Car of the Year Japan


The annual Car of the Year Japan award, also known as Japan Car of the Year, is given to newly released or redesigned vehicles released to the Japanese car buying market from November 1 of the previous year to October 31 of the current year, and each award spans two calendar years. The award has been presented since 1980. The recipient of the award for 2019 to 2020 is the Toyota RAV4.
The Volvo XC40 is the third non Japanese car to win this award. The first non Japanese car to win was the Volkswagen Golf in 2014, and the second was the Volvo XC60 in 2018. The best car from the United States was the Jeep Cherokee, eliminated in the final round 2014. The supervisory board is made up primarily of Japanese automotive journalists.
The award is not associated with the more recent Automotive Researchers' & Journalists' Conference RJC Car of the Year Award, which has been issued since 1992.

Recipients of the award

YearWinner
2019-2020BMW 3 Series
2018-2019Volvo XC40
2017-2018Volvo XC60
2016-2017Audi A4 B9
2015-2016BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
2014-2015Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2013-2014Volkswagen Golf
2012-2013BMW 3 Series
2011-2012Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2010-2011Volkswagen Polo
2009-2010Volkswagen Golf
2008-2009Citroën C5
2007-2008Mercedes-Benz C-Class
2006-2007Citroën C6
2005-2006BMW 3 Series
2004-2005Volkswagen Golf
2003-2004Jaguar XJ
2002-2003BMW 7 Series
2001-2002Alfa Romeo 147
2000-2001Mercedes-Benz C-Class
1999-2000Rover 75
1998-1999Mercedes-Benz A-Class
1997-1998Renault Mégane Scénic
1996-1997Mercedes-Benz SLK
1995-1996MG F
1994-1995Mercedes-Benz C200

Most wins by manufacturer