Car of the Year Japan after seeing off competition from nine other finalists.

The Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris took second and third spot respectively at the annual awards.

Judges praised the all-new Levorg, pictured above, for its high level of “manoeuvrability and comfort”.

“The newly developed 1.8-litre, direct-injection turbo engine, which emphasises ease of use in everyday life, has gained support for its new technology trial of lean combustion and the development attitude from the user's perspective,” they add. 

“The interior has also evolved significantly, including a large centre information display and an advanced digital cockpit consisting of a full LCD meter, and the finish is suitable for the benchmark of the 2020s.”

Subaru says the performance wagon focuses on values of “advanced safety”, “sportiness” and “wagon practicality/utility” and uses the marque’s latest technologies.

Tomomi Nakamura, president and CEO of Subaru Corporation, says: “It is a great honour that the Levorg has been recognised with this distinctive award.

“I would like to thank our customers and all other stakeholders for their continued support for Subaru.”

Other winners included the Mazda MX-30 taking the design car award, the Peugeot 208/e-208 won the best imported car category, and the kei car title was shared between the Nissan Roox, pictured below, and Mitsubishi’s eK X space and eK space.

The Car of the Year Japan awards were founded in 1980 with the aim of developing the automotive industry and helping to spread the word to consumers about the latest models and technologies. Toyota’s RAV4 took the top prize at the 2019 event.

Top 10 for the 2020-2021 Car of the Year Japan 

1. Subaru Levorg
2. Honda Fit
3. Toyota Yaris/Yaris Cross/GR Yaris
4. Peugeot 208/e-208
5. Land Rover Defender
6. Audi e-tron Sportback
7. Mazda MX-30
8. Alpina BMW ALPINA B3
9. BMW 2 Series Grand Coupe
10. Nissan Kicks