Renault 5 / Alpine A290, the new Car Of The Year 2025

Europe has elected its new king. The Renault 5 (along with the Alpine A290) has become the Car Of The Year 2025. In a ceremony held at the start of the Brussels International Motor Show (which will return to the stage after the 2023 edition) and in a Eurovision style, the 60 members of the jury of The Car Of The Year award have issued their verdict choosing the best car in the automotive market in Europe.

The Renault 5 was crowned best car of the year 2025, beating in the final six other contenders Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën C3-ëC3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster and Kia EV3. This year's edition was more competitive than ever, as all the finalist models had electrified features, most of them 100% electric.

With this victory, the Renault 5 takes over from its brother, the Renault Scenic, which won the top continental award last year. Jury president Soren Rasmussen acted as master of ceremonies, along with British juror Vicky Parrott.

This is the second time in the 62-year history of the Car Of The Year that a brand has repeated the crown two years in a row. It was in 1995 and 1996 with the Fiat Punto and Fiat Bravo. Since then this has never happened.

After the verdict of the 23 countries was known, the Renault 5 was the most voted with 353 points beating the Kia EV3 that got 291 points, followed by the Citroën C3-ëC3 with 215 points. Fourth place went to a surprising Hyundai Inster (172 points), fifth, just four points behind to the Dacia Duster (168 points), sixth to the Cupra Terramar (165 points) and seventh to the Alfa Romeo Junior, with 136 points.

The award, which this year had a new format, was collected by Fabrice Cambolive, CEO of Renault, and Philippe Krief, CEO of Alpine.