Europe has a new Car of the Year, and it’s the Renault 5, along with its sibling the Alpine A290. The prestigious award was announced in a Eurovision-style ceremony at the Brussels International Motor Show, marking the show’s return after the 2023 edition. Sixty jurors from The Car Of The Year award panel cast their votes, selecting the Renault 5 as the best vehicle in the European automotive market.
The Renault 5 emerged victorious from a competitive field of seven finalists, all showcasing electrified powertrains, predominantly fully electric. The other contenders included the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën C3-ëC3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, and Kia EV3. This year’s selection highlighted the growing trend towards electric vehicles in the automotive industry.
This win marks a consecutive victory for Renault, as the Renault Scenic took home the Car Of The Year award the previous year. Soren Rasmussen, president of the jury, and British juror Vicky Parrott, jointly presented the ceremony. This back-to-back win is a rare feat in the award’s 62-year history. Only once before has a brand achieved this, with Fiat winning in 1995 and 1996 with the Punto and Bravo models respectively.
After votes from 23 countries were tallied, the Renault 5 secured a decisive win with 353 points. The Kia EV3 came in second with 291 points, followed by the Citroën C3-ëC3 with 215 points. The Hyundai Inster surprised many by taking fourth place with 172 points, closely followed by the Dacia Duster with 168 points. The Cupra Terramar and Alfa Romeo Junior received 165 and 136 points respectively.
Fabrice Cambolive, CEO of Renault, and Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine, accepted the award, presented in a new format this year. The Renault 5’s victory underscores its appeal and innovation in the evolving automotive landscape, solidifying its position as the 2025 Car of the Year.
