The 2025-2026 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY) has released its Top 10 finalists, and surprisingly, nearly 40% of the list are from non-Japanese brands. From a field of 35 vehicles, 60 jurors from the Japanese media have selected ten to compete for the most prestigious award.
Of the ten finalists, only six are from Japanese brands such as Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, Toyota, Nissan, and Honda. The remaining four are from BMW, Hyundai, Peugeot, and Volkswagen.
Among the most talked about is the all-new Subaru Forester. The new model uses the more rigid Subaru Global Platform, has full inner frame construction, and has wider structural adhesives. It has a full hybrid system with 197 hp, the highest since the disappearance of the turbo model. It can reach up to 1,000 km on a full tank and doesn't sacrifice all-wheel drive.
Also a notable entry is the return of the Honda Prelude, which will arrive in the Philippines by 2026. The sports coupe uses the chassis hardware of the Civic Type R, making it fast, responsive, and comfortable to drive. It has a e:HEV 2.0-liter hybrid engine with 200 hp and 315 Nm torque, along with their new S+ Shift system for simulated gearshifts.
Top 10 also includes Suzuki e-Vitara, Daihatsu Move, Toyota Crown Estate, Nissan Leaf, BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, Hyundai Inster, Peugeot 3008, and Volkswagen ID.Buzz. The winner for Japan Car of the Year 2025-2026 will be announced on December 4.
