The CarExpert crew’s favorite reveals from the Tokyo motor present

If this 12 months’s Japan Mobility Present in Tokyo confirmed us something, it’s that the Japanese automotive trade nonetheless has loads of struggle left in it.

Everyone seems to be speaking in regards to the indefatigable rise of the Chinese language automotive trade, which is placing manufacturers from Japan, Korea, Europe, the US and others on discover.

Nevertheless, Japan nonetheless has a few of the world’s hottest automotive manufacturers, and its producers don’t look like resting on their laurels.

Simply take a look at juggernaut Toyota, for instance, which is rolling out a brand new halo model to assist encourage its compatriots. It additionally has a chunky new compact off-roader, the Land Cruiser FJthat appears to the previous, and confirmed off an aggressively styled Corolla idea that appears to the longer term.

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Nissan didn’t have a lot to crow about aside from a brand new era of its well-liked domestic-market Elgrandwhereas Suzuki was arguably overshadowed by fellow small-car specialist Daihatsu.

Mazda revealed one more idea with a rotary engine (will they construct this one?) and appeared to preview a brand new entry-level automobile, whereas Mitsubishi had a good-looking quad-motor plug-in hybrid SUV idea readily available and Subaru had a duo of scorching STI ideas to indicate off.

Honda had a few new EVs, one in all which is coming to Australia, whereas Lexus shared extra on its upcoming twin-turbo V8-powered supercar whereas previewing a few attainable instructions for its next-generation LS which appears to be like set to ditch the sedan form that has lengthy outlined it.

So, a busy present! However which automobiles had been our favourites?

Alborz Fallah: Century Idea

I’ve stated it for years, but when Toyota Australia ever decides to carry its super-luxury, dependable Rolls-Royce-like Century SUV to Australia, I would be the first one to position an order.

The Century coupe idea revealed this 12 months appears to be like completely terrific – the proper mix of fashion, tremendous luxurious and highway presence.

The truth that it lacks a Rolls-Royce or Bentley badge is a bonus solely when it’s one thing with wealthy if area of interest heritage, which is strictly how I’ve at all times seen Century.

Please Toyota Australia. Individuals love high-end, low-volume automobiles right here, and this factor might be stable and bulletproof, and can in all probability price $300k, however there’s a marketplace for it and I simply need one.

MORE: Toyota exhibits Rolls-Royce-rivalling Century Idea, the ‘Satisfaction of Japan’

Marton Pettendy: Mazda Imaginative and prescient-X Coupe idea

It won’t be fairly as horny because the Iconic SP coupe idea, which employed a twin-rotor range-extender EV powertrain, however the Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe is nearly as smooth and has the added practicality of 4 doorways – and the attract of a rotary engine that really powers its wheels.

If a plug-in hybrid system is the one software wherein Mazda can resurrect its hallowed rotary engine in an emissions-focused future, a 375kW all-wheel drive sports activities sedan with rotary energy and a 160km electric-only vary might be simply positive by me.

MORE: Mazda retains the rotary alive: Twin-rotor hybrid idea alerts future sports activities revival

James Wong: Honda Tremendous-One and Century’s international enlargement

I’ll begin with the disclosure that I attended 2025 Japan Mobility Present with Honda, however I’m tremendous excited by the brand new Tremendous-One and what its Australian market affirmation represents for the model.

As somebody who has grown up with Hondas and Subarus, Japanese manufacturers that had been as soon as talked about in the identical sentence as premium marques like BMW for his or her driver enjoyment and engineering improvement, the Tremendous-One looks like a sign that Honda is returning to the corporate that all of us fell in love with.

The Tremendous-One is a threat, an announcement that Honda is as soon as once more prepared to experiment and check out new issues. In Australia, increasingly manufacturers are leaving the compact segments behind as a result of it’s ‘too arduous’ or ‘not worthwhile sufficient’, so it’s good to see that in lieu of a brand new Jazz (RIP), Honda is prepared to re-enter that smaller a part of the market with one thing completely different and thrilling. That’s an actual embodiment of what the corporate stands for.

For related causes I’ve picked Century as my second winner from the present – not simply the idea, however the ultra-luxury arm of Toyota, which introduced it would turn into a totally fledged model and department exterior of Japan and the few different markets wherein it presently competes.

Like Honda, Toyota is usually related to being ‘secure’ and never all that thrilling. However there are many fashions that Toyota doesn’t promote in Australia – specifically the Century and Crown lineups, and I’m nonetheless not giving up on the latter – which actually do spark the curiosity of fans like myself and little doubt different demographics the model might not presently attraction to.

With all of the speak of premium and luxurious Chinese language merchandise coming in to tackle the Europeans, it’s time that the Japanese obtained again into that dialog.

Lexus has accomplished a positive job by itself, however Century takes it to an entire new stage, and the diploma of opulence the Century and Century SUV supply would even make a Genesis really feel nearly pedestrian.

Welcome again Japan, we’ve missed you.

MORE: 2026 Honda Tremendous-One: Kei-class EV confirmed for Australia

Damion Smy: Century Idea

JMS was considerably of a renaissance for the Japanese trade as China flexes its manufacturing muscle.

But the final word flex? The Century. Not due to the way it appears to be like, however extra what it represents: a love letter to Akio Toyoda’s forefathers, a name to invigorate the Japanese automotive trade – and by doing that, a name to encourage the entire nation.

Traditional Toyota, pulling out a hero when its again is in opposition to the wall, however what a method to get up a nation!

MORE: Toyota exhibits Rolls-Royce-rivalling Century Idea, the ‘Satisfaction of Japan’

Sean Lander: Toyota HiAce ideas

When individuals consider a HiAce, most consider the plumber coming to repair your pipes, however Toyota has proven how far more it may be.

