Subaru Forester e-Boxer hybrid is 2025-2026 Japan Car of the Year

Forester edges out Honda Prelude for top honors

The Subaru Forester has been declared the 2025–2026 Japan Car of the Year (JCOTY), narrowly defeating the Honda Prelude in a closely fought competition held at Bosch Hall in Yokohama. Both models entered the final round as strong favorites, but Subaru ultimately pulled ahead when the final votes were tallied.

This year marks a major shift in JCOTY’s evaluation process, with organizers adopting a Formula 1–style points system for the first time. All 60 jurors were required to distribute points across the top 10 finalists, awarding 25 points to their top choice, followed by 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2, and 1 points. The change was designed to create a more balanced and transparent selection process.

Under the new system, the Forester finished with 1,149 points, ahead of the Prelude’s 1,076 points. Completing the Top 5 were the Toyota Crown (Estate) with 654 points, the Nissan Leaf with 622, and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz with 578. As the highest-ranking imported model, the ID. Buzz also secured the Japan Import Car of the Year title along with the Best Design Award.

Subaru chief engineer Katsuro Tadaki accepted the award on behalf of the company, highlighting the work behind the new-generation Forester. “We finely tuned the safety systems, packaging, handling, comfort, ride quality, and cost performance—alongside our new strong hybrid powertrain—to make the Forester best in class,” he said.

Porsche Japan also made headlines during the ceremony, earning the Technology Award of the Year for the 911 Carrera GTS and its new T-Hybrid powertrain. The system pairs a 3.6-liter boxer engine with an integrated electric motor to deliver improved response and reduced turbo lag.

Two Special Awards were presented as well—one to the Porsche Experience Center Tokyo for its contributions to regional revitalization in Kisarazu, and another to the Super Endurance Organization (STMO) for its work in carbon-neutral motorsport development and efforts to promote international exchange, including its recent NASCAR demonstration run in Japan.