Subaru Forester crowned Japan Car of the Year, edging Prelude
Words by Kyle Cassidy
Subaru’s new Forester has won Japan’s most ‘prestigious motoring prize’, edging Honda’s revived Prelude in a closely fought Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) vote for 2025–26. The Forester secured the top honour at a ceremony inside Bosch’s new Japanese headquarters in Yokohama, while Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz claimed the Import Car of the Year and Best Design awards.
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Now in its 46th year, JCOTY brought together 60 judges and more than 40 representatives from major automotive and lifestyle publications for the final count. Dozens of industry executives were also on hand as the results were announced at Bosch Hall in Center Kita.
This year marked a major shift in how the award is decided, with organisers adopting a Formula 1-style points system. Each juror was required to rank all 10 finalists, awarding 25 points to their top pick, then 18, 15, 12 and so on down to one point for tenth place. With the ID. Buzz finishing highest among imported models, in fifth overall, it sealed the Import Car of the Year title.
Early polling showed the Forester and Prelude pulling ahead of the rest, and the final tally confirmed the pair were in a class of their own. Subaru’s SUV finished with 1149 points, ahead of Honda’s 1076. Toyota’s Crown Estate followed on 654, the Nissan Leaf on 622, and the ID. Buzz completed the top five with 578. The remaining finalists were the Hyundai Inster (477), BMW 2-Series (416), Peugeot 3008 (393), Suzuki eVitara (357), and Daihatsu Move (338).
Accepting the trophy, Forester chief engineer Katsuro Tadaki said Subaru placed heavy emphasis on tuning the SUV’s new strong-hybrid powertrain as well as refining safety systems, packaging, handling, ride comfort and value. “We aimed to make the Forester the best in class,” he said.
Porsche also enjoyed a strong night. The 911 Carrera GTS earned the Technology Award for its new T-Hybrid powertrain, which pairs a 3.6-litre boxer engine with an integrated electric motor to boost performance and reduce turbo lag. Meanwhile, Porsche’s Experience Center in Chiba received a special JCOTY committee award for its community initiatives and contribution to regional revitalisation.
A second special award went to the Super Endurance Organization (STMO) for its work advancing carbon-neutral prototype technologies and fostering international motorsport exchange, including hosting a NASCAR demonstration run in Japan.
