The new Renault 5 electric car is Europe’s Car of the Year for 2025. Seeing off competition from six other finalists, the Renault - and its derivative from sister brand Alpine - was voted the best new car from an initial list of 42 new models by 60 jurors from 23 European countries.
The prestigious prize, which has been running since 1964, compares any new model launched within the 12 months prior to the award, and as long as they are on sale in several European nations. Each jury member has 25 points to allocate across the seven finalists, with a maximum of 10 points for any one car and you have to vote for at least five cars. Unlike other such competitions, all the jury votes are made public.
In the final voting the Renault had a decisive win, garnering 353 points, ahead of the Kia EV3 on 291 points, followed by the Citroën C3/ëC3 with 215 points. Fourth place went to Dacia’s new Duster (172 points), just four points ahead of the Hyundai Inster (168 points) in fifth place. Sixth in the list was the Cupra Terramar (165 points) and seventh the Alfa Romeo Junior, with 136 points.
Renault's new 5 taps deeply into the retro styling of its predecessor that was a firm favourite in the 1980s, but under the metal delivers an all-electric car featuring the latest technology. The interior looks great too, and it’s roomy up front, even if it's actually quite cramped in the back. Performance is decent rather than thrilling, but the R5 is fun to drive. For most people the claimed 400km range - likely 320km in real life - should be enough for most buyers.
Judges look for a variety of factors, from innovation, driving pleasure, functionality, value for money and whether it sets new standards compared to its direct rivals.
For the first time in many years, each of the seven finalists for car of the year could justifiably take the prestigious title.
From the new Dacia Duster that delivers an incredible value proposition for family motoring, to the Renault 5 that epitomises the motor industry’s current retro revivalist trope.
During the year, the eligible cars undergo various tests, not only by jury members in their own countries but at group test events organised by the jury. One such is the well-respected Tannis test in northern Denmark. The week-long test event every autumn puts dozens of the new cars through their paces on public roads plus specific safety and handling tests at a nearby airfield.
The tests have a proven impact within the industry, and there are cases where changes to new models have been introduced after a car’s poor performance in the likes of the Tannis handling test, known as the Elk Test.
Other tests take place across Europe, organised by various local jury members, at renowned motoring locations like Silverstone and the Balocco test track.
Earlier this week the seven finalist cars were tested at an event organised by the jury at the Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet, southeast of Charleroi in Belgium. There, the jury members compared the cars on the track and on public roads before casting their final votes.
