Retro-styled Renault 5 named 2025 European Car of the Year

The original Renault 5 was one of the French automotive industry's biggest success stories. Originally an after-hours thought experiment by young designer Michel Boué, 'Le Cinq' came to define the supermini segment with over nine million sold across its two generations.

2024 saw Renault bring back the original 5's looks for an all-new electric supermini, with the deliciously '70s-styled model picking up one of the most prestigious awards in motoring: European Car of the Year.

If you weren't already aware, this is the proof that retro looks are well and truly back in fashion!

This new R5 has been described as "an object that delights nostalgists" due to its throwback looks (Image: Renault)

Officially the Renault 5 E-Tech, and also sold by sister company Alpine as the hotted-up A290, the EV hatch twins beat out the Alfa Romeo Junior, Citroën ë-C3/C3, Cupra Terramar, Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster and Kia EV3 on the way to the title.

The judging was handled by a panel of 60 motoring journalists from 23 European countries and presented at the Brussels Motor Show in Belgium.

Among those, Paul Horrell, one of the judges and a journalist for Top Gear, calling the R5, "An object that delights nostalgists, while also being hugely attractive to those who don't remember." Praise was also offered to its refined ride quality and strong value proposition.

A high-performance variant dubbed the A290 is also offered by Renault's sister company, Alpine, which was given co-billing for the award (Image: Alpine)

Andrew English from The Telegraph echoed similar sentiments in his verdict: "Great to look at, genuinely different, efficient and fun to drive."

This marks the second year in a row that Renault has claimed the award, after the 2024 title went to the Scenic E-Tech, while also tallying as the brand's eighth gong since the Renault 16 won it in 1966. Curiously, the original Renault 5 wasn't one of those other recipients.

Unfortunately for us in Australia, neither the Renault 5 E-Tech nor the Alpine A290 are currently available in our market. In markets such as the UK, prices start at £22,995 which equates to A$45,660 in our currency.

This win marks the eighth time Renault has taken home the prestigious European Car of the Year award, although curiously, the original R5 wasn't one of the other recipients (Image: Renault)