Malaysia Car of the Year 2025: Rakyat’s choice MPV awards rolls into 1 Utama

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Car of the Year (MCOTY) Rakyat’s Choice MPV Awards has returned for 2025, this time putting the decision-making entirely in the hands of mall-goers at 1 Utama.

Running from 12 to 16 November 2025 at the Oval Concourse in 1 Utama Shopping Centre, the roadshow is basically a live voting booth for family haulers. Visitors can walk up, check out the MPVs on display and vote in three simple categories:

• Most Wanted Test Drive

• Best Interior Design

• Best Exterior Design

It is meant to be a read on what regular Malaysian buyers actually like, not just what a jury thinks looks good on a spec sheet.

To keep things grounded in real-world ownership, the organisers have pulled in a few familiar names. Carsome is onboard as the Official Mobility and Resale Intelligence Partner, Bank Rakyat handles the Official Auto Finance Partner role, 70mai comes in as the Official Dashcam and Safety Partner, while MotorTakaful supports the event as Official Strategic Partner.

Together, they are using the roadshow to push talking points like safer driving, smarter buying decisions and easier access to financing.

The winners will not be crowned at the mall. Votes collected over the five days will be tallied and the Rakyat’s Choice MPV winners will instead be announced at the MCOTY Annual Gala Dinner next year, alongside the rest of the Malaysia Car of the Year awards in front of brands and industry guests.

For shoppers, the roadshow is more than just a ballot box. It is a chance to sit in the latest MPVs, look around the cabins, try some of the interactive displays and maybe walk away with a giveaway or two while casting a vote.

Event details
Date: 12 – 16 November 2025
Time: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm
Venue: Oval Concourse, 1 Utama Shopping Centre

MCOTY itself is set up as an independent recognition platform for cars sold in Malaysia, covering various segments. The Rakyat’s Choice portion is the public-facing bit, meant to capture what actual motorists think and feel about the cars they see and drive every day, not just what the judges decide behind closed doors.