Cars

Tokyo Motor Show Top Picks: The CarExpert Team’s Favorite Reveals

Published

5 months ago

November 2, 2025

If this year’s Japan Mobility Show in Tokyo showed us anything, it’s that the Japanese automotive industry still has plenty of fight left in it.

Everyone is talking about the indefatigable rise of the Chinese car industry, which is putting brands from Japan, Korea, Europe, the US and others on notice.

However, Japan still has some of the world’s most popular car brands, and its manufacturers don’t appear to be resting on their laurels.

Just look at juggernaut Toyota, for example, which is rolling out a new halo brand to help inspire its compatriots. It also has a chunky new compact off-roader, the LandCruiser FJ, that looks to the past, and showed off an aggressively styled Corolla concept that looks to the future.

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Nissan didn’t have much to crow about apart from a new generation of its popular domestic-market Elgrand, while Suzuki was arguably overshadowed by fellow small-car specialist Daihatsu.

Mazda revealed yet another concept with a rotary engine (will they build this one?) and appeared to preview a new entry-level vehicle, while Mitsubishi had a handsome quad-motor plug-in hybrid SUV concept on hand and Subaru had a duo of hot STI concepts to show off.

Honda had a couple of new EVs, one of which is coming to Australia, while Lexus shared more on its upcoming twin-turbo V8-powered supercar while previewing a couple of possible directions for its next-generation LS which looks set to ditch the sedan shape that has long defined it.

So, a busy show! But which vehicles were our favourites?

Alborz Fallah: Century Concept

I have said it for years, but if Toyota Australia ever decides to bring its super-luxury, reliable Rolls-Royce-like Century SUV to Australia, I will be the first one to place an order.

The Century coupe concept revealed this year looks absolutely terrific – the perfect blend of style, super luxury and road presence.

The fact that it lacks a Rolls-Royce or Bentley badge is a bonus only when it’s something with rich if niche heritage, which is exactly how I have always seen Century.

Please Toyota Australia. People love high-end, low-volume vehicles here, and this thing will be solid and bulletproof, and will probably cost $300k, but there’s a market for it and I just want one.

MORE: Toyota shows Rolls-Royce-rivalling Century Concept, the ‘Pride of Japan’

Marton Pettendy: Mazda Vision-X Coupe concept

It might not be quite as sexy as the Iconic SP coupe concept, which employed a twin-rotor range-extender EV powertrain, but the Vision X-Coupe is almost as sleek and has the added practicality of four doors – and the allure of a rotary engine that actually powers its wheels.

If a plug-in hybrid system is the only application in which Mazda can resurrect its hallowed rotary engine in an emissions-focused future, a 375kW all-wheel drive sports sedan with rotary power and a 160km electric-only range will be just fine by me.

MORE: Mazda keeps the rotary alive: Twin-rotor hybrid concept signals future sports revival

James Wong: Honda Super-One and Century’s global expansion

I’ll start with the disclosure that I attended 2025 Japan Mobility Show with Honda, but I’m super excited by the new Super-One and what its Australian market confirmation represents for the brand.

As someone who has grown up with Hondas and Subarus, Japanese brands that were once mentioned in the same sentence as premium marques like BMW for their driver enjoyment and engineering development, the Super-One feels like a signal that Honda is returning to the company that we all fell in love with.

The Super-One is a risk, a statement that Honda is once again willing to experiment and try new things. In Australia, more and more brands are leaving the compact segments behind because it’s ‘too hard’ or ‘not profitable enough’, so it’s good to see that in lieu of a new Jazz (RIP), Honda is willing to re-enter that smaller part of the market with something different and exciting.

This truly exemplifies the core values of the company.

I have chosen Century as my second winner from the show for similar reasons – not just the concept, but also the ultra-luxury arm of Toyota. They announced their plans to expand as a fully-fledged brand outside of Japan and other markets where they currently compete.

Toyota, often associated with being ‘safe’ and unexciting, has models like the Century and Crown lineups that aren’t sold in Australia. These models spark the interest of enthusiasts and appeal to demographics the brand may not currently reach.

With the rise of premium and luxury Chinese products, it’s time for the Japanese to re-enter the conversation. Lexus has done well, but Century takes luxury to a new level, even outshining Genesis.

Japan, we’ve missed you. Welcome back.

JMS was a renaissance for the Japanese industry as China’s manufacturing prowess grows. The Century represents a call to invigorate the Japanese car industry and inspire the nation.

Toyota’s HiAce concepts showcase the versatility of vans beyond their traditional uses. The concept medical van and trade-spec units demonstrate how vans can be elevated with simple technology, making them more than just delivery or trade vehicles.

The Joby/Toyota flying uber deserves a mention for its innovative design and potential impact on transportation.

The Mazda Vision X-Coupe concept struck a chord with me. Mazda has teased sleek concepts with rotary powertrains before, but they haven’t come to fruition. Despite this, aspirational models like the RX-9 are essential for car companies to attract buyers and showcase their engineering and design capabilities.

I hope Mazda overcomes any obstacles to greenlighting the RX-9, as it could be a hero model that hooks buyers and elevates the brand. Tokyo Motor Show Unveils Exciting Concept Cars

The Tokyo Motor Show recently showcased some stunning concept cars that have left car enthusiasts eagerly awaiting their release. One such concept is the Toyota Corolla Concept, which has taken the already sleek design of the current-generation Corolla to the next level. With its futuristic exterior and functional interior, the Corolla Concept is a clever blend of style and practicality.

Another exciting concept is the Subaru Performance-B STI Concept, which harks back to the days of real STI models. Featuring aggressive styling, a massive rear wing, and all-wheel drive, this concept promises to deliver the thrill that Subaru enthusiasts have been missing.

However, one of the standout concepts from the show is the Mazda Vision X-Compact concept. This adorable hatchback concept hints at a new generation of the popular Mazda 2, bringing a fresh and modern design to the small car segment. While the Vision X-Coupe concept is undeniably cool, it’s the Vision X-Compact that has captured the attention of many with its potential to revitalize the Mazda 2 lineup.

Overall, the Tokyo Motor Show presented a mix of pleasant surprises, such as the Super-One EV from Honda, and some less appealing ones like the Lexus LS van concept. With automakers pushing boundaries and exploring new design directions, the future of the automotive industry looks incredibly exciting.

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