It’s that time of the year when the best new models of the year are recognised and given awards. Apart from the forced suspension of activities during the COVID-19 pandemic which prevented the Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) awards being run in 2020, 2021 and 2022, the annual event has been the longest running, with 2023 being the 19th edition.
This year, besides the MCOTY judging panel evaluating the new models and casting their votes to pick winners in 13 categories, there was also a People’s Choice award for mass-market and premium models. This involved members of the public who sent in their votes in an online poll (via a smartphone), with one person allowed only one vote. They chose from a list of 25 models nominated by the judges and a team from the Malaysia Automotive Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii).
In addition to the winners, the judges also made Honourable Mentions of three vehicles that were outstanding in certain aspects, namely performance, affordability and outstanding warranty.
In total, there were 121 new vehicles nominated for the 12-person judging panel. With the government’s efforts to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), it was not surprising that there were almost 10 times the number of electrified models this year, including those with hybrid powertrains.
“The surge in electric vehicles (within our market) is a remarkable trend that deserves special mention,” said MCOTY Chairman, Yamin Vong. “No less than 29 were launched this calendar year but as only three of them were launched within the nomination window, the other models which have already been publicised will only be eligible for evaluation for the 2024 MCOTY.”
“This huge increase in the EV market is a testament to the government’s initiative to steer Malaysia towards a greener future. It is also a reflection of the competitiveness of the industry leaders that the government’s incentives were acted on right away,” he added.
Visit the Malaysia Car of the Year website to know more
Click here to view the video presentations to winners
Winners of the 19th Malaysia Car of the Year Awards
SEDAN AND HATCHBACK (33 models)
Below RM110,000
Toyota Vios 1.5G
RM111,000 – RM249,000
Honda Civic e:HEV RS Hybrid
Above RM250,000
Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG Line
ELECTRIC VEHICLES (29 models)
Below RM200,000
BYD Dolphin Premium Extended
Above RM200,000
Volvo C40 Recharge
HYBRIDS/PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (13 models)
Below RM250,000
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Above RM250,000
Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 Ultimate
CROSSOVER (30 models)
Below RM200,000
Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid
Above RM200,000
Mazda CX-8 2.2D 2WD
SUV (26 models)
Below RM300,000
Kia Sorento 2.2D AWD
Above RM300,000
Lexus RX 350 Luxury 2.4T
PICK-UP TRUCKS (10 models)
Ford Ranger 2.0 XLT Plus WildTrak
MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLE (7 models)
Kia Carnival 2.2D 11-seater
OVERALL CAR OF THE YEAR
Honda Civic e-HEV RS Hybrid
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Mass market
Perodua Axia
Premium market
BMW iX1 xDrive30 M-Sport (EV)
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
CHARGE POINT OPERATOR OF THE YEAR
Gentari Sdn Bhd
PERSON OF THE YEAR
Ahmad Hadri Haris (second from left), for his key role with the team
that drafted Malaysia’s Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint
The MCOTY team also dedicated this year’s event to the late Datuk Aishah Ahmad, President of the Malaysian Automotive Association, who always gave her support and valued the recognition for excellence in the Malaysian automotive industry.
PAST WINNERS
2019: Proton X70
2018: Peugeot 3008
2017: Honda Jazz Hybrid
2016: Honda Civic 1.5 TC
2015: Mazda2
2014: Honda City
2013 : Volkswagen Golf GTI
2012 : Ford Ranger 2.2 XLT
2011: Peugeot RCZ
2010: Volkswagen Passat
2009: Peugeot 308 Turbo
2008 : Mazda6
2007: Mitsubishi Lancer 2.0GT
2006: Honda Civic
2005: Mercedes-Benz CLS
2004 : BMW 530d
2003 : Volvo XC90
2002 : Perodua Kelisa
