The new Renault 5 electric car is Europe’s Car of the Year for 2025. Seeing off competition from six other finalists, the Renault – and its derivative from sister brand Alpine – was voted the best new car from an initial list of 42 new models by 60 jurors from 23 European countries.
The prestigious prize, which has been running since 1964, compares any new model launched within the 12 months prior to the award, and as long as they are on sale in several European nations. Each jury member has 25 points to allocate across the seven finalists, with a maximum of 10 points for any one car and you have to vote for at least five cars. Unlike other such competitions, all the jury votes are made public.
In the final voting the Renault had a decisive win, garnering 353 points, ahead of the Kia EV3 on 291 points, followed by the Citroën C3/ëC3 with 215 points. Fourth place went to Dacia’s new Duster (172 points), just four points ahead of the Hyundai Inster (168 points) in fifth place. Sixth in the list was the Cupra Terramar (165 points) and seventh the Alfa Romeo Junior, with 136 points.
Judges look for a variety of factors, including innovation, driving pleasure, functionality, value for money and whether it sets new standards compared to its direct rivals.
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For the first time in many years, each of the seven finalists for car of the year could justifiably have taken the prestigious title, from the new Dacia Duster, which delivers incredible value for family motoring, to the Renault 5, which epitomises the motor industry’s current retro revivalist mode.
[ Review: Renault 5 delivers retro fun and a nippy driveOpens in new window ]
During the year, the eligible cars undergo various tests, not only by jury members in their own countries but at group test events organised by the jury. One such is the well-respected Tannis test in northern Denmark. The week-long test event every autumn puts dozens of the new cars through their paces on public roads plus specific safety and handling tests at a nearby airfield.
The tests have a proven impact within the industry, and there are cases where changes to new models have been introduced after a car’s poor performance in the likes of the Tannis handling test, known as the Elk Test.
Other tests take place across Europe, organised by various local jury members, at renowned motoring locations such as Silverstone and the Balocco test track.
Earlier this week the seven finalist cars were tested at an event organised by the jury at the Circuit Jules Tacheny Mettet, southeast of Charleroi in Belgium. There the jury members got the chance to compare the cars on the track and on public roads before casting their final votes.
For what it’s worth, here is how I voted in the competition for Europe’s Car of the Year 2025 and my reasons for doing so.
Alfa Romeo Junior
3 points
Alfa’s Junior manages to mix electric power in a crossover format, while still retaining the essence of driving fun that defines the brand. It shouldn’t work, but it really does, particularly in the all-electric format. While it’s based on the solid foundations of a past winner, the Jeep Avenger, trying to shoehorn Alfra traits into a competitively priced electric crossover was always going to require compromise, mainly in the stiffer ride of the hybrid version.
In the EV, the battery with 51kWh of usable output, ideally would deliver better economy, and the Junior’s cabin finish could be more premium.
While it is meant as a cash cow to cover the development costs of future “sleeker Alfas”, the all-electric Junior delivers enough fun to win over even ardent petrolhead alfisti.
Citroën ë-C3
1 point
Unsurprisingly the chief calling card of this new Citroën is comfort. Fittingly the French car maker has created a four-seat city supermini – styled with SUV traits – that’s roomy enough for four adults with space for shopping and packing enough pep to zip around city streets. Yet there’s nothing thrilling about this car, either in its styling, its rather drab interior or its driving characteristics. Up against the Inster, it just lacks some of the Korean’s quirkier character or its price point.
Cupra Terramar
1 point
This sporty Spanish spin-off from Seat has surprised many motoring pundits. Initially regarded as something of a cynical marketing exercise by the VW Group, the Cupra range has found its niche: in layman’s terms if Skoda sells better-priced Volkswagens, then Cupra sells affordable Audis.
Just like its premium sibling, Cupra defines its character on sharp styling, quality cabins and a dynamic drive. While the Terramar is basically a revamped Skoda Kodiaq/VW Tiguan, those are strong foundations upon which to build, and Cupra has done just that. We were already taken by the new Tiguan, and the Terramar only adds to that appeal. Its difficulty is that, as with Kia’s EV3, as yet another mid-sized crossover it lacks the spark to stand out in this crowd.
