Tokyo Motor Show: Japan strikes back against China

Japan’s biennial motor show was held late October, with most of Japan’s domestic brands rolling out concept vehicles created to be crowd pleasers.

But, along with garnering endless social media coverage, the underlining message from most carmakers is that the ongoing cavalcade of models from China will be met head-on.

With brands like GWM and BYD muscling in on its turf in recent years, Japan is doubling-down by stepping up. Here are a few of this year’s standouts.

Mazda Vision X-Compact Concept

The clues lay in the name. This beetle-shaped, high-riding hatchback is a peek into what the next-generation Mazda2 supermini will be like – a small crossover, or X-over for short.

And short it is, at just 3.8 metres, meaning that its occupants will be packaged upwards, into a taller city-car shape with ample space and good ground clearance.

As a result, it is expected to also supplant the ageing CX-3. Slated to come in petrol-hybrid and electric versions, the productionised Vision X-Concept is due later next year or in 2027.

Toyota Corolla Concept

Believe it or not, this stunningly futuristic concept previews the next Corolla small car, at least in sedan form.

Revealed to be available in electric vehicle (EV), as well as petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) guises, the bold design is said to convey Toyota’s ambition of providing progressive choices for a broad global buyer base.

The somewhat toned-down production versions of the new Corollas, which will include five-door hatchback styles, should debut internationally next year sometime. The Tokyo concept is merely here to whet appetites.

Honda Super-ONE prototype

Already confirmed locally for late 2026, the Super-ONE electric city car is smaller than the Mazda concept at under 3.6 metres long by 1.6m wide – and it comes with a hot-hatch twist.

Aimed at enthusiasts, the latest Honda ‘Kei car’ is undergoing testing for handling, ride comfort, safety and charging globally including in Australia, with the intention of creating a “playful” modern-day electrified Mini Cooper S. It will even feature a simulated manual-gearbox effect.

All in a friendly, retro-look yet practical five-door, four-seater body that Honda hopes will give the Super-ONE a real point of difference against Chinese EVs like BYD’s Atto 1.

Subaru STI concepts

After a period of hiatus, Subaru’s flagship STI sub-brand is back, headlined by the striking, rally-inspired flagship dubbed Performance-E STI.

Though the blue paint and gold wheels evoke the competition successes of the 1990s, the show car boasts an aero-effect-heavy crossover body that will likely appeal to cashed-up Gen-Xs and Millennials who may otherwise consider a Porsche Macan.

While that’s still some time away from reality, the current Impreza-based Performance-B STI could be imminent for production, finally reinstating a WRX-style turbo all-wheel-drive super-hot-hatch to go up against the VW Golf R.

Subaru is finally looking back to move forward.

Mitsubishi Elevance Concept

Is this the next Pajero full-sized SUV? The Elevance Concept may seem a little outlandish visually, but it could usher in the much-anticipated big family-sized three-row four-wheel drive wagon that’s been missing from the range for several years now.

Underneath, the show car seems close-to-production ready, with an advanced evolution of the popular Outlander’s esteemed PHEV powertrain and Super AWD system, though in this application it is also for serious off-road capability as well as low-emissions motoring.

Whether it will be based on the Triton ute chassis, a rebodied 2027 Nissan Y63 Patrol, or something else entirely, remains unclear. But at least Mitsubishi is returning to its core strength. Watch this space.