A double victory because the Car of the Year 2025 is both the Renault 5 and its sporty counterpart, the Alpine A290. A double win also because it’s the second consecutive year Renault has claimed the title, having won it in 2024 with the Scénic, also electric. A true tribute to the Diamond’s electrification strategy and its “Renaulution.”
This marks the 61st edition of the award, decided by a jury of 61 members representing 21 European countries. Their decision crowns these models as the reigning stars of the automotive market.
Renault 5 and Alpine A290: Icons of Electrification
Breaking tradition, this year’s announcement took place at the Brussels Motor Show instead of the usual Geneva Motor Show – actually for the second time. The final voting process saw the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 outshine six other contenders, which had themselves been shortlisted from an initial pool of 28 models. Let’s delve into what makes these winners stand out, along with a closer look at their formidable competition.
The Renault 5 E-Tech and its performance-oriented sibling, the Alpine A290, share the Car of the Year 2025 title. Both are built on the AmpR Small platform, with the Renault 5 masterfully reinterpreting the design language of the classic R5.
For 2025, an entry-level version of the Renault 5 is set to debut at €25,000, featuring a 40 kWh battery and a 95-horsepower motor. Currently available is the Renault 5 E-Tech with a 52 kWh battery, delivering 400 km of range and a 150-horsepower electric motor. The Alpine A290 complements this offering with enhanced performance characteristics. These models collectively celebrate Renault’s forward-thinking electrification strategy and its bold “Renaulution.”
The rest of the list
Alfa Romeo Junior
The Alfa Romeo Junior, the brand’s first electric B-SUV, claimed a strong position in the competition. Initially named Alfa Romeo Milano, the name was later changed to Junior, reviving a historical moniker.
This model distinguishes itself within the Stellantis Group’s portfolio with options ranging from mild hybrid and electric to a high-performance 280-horsepower electric Veloce. A Q4 mild hybrid variant is also on the horizon for 2025.
Citroën C3
Built on the Smart Car platform, the Citroën C3 offers a versatile lineup of powertrains, including the electric e-C3, a 1.2 gasoline version, and a mild hybrid.
Designed as a global car, it combines crossover styling with compact dimensions, making it an attractive choice for urban drivers. The mild hybrid option features a small electric motor integrated into the dual-clutch transmission, enabling brief electric-only driving.
Cupra Terramar
The Cupra Terramar is a full-fledged C-segment SUV, diverging from the crossover appeal of the Cupra Formentor. Sharing its DNA with the Volkswagen Tiguan and upcoming Audi Q3, the Terramar impresses with its plug-in hybrid powertrain, alongside mild hybrid and pure gasoline options.
A standout feature is its generous cargo space, ranging from 508 to 608 liters in a five-seat configuration.
Dacia Duster
The new-generation Dacia Duster continues to excel by offering practicality and affordability. Now featuring Renault’s full hybrid technology, it remains a top contender in the B-SUV segment.
With both two- and four-wheel-drive options, the Duster also offers mild hybrid and bifuel LPG engines, further solidifying its appeal.
Hyundai Inster
A recent addition to the European market, the Hyundai Inster is essentially the electric version of the Hyundai Casper. This compact city car, measuring just 3.82 meters in length, competes directly with models like the Dacia Spring.
Despite its small size, it offers impressive interior space thanks to a 2.58-meter wheelbase and a range of up to 355 km, available with two battery and power options.
Kia EV3
Rounding out the finalists is the Kia EV3 (already Denmark’s Car of The Year), a standout electric vehicle straddling the B-SUV and compact C segments. With a wheelbase of 2.68 meters and a total length of 4.30 meters, it combines spaciousness with efficiency.
The Long Range version boasts a remarkable 560 km of range, thanks to its 81 kWh battery.
