THE 19th Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) award saw an astonishing 121 new cars nominated with the winners emerging as the best in their respective segments.
All of them were selected based on several criteria, including design, technology, safety and value for money.
It should be noted that all nominated models were launched but not yet available for public viewing or test drives by July 31, and they will automatically be nominated for next year's award show.
SEDAN AND HATCHBACK
This year's Sedan and Hatchback category saw 33 vehicles duke it out for the top prizes.
The nominees were divided into three price brackets: Eight cars in the below RM100,000 group, 10 in the between RM111,000 and RM249,000 group (also known as the Family Car category) and 13 models in the "Executive Car of the Year" category for vehicles priced above RM250,000.
The winners for the three categories are the Toyota Vios, Honda Civic e:HEV RS Hybrid and Mercedes-Benz C300 AMG Line, respectively.
CROSSOVER AND SUV
The Crossover category has gained popularity over the years and is now the second biggest segment in Malaysia's car market.
With 30 models vying for the "gold", there was a clear price break-point for the panel to decide where to divide the segment.
Toyota's Corolla Cross Hybrid took the win in the below-RM200,000 bracket while the Mazda CX-8 2.2D 2WD was the winner in the premium segment.
Pure sport utility vehicles (SUVs) also remained as popular as ever with 26 competing models.
Kia's Sorento 2.2 diesel AWD took the prize in the below RM250,000 bracket while the Lexus RX 350 Luxury 2.4 T was the premium king.
C300 AMG LINE 2.0L
Also known as the "mini S-Class", the C300 AMG Line 2.0L is the sportier variant of the two C-Class in the market, with the other being the C200 Avantgarde Line 1.5L.
It houses a 2.0-litre mild hybrid, four-cylinder modular engine with an integrated starter-generator mated to a 9G-Tronic transmission which, along with a newly enhanced twin-scroll technology, delivers an output of 258hp at 5.800rpm and a rated torque of 400Nm at 3,200rpm.
It can complete the zero to 100kph sprint in six seconds and has a top speed of 250kph. Its fuel consumption is rated at 7L/100km.
The key feature that ties it to the S-Class is a large LCD 11.9-inch central display supported by the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX 2.0) multimedia system that is compatible with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, in addition to the high-resolution 12.3-inch free-standing driver display.
The C300 AMG Line 2.0L comes with a recommended retail price (on the road without insurance) starting from RM334,088.
2023 VIOS 1.5G
At the time of judging, Toyota's fourth-generation 2023 Vios was the most exciting B-segment sedan in the market.
Looking radically different from the previous models, the new Vios is available in two variants: 1.5G and 1.5E. Both use a retuned 1.5-litre 2NR-VE dual VVT-i four-cylinder 16-valve DOHC engine that's paired with a new seven-speed Sequential Shiftmatic continuously variable transmission.
This translates to 106PS at 6,000rpm and a maximum torque of 138Nm at 4,200rpm. It has three drive modes of Power, Eco and Normal.
Built on the Daihatsu New Global Architecture (DNGA) platform, the car is 110kg lighter than its predecessor and has adjustable levelling LED headlamps at the front with daytime running lights.
It also has the Follow-Me-Home feature as well as spats in certain areas to guide airflow and air vents to enhance cooling performance of the brakes. Aeroblades for the windscreen wipers are also specially designed for less wind resistance.
The 1.5G gets paddle shifters, disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, electronic parking brake, auto brake hold and the auto rain sensing wiper system.
The Toyota Safety Sense suite is present, as is a new Pedal Misoperation Control safety feature. The Vehicle Telematics System is available at no charge for the first three years of ownership.
The 1.5G variant is priced at RM95,500 (on the road without insurance).
LEXUS RX 350 LUXURY 2.4 T
Beautiful in almost every aspect is what makes the Lexus a premium brand. The RX 350 Luxury 2.4 T's cabin continues the Tazuna concept that merges with the Omotenashi-influenced design of cutting-edge technologies.
Close attention was paid to the size, shape, layout and information of switches within the cabin space to create a cohesiveness that surrounds the customisable 14-inch centre display.
Built on an enhanced GA-K platform, the new RX sits wider (+25mm) and boasts a longer wheelbase (+60mm).
The electronically controlled full-time AWD system runs on a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a direct shift eight-speed automatic transmission with shift-by-wire technology at its heart.
It delivers a maximum 279PS at 6,000rpm and 430Nm of torque at 3,600rpm.
It has adaptive variable suspension to control the damping force of the shock absorbers on all four 21-inch wheels for added comfort. Active noise control helps to reduce noise within the cabin space.
It features an improved version of the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) and also has a digital panoramic view monitor with a live 360-degree view of the vehicle and rear traffic cross alert.
Additionally, it comes equipped with an E-latch system for both inside and outside door handles that's paired with the blindspot monitor with a safe exit assist.
