The iconic French compact car earns the title of Car of the Year, marking Renault's 8th win
Renault has once again captured the spotlight with a victory rooted in its storied past. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, a reimagining of the classic 1970s model, has claimed the prestigious 2025 Car of the Year title. The award, announced during the opening of the Brussels Motor Show, also recognizes the Alpine A290 as a co-winner. This marks Renault’s second consecutive win, adding to the brand’s illustrious history. Let’s break it down.
Renault’s Eighth Win in Car of the Year History
The journey to victory began in November when the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric and its sibling, the Alpine A290, were nominated for the award. Built on the AmpR Small platform—specifically designed for B-segment electric vehicles—these models impressed the jury with their innovative design, cutting-edge onboard technologies, and engineering excellence.
Competing against six other finalists, including the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë-C3/C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, and Kia EV3, the Renault 5 emerged as the frontrunner. A jury of 60 automotive journalists from 23 countries awarded the Renault 5 and Alpine A290 a shared first place, amassing an impressive 353 points.
For Renault, this marks the eighth time one of its vehicles has earned the prestigious honor. Previous winners include:
- Renault 16 (1966)
- Renault 9 (1982)
- Clio I (1991)
- Scénic (1997)
- Mégane (2003)
- Clio III (2006)
- Scénic E-Tech Electric (2024)
Renault’s CEO, Fabrice Cambolive, expressed his pride: “If there’s one car that can redefine the electric vehicle market, it’s this one!”
Accelerating Electrification with the Renault 5
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric pays homage to its 1970s predecessor, which was celebrated for meeting the needs of its time. Today, the new Renault 5 seeks to appeal to both nostalgic buyers and younger generations, offering an affordable entry point into the electric vehicle market.
Manufactured at the Ampere ElectriCity hub in northern France, the Renault 5 combines nostalgia with forward-thinking design, positioning itself as the future city car. Its compact dimensions make it a practical choice for urban environments, while its production reflects a strong commitment to sustainability.
Sustainability at Its Core
Renault has raised the bar for eco-conscious manufacturing with the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric. The car achieves an impressive recyclability rate of 88.6%, with 19.4% of its materials sourced from recycled components and 26.4% from the circular economy.
The ElectriCity production hub, encompassing the Douai, Maubeuge, and Ruitz plants, has been central to this effort. Utilizing Renault Group’s Industrial Metaverse technology, production has become faster, more efficient, and greener. Real-time data and AI integration have reduced energy consumption by 20%, moving the company closer to its goal of carbon neutrality by 2025.
The vehicle and its batteries are assembled in Douai, the historic site of the original Renault 5. The motor is produced in Cléon, while battery modules will come from Douai’s Gigafactory starting in summer 2025.
As Renault aligns sustainability with innovation, the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric not only captures the spirit of the past but paves the way for a greener automotive future.
