European Car Awards 2025: Renault 5 E-Tech Leads a Strong Electric Showing
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric hatchback has won European Car of the Year, according to Auto.ru. It earned 353 points, while the second place went to the Kia EV3 with 291 points, and the Citroën C3 captured bronze with 215 points. Dacia Duster, Hyundai Inster, Cupra Terramar and Alfa Romeo Junior were also among the championship finalists. In this lineup, every finalist is either fully electric or carries electric variants, underscoring a clear shift toward electrification across mainstream segments. This trend mirrors what Canadian and American buyers are increasingly considering as they weigh practical range, charging options, and overall value in daily driving.
Previously the jury of the Women’s Car of the Year competition announced winners in six categories for 2025, according to Auto.ru’s report. The awards highlighted a diverse field that mirrors changing tastes and practical needs in modern city and family mobility. The new MINI Cooper was named the best city car, praised for its nimble handling, compact footprint, retro styling, and modern technology. Among compact crossovers, the Kia EV3 was noted for its solid balance of quality, features, and price. With a similar motivation, the Audi A6 e-tron was chosen as the best large car, reflecting a premium blend of performance, technology, and efficiency.
Hyundai Santa Fe, which became the best large crossover of 2025, stood out in its own right. In the SUV and pickup segments, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado earned top honors, while the Porsche Panamera was crowned the premium sports car of the year. Earlier reports indicate in China XPeng emerged as the best car of the year, beating the popular LiXiang in the Russian Federation, illustrating a wide geographic spread of top performers in the electrified era.