The RX 350 Luxury is priced at RM468,888 (on the road without insurance) and has a five-year warranty with unlimited mileage.
CX-8 2.2D 2WD
The model is close to everything that represents the best of what makes crossovers so popular in today's market.
Its design, drive performance, comfort and features are what you would expect - and at the best price possible - from the best car in the segment.
The 2.2-litre Skyactiv-D turbodiesel engine is paired with a six-speed Skyactiv-Drive automatic gearbox to deliver 188hp at 4,500rpm and 450Nm of torque at 2,000rpm.
It also comes with G-Vectoring Control Plus (GVC Plus) that applies brake force lightly to the outer wheels as the steering wheel is returned to the centre position.
The standard kit includes automatic LED headlights and taillights, LED fog lights, keyless entry, push-button start, triple-zone auto climate control, a seven-inch instrument display, an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory, a seven-seat layout, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, six speakers, a reverse camera and a hands-free powered tailgate.
It is priced from RM212,000 and comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty and five-year free maintenance according to the manufacturer's standards, inclusive of labour, parts and lubricants.
It also comes with a five-year coverage period and a 100,000km mileage limit (whichever comes first).
KIA CARNIVAL 2.2D
Fun, space, performance and range all rolled up into one makes the Kia Carnival 2.2D the most popular multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) out of the seven nominees.
The 2022 Carnival is built based on the all-new third-generation "N3" platform that is said to be lighter, stronger and quieter than its predecessor.
Physically, the most notable update is its new "tiger face" design that extends across the width of the vehicle by integrating lamp combinations with the "tiger-nose" grille.
It has a shorter front overhang with the base of the A-pillar moved backwards to create a longer hood.
A key improvement for the 11-seater MPV is the expanded use of hot-stamped parts and ultra-high-strength steel for increased average tensile strength and torsional stiffness to ensure improved driving dynamics.
There's greater application of sound absorbing and insulating materials to minimise road, wind, and engine noise.
Aerodynamic improvements include wheels, front bumper and mirrors to achieve better fuel economy.
KIA SORENTO 2.2 DIESEL AWD
If you're looking for range, then going with the Sorento diesel variant is the best pick with a potential 900km of fuel range.
The fourth-generation Sorento incorporates Kia's new "refined boldness" design concept with its signature "tiger nose" LED grille and "tiger eyeline" LED daytime running lights, rectangular lower air intake with wing-shaped air curtains, a sharp bumper front spoiler with a skid plate, and newly designed vertical taillights.
The Smartstream 2.2L diesel engine AWD variant produces 199hp and 440Nm of torque. It utilises an aluminium block and is 38.2kg lighter than its predecessor.
It is also paired with Kia's new eight-speed wet double-clutch transmission designed for smoother shifting and enhanced fuel efficiency.
The 11-seater model also features a Terrain Mode that improves traction, stability and control on mud, snow and sand.
The model was awarded a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, achieving 82 per cent for adult occupant protection, 85 per cent for child occupant protection, 63 per cent for pedestrian protection, and 87 per cent in the Safety Assist category.
All variants come with Kia's Vehicle Stability Management and Electronic Stability Control system as standard.
Other standard safety features include six SRS airbags (front driver and passenger, side and curtain), anti-lock braking system, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control system, multi-collision brake control, hill-start assist control, ISOFIX child restraint anchor points and top tethers.
The 2023 Sorento 2.2L Diesel AWD is priced at RM255,228.80. It comes with a five-year manufacturer warranty with a coverage period of up to five years or 100,000km (whichever comes first) and five-year free scheduled maintenance with a coverage period of up to five years or 100,000km (whichever comes first).
At its heart is a 2.2L turbo diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that's controlled by an electronic shifter. The powertrain produces 199hp at 3,800rpm and 440Nm of torque from 1,750rpm to 2,750rpm.
It has a fuel efficiency of 6.5 litres per 100km.
FORD RANGER 2.0 XLT PLUS DOUBLE CAB 4X4 WILDTRAK
Among the 10 nominated pickup trucks, four were from Ford. After much consideration, the judges settled on the Ranger 2.0 XLT Plus Double Cab 4x4 WildTrak.
Its powertrain setup included a 2.0-litre EcoBlue four-cylinder bi-turbodiesel engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission to deliver 213PS of power and 500Nm of torque.
The transmission features a brand new torque converter, said to make for better refinement and responsiveness as it eliminates the lag during acceleration. Gear ratio gaps have also been tightened to improve power delivery at lower engine loads
It offers an extensive array of smart safety technologies, including first-in-class features for a pickup truck like Autonomous Emergency Braking with Vehicle and Pedestrian Detection, Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning and Semi-Automatic Parallel Parking.
The 4x4 pickup is priced from RM169,688 in Peninsular Malaysia (on-the-road and without insurance).