Our favourite reveals at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show

It's been a long, long time since we could rely on a dozen big international motor shows each year, with most brands now looking to their own events – keeping the spotlight all to themselves, if only for a night.

However, this week's Japan Mobility Show – formerly the Tokyo Motor Show – has seen the country's top brands pull out all the stops to unveil some tasty and evocative show cars.

Wheels had John Law on the ground in Tokyo for the event, and you can see his full wrap on the big reveals here, or check out the individual stories listed below.

Big showdown in Tokyo

Did you have a favourite reveal at the show? I confess I'm torn between a few, but that's a good problem to have, compared to the alternative.

I've polled our team for their faves. Tell us which reveals you liked in the comments below!

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Jez Spinks

Toyota EPU Concept

As vastly improved as some dual-cab utes have become, I still miss the car-based Falcon and Commodore utes. The Toyota EPU concept still looks more a HiLux, but it's easy to imagine it being vastly better to drive. And with Ford and Hyundai seemingly determined to deny us the Maverick and Santa Cruz, respectively, then the other thing to love is that Toyota Australia has already put its hand up for a potential production version.

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Mike Stevens

Toyota LandCruiser Se concept

It feels odd to be favouring an SUV when a number of stylish sports models were revealed at the same event, but, well... here we are. I really feel Toyota has nailed this one, introducing a stylish and upmarket look that appears focused on the road, but could well prove as capable off-road as most buyers will need.

Naming it LandCruiser is, of course, the odd piece here. It has Kluger vibes more than anything else – but, perhaps Toyota has taken a tip from Ford, using a historic and iconic name for a new and largely unrelated electric vehicle. It seems to have worked for the Mach-E, if North American sales figures are anything to go by... [↗]

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Andy Enright

Mazda Iconic SP

It's been a while since I saw a show car that created such an instant and tangible desire. The MX-5 and RX-7 are some of the most revered sporting nameplates, so Mazda has a huge responsibility not to stuff this up. Maybe the fancy doors can go, but otherwise this car needs to come to market looking as close to this as possible. Whether pedestrian crash legislation allows that is open to question.

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John Law

Daihatsu Osanpo

A lifted roadster with a funky Lotus-like cabin. I love the design freedom exercised here; who on earth asked for an electric open-top off-roader?

Almost certainly no one (and certainly no Australians) but that’s precisely why I love what Toyota’s micro-car subsidiary has come up with in the Osanpo.

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Jordan Hickey

Mazda Iconic SP concept

For me, it’s a tough choice between Toyota’s EPU electric ute concept – a rival to the Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz that would have great appeal locally – and the Mazda Iconic SP concept.

Mazda’s voila red concept prevails with its gorgeous look, pop-up headlights, and hybrid rotary range-extender powertrain.

If it reaches production, the signs point to a RX-7 revival – or at least a retro-inspired MX-5 ready for the electrified era. And if the NE MX-5, due around 2026, looks anything like this, I’m all for it.

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Shana Zlotin

2024 Suzuki Swift 'concept'.

The changes are subtle, so I guess if it ain't broke, don't fix it. It's even regained its rear door handles.

Maybe the designers have tried to 'fix' it up in a previous generation and perhaps realised it was already perfect as is 😄 #longlivetheswift

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Tim Robson

Honda Prelude

Honda has spent the last few years - Civic Type R notwithstanding - being the punchline of the joke. The new Prelude is a stunning return to design form for a company whose sedans and coupes defined an era of affordable, dependable and good looking cars. Is this the beginning of the crossover pushback?

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Haitham Razagui

Daihatsu Vision Copen

Daihatsu reprising its Copen kei sports car was a highlight for me. Compared to the cute but dumpy early 2000s original the Vision Copen's proportions are spectacular – just look at that wheelbase! It is also wins extra points for becoming rear-wheel drive and, unlike the original, probably big enough for me to fit into. Finally, just as the first-generation Copen spawned bodykits to make it look like a miniature Audi TT, I can immediately see people making this into a baby Bentley.

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Tim McAlpine

Subaru Sport vs Toyota FTSE Concept

The Sport concept could've been the highlight of the show and a great opportunity for Subaru to show its future-thinking pathway. However, personally, I think they have missed the mark trying to go extreme – but not quite far enough. Toyota,, on the other hand has shown Subaru how it's done with an incredible-looking futuristic vehicle. Maybe it's just the McLaren vibes winning me over, but its definitely my favourite from the Japan Mobility show.

*SP Rotary concept is a close second; a very clever concept from Mazda that will appeal to a large audience.

Did you have a favourite reveal at the show? Tell us in the comments below!