Nissan Sakura wins ‘2022-2023 Japan Car of the Year’ award and Kei Car of the Year award – Nissan announced today that its all-electric Sakura mini-vehicle won the 2022-2023 Japan Car of the Year award and it is the sixth time Nissan has won this award. The Nissan Sakura also won the Kei Car of the Year award, an award specifically for the mini-vehicle segment. In addition to the awards, the Nissan X-Trail SUV won the Technology Car of the Year award.
The jury also selected the Sakura, Fairlady Z and X-Trail in their list of the 10 best cars of the year. The list was announced in November, after the first selection round. It has been 21 years since Nissan last had three vehicles in the 10 best cars list.
The reasons given for the awards by the organizer were:-
Sakura: Japan Car of the Year
Adopting Japan’s unique mini-vehicle classification, the Sakura is priced competitively for EV ownership and will contribute to the spread of EVs in Japan.
In addition, combining a mini-vehicle with an EV not only ensures mobility for many people, including the elderly. It also shows the potential for solving societal issues, in consideration of the anticipated decrease in the number of gasoline stations and public bus transport resulting from carbon-neutral activities.
Furthermore, the jurors rated its handling and dynamic performance surpassing that of conventional mini-vehicles. The safety technology was also well evaluated, with high marks given for its 360° Safety Assist (all-around driving support system), which provides driving support similar to the level of luxury vehicles.
Sakura: Kei Car of the Year
The Sakura offers value-for-money functions as an entry-level EV in the mini-vehicle segment.
It was also highly evaluated for its cruising range of 120 km to 150 km for daily drives. Its high level of handling stability and cabin quietness also made it deserving of the award.
X-Trail: Technology Car of the Year
The all-new X-Trail is equipped with e-4ORCE electric drive four-wheel control technology and the second-generation of the e-POWER system, utilizing a 1.5-liter inline three-cylinder VC turbo variable compression ratio engine for electrical power generation and a higher output motor. The automobile was highly evaluated for the integration of innovative internal-combustion and EV technologies into one vehicle.
The excellent control technology of these systems was also highly evaluated, with some jurors saying that it brought to their mind the close association between Nissan and technology.
Note: The awards won by the Sakura are shared with the vehicle’s sibling, the Mitsubishi eK X EV.
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