Renault’s retro 5 E-Tech electric car and its Alpine A290 performance sibling have both been named European Car of the Year 2025. The announcement was made at the Brussels Motor Show.
Usually, the European COTY is announced at Geneva, later in the year, but with the demise of the Geneva Motor Show, a new tradition starts.
This is a double victory for Renault, following the Scenic E-tech electric, which took the title last year. Incidentally, the Scenic also took the Continental Tyres Irish Car of the Year title late last year.
Both cars are built on the same AmpR small platform, which underpins a number of electric cars in the Renault Group.
In the first round of voting, which took place last November, the Renault duo were joined by five other finalists: Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë-C3/C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster and Kia EV3.
The winning duo was chosen by 60 motoring journalists from 23 countries. Renault 5 E-Tech electric and Alpine A290 took first place with 353 points, becoming the 8th Renault to take the European title, joining the 16 (1966), 9 (1982), Clio I (1991), Scenic (1997), Megane (2003), Clio III(2006) and Scenic E-Tech electric (2024). It’s a first win for Alpine, Renault’s performance division.
