Suzuki’s new Swift has been awarded the 2025 RJC Car of the Year. Suzuki’s compact car, the Swift, has achieved a remarkable feat! It has been awarded the 2025 RJC Car of the Year. This is the fourth consecutive generation of the Swift to win the award. This honor is a result of the Swift’s long-standing appeal and the further improvements made in the new model.
In this article, we will thoroughly analyze the background of the RJC Car of the Year award and the appeal of the new Swift. We will analyze the design, driving performance, safety performance, and other aspects to find out why the Swift is so popular.
The Swift has won the RJC Car of the Year award in 2006, 2011, and 2018 , making this the fourth consecutive generation to win the award.
Overview of the 2025 RJC Car of the Year
The RJC Car of the Year is an annual automotive awards program organized by the NPO Automotive Researchers and Journalists Conference of Japan (RJC). The winners are selected by votes from RJC members from passenger cars released in Japan that year. Selection criteria are extensive. The RJC Car of the Year is a prestigious award in the automotive industry, and winning cars receive high acclaim.
The competition covers domestically produced cars announced between November 1, 2023 and October 31, 2024. The final test and public voting took place on November 13, 2024, at Twin Ring Motegi in Tochigi Prefecture.
RJC Car of the Year (Japanese car)
| Ranking | score | Car name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st place | 140 points | Suzuki Swift |
| 2nd place | 83 points | Honda Accord |
| 3rd place | 81 points | Suzuki Front |
| 4th place | 76 points | Honda WR-V |
| 5th place | 65 points | Suzuki Spacia |
| 6th place | 59 points | Honda Freed |
1st place: 140 points Suzuki Swift
Suzuki Swift
Reasons for the award
“The stylish design and sporty driving performance inherited from previous Swift models have been brushed up. The car’s fundamental performance has been enhanced with a newly developed powertrain, best-in-class aerodynamic performance, and a lightweight, highly rigid body, and the latest driver assistance systems have also been adopted, which we highly praise.”
2nd place: 83 points Honda Accord
Honda Accord
3rd place 81 points Suzuki Fronx
Suzuki Front
4th place 76 points Honda WR-V
Honda WR-V
5th place 65 points Suzuki Spacia
Spacia Custom
6th place 59 points Honda Freed
FREED AIR
RJC Import Car of the Year (Imported Car)
“It inherits the compact, go-kart feel of the MINI COOPER. With a variety of power units and two body styles, each model has a distinct character. The interior and exterior design also highlights the playful spirit of the developers, which we highly praise.”
| Ranking | score | Car name |
|---|---|---|
| 1st place | 119 points | Mini Cooper |
| 2nd place | 95 points | BYD seal |
| 3rd place | 87 points | Hyundai Ionic 5N |
| 4th place | 79 points | Fiat 600e |
| 5th place | 77 points | BMW X2 |
| 6th place | 47 points | Volvo EX30 |
RJC Technology of the Year
BYD SEAL
“The LFP blade battery uses inexpensive iron phosphate as the cathode material, reducing the risk of fire that is inherent to lithium-ion batteries. The LFP blade battery is molded into plates and densely arranged, and the cells are then mounted directly on the body using the CTB method, improving energy density and space efficiency when installed. This was highly praised for its contribution to improving EV performance.”
| Ranking | score | Technical name | Car model |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st place | 116 points | LFP blade battery and CTB body structure | BYD seal |
| 2nd place | 105 points | Z12E engine | Suzuki Swift |
| 3rd place | 77 points | Honda Sensing 360 | Honda Accord |
| 4th place | 72 points | Next-generation multi-charging system | Hyundai Ionic 5/Ionic 5N |
| 5th place | 63 points | N e-Shift & N Active Sound+ | Hyundai Ionic 5N |
| 6th place | 40 points | Safety technologies for urban areas, including Door Opening Alert | Volvo EX30 |
| 7th place | 31 points | Recycled and sustainable interior materials | Volvo EX30 |
A word from the editorial department
The new Swift is a compact car with many appealing features, including a stylish design, sporty driving performance, excellent fuel economy, and high safety. Winning the RJC Car of the Year award for four consecutive generations proves that the Swift is a timeless classic car that is loved.
The new Swift is a recommended car for those who are having trouble choosing a compact car. Be sure to take a test drive and experience its appeal for yourself.
