The new Toyota Prius narrowly beat Honda's Insight to be crowned Japan's Car of the Year for 2009/2010.
Locked in a battle to the end, Prius scored 433 votes to Insight's 391 in what is described as one of the closest results in the contest's 30-year history.
The Volkswagen Golf placed third with 186 votes and was adjudged the Import Car of the Year.
Mitsubishi's i-MIEV was fourth and Mercedes-Benz's E-Class fifth.
The Mitsubishi electric car also received the "Most Advanced Technology" award for being the first electric car to use lithium-ion batteries in a "real-world" scenario.
Subaru's Legacy was voted "Best Value", while the Nissan 370Z sped off with the trophy for "Most Fun".
The announcement was made at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Locked in a battle to the end, Prius scored 433 votes to Insight's 391 in what is described as one of the closest results in the contest's 30-year history.
The Volkswagen Golf placed third with 186 votes and was adjudged the Import Car of the Year.
Mitsubishi's i-MIEV was fourth and Mercedes-Benz's E-Class fifth.
The Mitsubishi electric car also received the "Most Advanced Technology" award for being the first electric car to use lithium-ion batteries in a "real-world" scenario.
Subaru's Legacy was voted "Best Value", while the Nissan 370Z sped off with the trophy for "Most Fun".
The announcement was made at the Tokyo Motor Show.