Honda Freed minivan wins Japan Car of the Year

The Honda Freed has won the 2024-2025 Japan Car of the Year award, beating out the Mazda CX-80 for top spot by 220 votes to 196.

Celebrating its 45^th year, the ceremony took place at Bosch's new Japan headquarters in Centre Kita, Yokohama City. Some 59 jurors, consisting of representatives from 41 of Japan's most influential automotive and lifestyle publications as well as car industry executives, gathered to witness the vote-counting and prize-giving ceremony.

Third-placed BMW took home the Japan Import Car of the Year trophy thanks to the Mini Cooper, while the Mitsubishi Triton pickup truck was a surprise winner in the Design Award, narrowly beating out the BYD Seal sedan.

In addition, the Honda CR-V e:FCEV snagged the Technology Award for its hydrogen-powered fuel cell development, while the Japan COTY steering committee's Special award went to Mazda's e-Skyactiv R-EV rotary technology.