Dacia Duster
My score: 4 points
In a world where new car prices make your eyes water, the latest Dacia Duster remains true to its core mission of providing just enough of what you need and nothing you don’t. So it’s just spacious enough for four, has a boot that’s just big enough, and three engine choices that have just enough power and performance, and plenty enough fuel economy. All for a price that mere mortals can actually afford. That’s what put it in our top three this year. No longer just the budget buy, it’s now a proper mainstream player, though the Duster’s hybrid system still lacks the sophistication of rivals.
[ New Dacia Duster: Great value returns in a much prettier packageOpens in new window ]
Hyundai Inster
My score: 8 points
Hyundai’s Inster is one of the big surprises of the year. This little car has more to offer than quirky styling: it’s an incredibly spacious with a cabin finish that’s worthy of a smart family saloon. While it’s not exactly sporty, it is nimble around tight city streets.
From its immense headroom to its refined driving characteristics and impressively equipped cabin, the Inster delivers. Throw in the sub-€19,000 entry price in Ireland (even the bigger battery version still comes in below €22,000) and you have one of the lowest-priced new cars on the Irish market. Multiple surveys show many motorists are eager to try electric, but baulk at the price point and value for money proposition. This car might just be the answer.
There is no doubting that the Renault is more fun to drive, far more stylish and retro cool.
The Inster is cheeky and quirky, but hardly good looking. It’s a bit of an oddball. Yet it delivers so much in terms of space, flexibility, tech features and all at a low price point. That’s too hard to ignore, even when Renault lathers on the sentimentality. The Renault will be a sales hit for those who rarely use the rear seats. It will certainly eat into Mini’s market, that other merchant of the retro trope. But the Hyundai Inster is my pick of the bunch.
[ Hyundai Inster: Small EV with a big personality set to shine in 2025Opens in new window ]
Kia EV3
My score: 1 point
Kia’s EV3 may lack the flamboyance of some of its rivals here, but it’s incredibly comfortable and competent. Sometimes that’s exactly what people want. Yet in the face of so many similarly-styled and equally competent competitors, this worthy and super-practical EV lacks that element of excitement or character that makes its sibling, the EV6, stand out from the crowd.
Renault 5/Alpine A290
My score: 7 points
Renault 5 is the metal embodiment of the revivalist trope. It’s as much cultural artefact as car, engineered to signal its retro credentials while also claiming to embody the future. The retro trope is so potent because it’s a cultural magpie, plucking the shiny bits of the past and leaving behind the grim realities of 1980s motoring. It’s telling you the future doesn’t have to be scary.
In fact, this is a smart electric car that delivers high quality interior, smooth and dynamic driving, plus a rush of sportiness if you opt for the Alpine A290 version. It’s not without flaws though: the Alpine struggles to justify the expected higher price, while both cars have very restricted rear seat legroom. The reality is that like that – like the Mini, motoring’s most successful retro trope trigger – this Renault is aimed at people who value panache over practicality.
From the front seats it’s a great car. From the back it’s just too cramped. For a start this should have been a four-seater. And the rear seats should have a sliding function to make use any spare boot space.
Of the seven finalists, two cars stood out for me over the rest: the Renault 5 and the Hyundai Inster. There is no doubting that the Renault is more fun to drive, far more stylish and retro cool.
The Inster is cheeky and quirky, but hardly good looking. It’s a bit of an oddball. Yet it delivers so much in terms of space, flexibility, tech features and all at a price point on the Irish market that makes it one of the lowest priced cars on sale. That’s too hard to ignore, even when Renault layers the sentimentality. The Renault will be a sales hit for those who rarely use the rear seats. It will certainly eat into Mini’s market, that other merchant of the retro trope. But the Hyundai Inster was my pick of the bunch.
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