In a tight finish between the Mazda 2 and the Mercedes Benz C-Class, the Mazda 2 compact hatchback scored 423 points to win Japan’s Car of the Year by just 19 points. The C-Class finished second with 404 points.

Mazda 2 Wins Close Battle

In a tightly fought contest, the Mazda 2 claimed the maximum 10 points from 22 of the 59 jurors while the C-Class picked up 10 points from 18 jurors. Each juror is allocated 25 points, must give 10 points to their best car and spread their remaining 15 points among their next best four cars.

The BMW i3 came third with 340 points, Subaru’s Levorg finished fourth with 124 points and the Suzuki Hustler ended up in 5th with 65 points.

‘With the Mazda2, we have rewritten the rule book for compact cars. Our new Skyactiv technology, excellent mileage, reasonable pricing and unique design all contributed to our victory today,’ commented Mazda’s EVP, Kiyoshi Fujiwara.

In three minor award categories that were introduced last year year, the BMW i3 picked up the ‘Innovation Award,’ the Honda N-WGN captured the ‘Small Mobility Award’ and the ‘Special Achievement Award’ went to the Toyota for its Fuel Cell program.

We should see this Mazda2 arrive in South Africa in early 2015.