The victory in the "Car of the Year" competition on the European market was won by the Renault 5 and its sports version, the Alpine A290. For the French brand, this success is special: the manufacturer receives the award for the second season in a row, and such a streak has not happened since 1996.
This year's competition was marked by intense rivalry. Six more contenders made it to the final stage: Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën C3/ë-C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, and Kia EV3. All finalists share a common feature — electrified powertrains, with the vast majority being fully electric.
The Renault 5, which emerged victorious, became not only a demonstration of technical innovations but also a revival of an iconic model. The car combined a recognizable classic look with modern electric solutions, which secured its breakthrough status.
For Renault, this is the second consecutive victory in the competition. Last year, the Renault Scenic celebrated triumph; now, the award for the Renault 5 has been added to the collection. This result is historic, as the last time two consecutive victories were recorded was in the 1995–1996 seasons, when the laureates were the Fiat Punto and Fiat Bravo.
The success of the Renault 5 gives additional momentum to the electric direction. Given the increasingly fierce competition, it seems that the further development of the European car market will be closely linked to progress in electrification, autonomous technologies, and sustainable development.
Thus, the title of "Car of the Year 2025" has become a testament not only to Renault's achievements but also to the general trend toward more environmentally friendly transport, which is gaining more and more supporters among European drivers.
