The car hadn’t even been invented when John Venn introduced the world to the famous diagram type that bears his name in 1881. But a Venn diagram would be a perfect way to represent how even in this age of global automotive products, where often the exact same cars are sold all over the globe, different countries can be in perfect agreement over one vehicle, but diametrically opposed over others.
Take the 2024 Japan Car of The Year awards. The all-new Toyota Prius has just scooped first prize, garnering acclaim for its newfound sense of style and improved dynamics. Over in the U.S., the same car has been received equally warmly, and you’ll also find the same Prius in the three-car shortlist for the 2024 North American Car, Truck, and Utility Vehicle of The Year (NACTOY), the winner of which will be revealed on January 4, 2024. The Prius is up against the Honda Accord and Hyundai Ioniq 6 in the U.S. competition and stands a strong chance of coming away with a gold medal.
Related: 8 EVs, 9 Hybrids And No Startup Among 2024 North American Car Of The Year Award Semi Finalists
2023 – 2024 Japan Car of the Year Score Table
But some of the other vehicles on Japan’s shortlist of 10 are cars that are also available in the U.S. but didn’t get near the NACTOY list. Japan’s single category is split into cars, trucks, and SUVs. The Maserati Grecale, for instance, made it to the top 10 (just; it was 10th) on the Japan list, and the Subaru Crosstrek placed seventh, but neither got further than the initial round containing 29 SUVs in America. EVs also only have a small presence on Japan’s list, but there are five electric cars in the U.S. final nine.
And some of the vehicles Japan’s jurors were choosing a winner from would be entirely unfamiliar to American audiences. Three of the top 10 are minivans: the Toyota Alphard / Vellfire, Nissan Serena, and tiny and typically weird-looking Mitsubishi Delica Mini kei car. Minivans appear to be making a bit of a comeback around the world, but one hasn’t graced the top step of the NACTOY podium since the Chrysler Pacifica scooped first place in the newly introduced utility category in 2017, and its predecessor did the same in the car category in 1996.
By the way, in case you haven’t seen the full 2024 NACTOY shortlist, we’ve reproduced it in a table below. What do you think will win each category?