The idea medical van and trade-spec models on show on the present display how versatile vans actually are, and with some fairly easy expertise they’re elevated far past a mere supply or commerce automobile.

The cell medical centre, full with disabled entry chairs and large screens that can be utilized to assist educate sufferers or different drivers, can be a game-changer in a rustic like Australia, the place huge distances can restrict individuals from getting the assistance or drugs they want.

An honourable point out has the go to the Joby/Toyota flying uber. An precise plane that can perform, be fairly quiet, and have the backup redundancies that helicopters don’t? Signal me up for a type of.

Ben Zachariah: Mazda Imaginative and prescient-X Coupe idea

Whereas there have been loads of ideas and production-ready reveals to get enthusiastic about from this 12 months’s Japan Mobility Present, it was – maybe predictably – the Mazda Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe that struck a chord with my heartstrings.

However Mazda has accomplished this earlier than – twice, the truth is – displaying off smooth ideas over the previous decade with the promise of rotary powertrains, neither of which has come to fruition. Making me look slightly extra silly (or gullible) every time I write a information story in regards to the ‘RX-9’.

However I proceed to carry out hope. As a result of automotive corporations want heroes – aspirational fashions that exhibit the extremes of engineering and design.

As an adolescent, I lusted after the BMW E39 M5, and ended up getting an E34 535i. My mate liked Nissan Skylines and Silvias, and his first automotive was an N12 Pulsar ET Turbo. If you wish to promote Mazda 2 and three fashions, and hook consumers to your model, that you must give them a motive.

I do hope Mazda overcomes no matter is stopping it from greenlighting the RX-9. And when that occurs, I hope it’s as near the Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe idea as attainable, as a result of that factor is correctly cool.

MORE: Mazda plug-in hybrid rotary, metropolis automotive ideas unveiled

Josh Nevett: Toyota Corolla Idea

An entire seven years on from launch, the current-generation Corolla continues to be one of many best-looking small automobiles available on the market, but by some means Toyota has levelled up once more with its new Corolla Idea.

Put merely, this factor simply looks like the longer term, in and out. I really like the edgy exterior and sharp lighting signatures, whereas the inside is as purposeful as it’s futuristic.

Toyota says the Corolla Idea caters for a big selection of powertrains too, so it’s a intelligent idea reasonably than an summary artwork piece. As soon as upon a time you’d by no means embrace the phrases Corolla and horny in the identical sentence, however that’s not the case.

MORE: Wild Toyota Corolla Idea revealed with electrical and hybrid energy

Max Davies: Subaru Efficiency-B STI Idea

I’m certain it is a well-liked sentiment amongst followers, however I can’t assist however really feel Subaru hasn’t been the identical because it stopped promoting actual STI fashions in 2022.

Positive, the BRZ is nice, and I’ve come to understand the present WRX, however there’s nonetheless been one thing lacking. So, as an proprietor of a last-gen WRX STI, it’s inconceivable to not get excited a couple of new inner combustion STI idea, even when ‘idea’ is the operative phrase right here.

The Impreza-based automotive’s aggressive (and vaguely goofy) styling and large rear wing are hallmarks of a scorching Subaru, and we all know it comes with an STI six-speed handbook, STI’s attribute driver-controlled centre differential (DCCD), and all-wheel drive. Plus, its stout, wide-body stance is insanely cool.

What makes it much more attention-grabbing is that it appears to be like nearly production-ready. If Subaru offers its styling a slight therapeutic massage and carries by way of with all of the mechanical treats, there’s no motive it shouldn’t fulfill the ever-critical fanatics as an actual return to type.

All we are able to do is wait and hope. Within the meantime, I’ll fortunately take a look at that gorgeous Lexus Sport Idea a short time longer.

MORE: Subaru Impreza STI and electrical liftback ideas unveiled in Tokyo

William Stopford: Mazda Imaginative and prescient X-Compact idea

There have been some surprises out of Tokyo, a combination of nice and unsightly.

The Tremendous-One wasn’t the primary EV I anticipated Honda to promote right here, nevertheless it’s a cute little factor that web commenters usually name for. Let’s see if this interprets to precise gross sales right here. In Japan it’ll additionally must take care of BYD’s new Racco, which is a ballsy transfer by the Chinese language big to maneuver in on an enormous gross sales section for Japanese manufacturers of their house market.

The disagreeable surprises included the completely ghastly Lexus LS van idea, which exists both to debase the enduring LS nameplate or make the opposite LS idea, a ‘coupe’ SUV, a relatively extra palatable proposition. Additionally, it’s nice to see a child Toyota LandCruiser ultimately, however why did they solely engineer it with a dated engine that received’t meet Australian emissions requirements?

I’ve some considerations about Toyota’s plans to deal with Bentley and Rolls-Royce exterior of Japan with Century, a nameplate which may be iconic however is little recognized exterior its house market. However the coupe idea revealed on the Tokyo present is an absolute stunner.

It’s not my favorite idea of the present, although. That must be the Mazda Imaginative and prescient X-Compact, a cute little hatchback idea that seems to preview – in the end – a brand new era of one in all my favorite small automobiles, the Mazda 2.

Oh certain, the Imaginative and prescient X-Coupe idea is cool, however what number of rotary or coupe ideas have we seen from Mazda over time? If the Imaginative and prescient X-Compact previews a long-awaited substitute for the Mazda 2, then I’m positively taking note of you, Mazda.

MORE: Mazda plug-in hybrid rotary, metropolis automotive ideas unveiled