Subaru Forester Japan Car of the Year Winner Beats Prelude and Toyota Crown

Subaru has added another trophy to its cabinet, marking its fourth overall victory in the prestigious awards’ history. The Subaru Forester Japan Car of the Year winner is the Forester Hybrid, known in its home market as the Forester e-Boxer, which claimed the 2025-2026 title in a tight finish over the Honda Prelude.

Judges praised the compact crossover for its compelling blend of performance, practicality, efficiency, and safety. This win is a strong testament to the quality of the “SUBARU-esque environmental engine” and the brand’s long-running commitment to safety.

Japan-spec Subaru Forester e-Boxer — Source: Subaru

Here is a breakdown of the winning formula and the cars it defeated.

The Winning Formula: Strong Hybrid and Safety

The Car of the Year Japan committee awarded the title to the Forester on the strength of a broad set of qualities, with the debut of the Strong Hybrid (S:HEV) version being a decisive factor.

Winning Attribute	Detail	Judges’ Comments
Powertrain	Evolved Horizontally Opposed Engine (e-Boxer)	Combines fuel efficiency with driving pleasure, dubbed a “SUBARU-esque environmental engine.”
Safety	EyeSight X and Advanced Airbags	Highly praised for advanced driver assistance technologies and protection for pedestrians and cyclists.
Value	Pricing (Japan)	Excellent value, with e-Boxer prices ranging from ¥4,202,000 to ¥4,598,000 (~$27,000–$30,000).
Handling	Driving Performance & Comfort	Combines off-road capability with road usability, a core Subaru strength.

The Cars It Beat

The 2025-2026 Japan Car of the Year competition was decided by 60 expert jurors using a highly competitive Formula 1-style points system, with the Subaru narrowly surpassing its main competitor, the Honda Prelude.

Rank	Model	North American Name	Key Factor
1	Subaru Forester e-Boxer	Forester Hybrid	Strong Hybrid debut, safety, and all-rounded practicality.
2	Honda Prelude	Prelude	Much-anticipated hybrid sports compact car.
3	Toyota Crown Estate	Crown Signia	The stylish new crossover entry in the Crown luxury series.
4	Nissan Leaf	Leaf	Dramatically redesigned electric vehicle.
5	Volkswagen ID. Buzz	ID. Buzz	Secured “Import Car of the Year” and “Best Design” awards.

The victory solidifies Subaru’s position as a consistent award winner, marking its fourth JCOTY title (Legacy 2003, Impreza 2016, Levorg 2020, and now the Forester). This win underscores that Japanese automotive excellence continues to value practicality, safety, and relevant, modern assistance systems alongside electrification.

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