Crowning glory: Renault 5 and Alpine A290 named European Car of the Year, beating the Kia EV3 and Hyundai Inster
The 2025 Renault 5 E-Tech and Alpine A290 have both been judged 2025’s European Car of the Year giving the French car-maker its second back-to-back win in the prestigious awards.
Racking up 353 points from a jury of 60 judges from 23 countries, the Renault 5 E-Tech and closely-related Alpine A290 beat the Kia EV3 (291 points) to second place after 25 judges placed the small French hatchbacks in first place.
Sitting third on the podium was the Citroen C3/e-C3 (215), followed by the new Hyundai Inster (172) in fourth, Dacia Duster (168) fifth, Cupra Terramar (165) sixth and the Alfa Romeo Junior (136) in a distant seventh.
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The latest victory for Renault follows last year’s result that saw the Renault Scenic judged the 2024 European Car of the Year.
To qualify for European Car of the Year the model must be all-new, with facelifts like the Tesla Model 3 and Renault Clio ruled out from entering.
Both the Renault 5 E-Tech and wild 375kW 5 Turbo 3E have been confirmed for Australia, both likely to rock up in 2026.
Yet to be locked in for an Australian debut is the Alpine A290, but it’s thought its arrival will be linked with the reborn R5’s and be almost guaranteed thanks to the strong fanbase for the former Renaultsport products.
