There have been a lot of neat cars that were released in the Japanese market over the last 12 months. There's the all-new Nissan Serena, the first-ever Honda ZR-V, and the radically redesigned Toyota Prius. We've seen them in the metal when we went to Japan a few months back, and we all would like to have those here in the Philippines.
So, why are we bringing this up? That's because the Japan Car of the Year panel has announced their top pick for 2023-2024. The winner is none other than the fifth-generation Toyota Prius.
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‘What? The Prius? Why?’
Before any violent reactions, the all-new Prius is a massive leap from the previous models. Sleeker, more stylish, faster, and (gasp) sportier than before, the all-new Prius is a total reimagining of the car. It no longer screams ‘eco-warrior’; it's a car that actually looks, well, cool. Even we can't believe we're saying that.
Here's what the JCOTY jury said about the 2024 Toyota Prius, translated from Japanese:
‘The Prius, which has long been a pioneer and a driving force behind hybrid vehicles, has finally broken out of its shell in its fifth generation. Now that hybrid technology has become commonplace, it no longer needs to be its symbol, but rather has made a breakthrough on its own and moved into a new phase.
The top management suggested a plan to promote commoditization, but it was the enthusiasm of the development team that overrode that idea. The aim was not only to be a clean car, but also to be a car that would be loved.
The body, which until now prioritized aerodynamic performance, has been transformed into a stylish monoform. Although the Cd value is slightly inferior to the conventional model, by reducing the front projected area, we have succeeded in keeping the CdA value to the same level as the conventional model.
The vehicle was highly praised for its lower center of gravity and longer wheelbase, which significantly improved dynamic performance. Maneuverability has transformed into the most agile and accurate Prius ever, allowing you to enjoy sports driving.’
A majority of the jury chose the Prius as their car of the year, but two other cars were frequently mentioned. More specifically, two crossovers were among the favorites of the team.
Finishing runner-up is the all-new BMW X1. The panel liked the new small Bimmer for its driving dynamics and the availability of three powertrain options. The X1 can be specified with turbo petrol, diesel, and electric via the iX1. Because of its finishing position, the X1 was also chosen as Japan Import Car of the Year 2023-2024.
Second runner-up went to the Honda ZR-V. Like the X1, the ZR-V was also praised for its sporty driving dynamics, and its Civic-derived chassis was a huge factor there. Its e:HEV full hybrid system also drew acclaim, along with practicality, performance, and fuel efficiency.
The all-new Toyota Alphard/Vellfire took home fourth, while the Nissan Serena came in fifth. In sixth place was the Mitsubishi Delica Mini and also took home the title of Japan Kei Car of the Year 2023-2024. Seventh went to the Subaru Crosstrek, while the Abarth 500e, Volkswagen ID.4, and Maserati Grecale round up the top ten.
