2025 Malaysia Car of the Year Award winners to be announced at Gala Dinner
The 2025 Malaysia Car of the Year Awards will be held on 22 January 2026 at Dewan Perdana, MITI, Kuala Lumpur.
2025 saw a vibrant year for the Malaysian car market with the presence of new players launching new models every month. The choices available to car-buyers have never been more diverse, with a growing number of electrified models (hybrid and fully electric) entering the market.
For car-buyers, choosing their first car or next car can be bewildering. This is where the Malaysia Car of the Year Awards (MCOTY) can help. Since 2002, MCOTY has provided a list of the best new models each year that can serve as a starting point for car-buyers. It is the longest running event of its type in Malaysia and is organised in collaboration with the Malaysia Automotive, Robotics & IoT Institute (MARii), a driving force under the Ministry of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI).
The winners of the 2025 Malaysia Car of the Year Awards will be announced on 22 January 2026 at a Gala Dinner at Menara MITI in Kuala Lumpur. In attendance will be Deputy Prime Minister, Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof, Dato’ Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), MARii management, as well as government officials and industry leaders.
As in 2024, there is increased focus on EVs, in line with the government’s direction towards electric mobility and the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. At the same time, ICE (internal combustion engines) vehicles still make up a dominant share of new vehicle sales. While the growth in EV sales is evident, many Malaysians still prefer ICE models at this time, so they remain as contenders in MCOTY as well.
The MCOTY judging panel is made up of senior motoring journalists with decades of experience as well as younger members of the motoring media to have a balance of outlooks. There are also women and professionals such as a lawyer and doctor to offer more diverse opinions and assessments.
“The history of MCOTY shows how the market has changed over 20 years. And as it has changed, so too has the assessment process to keep with the times. Today, we also have to look at electric powertrain efficiency and eco-friendliness, while safety is even more advanced with ADAS,” noted Yamin Vong, Founder of MCOTY.
“Each buyer may have different requirements so the list of winners can be a reference or starting point for car-buyers. We urge them to also experience for themselves the models they are interested in. Every car has merits and what we present as the winners recognise those that are most outstanding in design, innovation, performance, user experience, safety and value,” he added.
During the qualification period, there were more than 200 new models launched, and 130 were shortlisted for the 22 awards in four main categories – SUV, Crossover, Sedan, Hatchback and Pick-up trucks. The model which scored the most number of points is the overall winner.
MCOTY also includes categories that recognise various stakeholders in the auto industry and a special award for the Automotive Person of the Year.
There is also a People’s Choice Award which is given to the model which has received the most votes through a public voting exercise held in December.
