The Renault 5 was named Car of the Year at the 2025 What Car? Car of the Year Awards. It was also named Best Small Electric Car while the Renault Clio was named Small Car of the Year.
This is the fourth time that Renault has won the overall What Car? Car of the Year title, but the first time it has done so since 1997, when the original Scénic MPV took first place.
Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive, said: “The car industry is more competitive than ever, but at Renault we are really enjoying proving that the European players can still deliver innovation, excitement, and a little magic.
“The Renault 5 is designed to bring joy to the roads. And we believe it is a breakthrough EV for being a car that people will want regardless of its powertrain.”
The win also represents the fourth time that a fully electric car has been named Car of the Year at the awards. The Renault 5 follows the Kia e-Niro (in 2019), the Kia EV6 (in 2022) and the Volkswagen ID Buzz (in 2023).
Judges said that the Renault 5 is comfortable, good to drive, well priced, and equipped with an infotainment system better than those in some far more expensive models.
The other winners announced at the awards were the Hyundai Santa Fe (Seven-Seater of the Year), Kia EV3 (Small Electric SUV of the Year), MG HS (Plug-in Hybrid of the Year) and Skoda Elroq (Family Electric SUV of the Year).
The Volkswagen Passat won the most awards of any car (Estate of the Year, Tow Car of the Year and the Safety Award). The Kia EV4 won the Reader Award which goes to the most exciting upcoming EV and is decided by a public vote.
