The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards 2025 (MCOTY) showcased the changes in the country’s car industry. It brought together car makers, industry leaders, and lawmakers to celebrate achievements in innovation, performance, and sustainability during a time of rapid change.
The Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury won the Overall Malaysia Car of the Year 2025 award. This car stood out for its cutting-edge electric technology, luxury features, extensive safety measures, and high-quality design, showing how electric vehicles (EVs) have advanced and are now setting new standards in various vehicle types.
For the second year in a row, an electric vehicle earned the top award, showing the growth of electric cars in Malaysia and their acceptance in higher-end markets.
The Automotive Person of the Year (APOY) award went to Dato’ Seri Zainal Abidin Ahmad, President and CEO of Perodua. He is an important figure in Malaysia’s automotive industry and has helped strengthen Perodua’s position while focusing on operational excellence and making cars more accessible to Malaysians.
Under his guidance, Perodua has achieved strong sales, significantly impacted Malaysia’s Total Industry Volume (TIV), and maintained quality and efficiency. He has also supported industry growth through vendor development and skills training, helping Perodua become a key player in the automotive sector and introducing Malaysia’s first locally developed electric vehicle, the Perodua QV-E.
A key highlight of MCOTY 2025 was that many winners were electric vehicles, especially fully electric models. At the same time, hybrid engines and new turbocharged gas engines have become common among the best-performing cars, showing a gradual shift in the market rather than sudden changes in technology.
Reflecting consumer preferences, the People’s Choice Award 2025 went to the Proton X50 1.5TD Flagship, which was most popular with Malaysian buyers. This award underscores how consumer demands for technology, efficiency, safety, and value are aligning with the industry’s shift toward better and more sustainable transportation options.
MCOTY 2025 also focused on the automotive supply chain and the vendor ecosystem, supporting the development of a strong automotive industry. The awards recognized the important role of industry partners in vehicle development and quality manufacturing. This year, the vendor awards went to Asian Automotive Steels Sdn Bhd and Delloyd Electronics Sdn Bhd, honoring their contributions through engineering skills and support for operations in Malaysia’s automotive industry.
“The Malaysia Car of the Year Awards reflect how far the nation’s automotive industry has progressed, not only in terms of scale but also in innovation and sustainability. The growing presence of electric vehicles among top award winners demonstrates Malaysia’s readiness to embrace cleaner and smarter mobility solutions”, said Deputy Prime Minister, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Haji Yusof
He also explained how this aligns with national and regional goals, as the government’s focus on energy transition offers opportunities for companies to invest in green technologies and develop advanced mobility solutions.
Winners at MCOTY 2025 were selected through a transparent judging process by experienced automotive journalists and industry experts. Vehicles were assessed on eight criteria: Appearance, Safety, Ergonomics, Value for Money, Practicality, Performance, Energy Efficiency, and Warranty. This approach ensures the awards recognize vehicles that achieve balanced excellence.
“Platforms such as MCOTY play an important role in reflecting the direction of Malaysia’s industrial and trade agenda, particularly as the automotive sector transitions towards higher value-added, technology-driven, and sustainable manufacturing. The continued collaboration between government, OEMs, suppliers, and technology providers will be critical in strengthening Malaysia’s competitiveness, supporting local industry players, and positioning the country as a key automotive and mobility hub in the region”, said YB Tuan Sim Tze Tzin. Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
“MCOTY 2025 reflects the changes taking place across Malaysia’s automotive industry. Beyond recognising individual vehicles, the awards also acknowledge the wider ecosystem, including suppliers, vendors, and supporting partners, whose contributions are essential to product development, manufacturing quality, and long-term industry sustainability aligned with our National Automotive Policy (NAP2020),” said Azrul Reza Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of MARii.
Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) Awards 2025 – List of Winners
AWARDS BY CATEGORY
- SUV of the Year: Price Below RM 200K
JAECOO J8 AWD - SUV of the Year: Price RM 200K – RM 500K
Zeekr 7X AWD Performance - SUV of the Year: Price Above RM 500K
Porsche Macan Turbo EV - Crossover ICE of the Year: Below RM 120K
PROTON X50 1.5TD Flagship - Crossover ICE of the Year: Above RM 120K
JAECOO J8 2WD - Crossover xEV of the Year: Below RM 120K
CHERY TIGGO CROSS 1.5 Hybrid CSH - Crossover xEV of the Year: Above RM 120K
JAECOO J7 PHEV - Sedan of the Year: Below RM 150K
PROTON Saga 1.5 Premium - Sedan of the Year: RM 150K – RM 500K
Toyota Camry XV80 - Sedan of the Year: Above RM 500K
BMW M2 - MPV xEV of the Year
Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury - MPV ICE of the Year
Hyundai Staria 2.2 CRDi Prestige 7-seater - Pickup Truck of the Year
Ford Wildtrak 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel - Hatchback of the Year
MINI Aceman SE - Performance Car of the Year
MG Cyberster - Best xEV of the Year
Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury - Best ICE Car of the Year
PROTON Saga 1.5 Premium CVT - Best Entry Level xEV of the Year
PROTON e.Mas 5 Premium
SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS
- Overall MCOTY 2025 (Car of the Year)
Zeekr 009 Ultra Luxury - Innovative Transition towards Zero Emission Mobility
Nissan KICKS e-POWER - Introducing Low Carbon Mobility to Malaysia Premium Airport
Grab with BYD M6 - Best EV Friendly Property Development Company
Sime Darby Properties - Excellence in Automotive Sustainability Management Best Practices
Perodua - Best Selling Car Brand
Perodua
AUTOMOTIVE PERSON OF THE YEAR
- Automotive Person of the Year
Perodua President and CEO, Dato’ Sri Zainal Abidin Ahmad
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
- Peoples’ Choice Award
PROTON X50 1.5TD Flagship
AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLY CHAIN & AFTER SALES AWARDS
- Special Mention – Contribution to Government Effort in EV
Perodua - Best Local Automotive Supplier of the Year
Asian Automotive Steels Sdn Bhd
NEW AWARDS CATEGORIES
- Automotive Supplier of the Year
Delloyd Electronics Sdn Bhd - Most Energy Efficient Vehicle
CHERY TIGGO 8 PHEV 1.5 -FWD - Rakyat’s Choice Roadshow – MPV Category Winner
XPENG - CARSOME Best Resale Value Brand 2025
Perodua - Excellence in EV Infrastructure & Connectivity
TNB Electron