10/01/2025 12:36
The winner was revealed on the opening day of the Brussels Motor Show, with the Renault 5 emerging on top after the votes lodged by the 60 members of the jury – spread across 23 countries - were counted.
It marks only the second time in the history of the award that the same manufacturer has won the title for two years in a row, with Fiat having won in 1995 and 1996 with the Punto and then Bravo/Brava. Renault won the 2024 award with the Scenic E-Tech.
The Renault 5 scored a total of 353 points to beat the Kia EV3 into second spot on 291, with the Citroen C3-eC3 in third on 215.
The Hyundai Inster edged out the Dacia Duster and the Cupra Terramar for fourth, with the Alfa Romeo Junior bringing up the rear.
“Within the Group, the Renault brand and Ampere, we all feel immensely proud to have taken the prestigious Car of the Year award for the second year running,” Renault CEO Fabrice Cambolive said.
“Renault 5 E-Tech electric is a real game changer in Europe. It makes electric vehicles desirable as well as inspiring an emotional response. At the same time, it was designed to deliver added value for our customers.
“If there’s one car with the potential to transform the electric market, it’s this one.”
The high-performance version of the car developed by Alpine is available with a more powerful powertrain from the Megane E-Tech, and is the first all-electric car to come from Alpine since the brand was relaunched by Renault back in 2017.
“The Alpine team is very proud today to win the Car of the Year award from the COTY jury, for its A290, the brand's first hot hatch,” Alpine CEO Philippe Krief said.
“This award is all the more symbolic as the A290 inaugurates the 100% electric Dream Garage, a first step in the development of an Alpine-style electric sportiness.
“I would like to thank all the teams rewarded today for their passion and professionalism. But also the entire Alpine community of fans and customers, who are today writing a new page in the history of the French brand.”
Discover the range of new and used cars from the Renault line-up at Bristol Street Motors.
This includes the Clio hatchback and the updated Captur as well as the hybrid Austral.