'Cutting-edge’ Renault ‘Car of the Year’ with model now outselling Tesla
A popular Renault hatchback, dubbed by experts as a “cutting-edge” model, has been named the new Car of the Year. The new fully-electric Renault 5 is certainly catching the attention of consumers, with the plucky hatchback now praised by judges at the Association of Scottish Motoring Writers (ASMW). The Renault 5 E-Tech was first unveiled back in early 2024, with its first UK customer deliveries starting earlier this year. The model has enjoyed breakout success in year one, with data showing the car was the UK’s best-selling electric car in October, beating the Tesla Model Y. Ally Ballingall, President of the ASMW, highlighted the Renault 5’s "nimble" handling, “compact size” and “tech-rich” cabin as making it stand out from its competitors. Ally explained: “The Renault 5 has been crowned Scottish Car of the Year 2025, impressing judges with its unique fusion of iconic style and cutting-edge electric technology. Its retro-inspired design captures the spirit of the original while delivering a thoroughly modern driving experience. Praised for its lively performance and effortless handling, the Renault 5 offers genuine fun behind the wheel.“Its compact size and nimble agility make it perfect for Scotland’s varied roads and city streets. Inside, the clever use of space and quality materials create a comfortable, tech-rich cabin. Exceptional efficiency and good practicality for its size round out its appeal, making it an ideal everyday car. “With its blend of charm, innovation, and driving dynamics, the Renault 5 stood out from a competitive field. It’s a deserving winner that combines heritage with forward-thinking design.”The Renault 5 E-Tech is equipped with a 52 kWh comfort-range battery which can provide up to 250 miles of range on a single charge. Performance varies by model but the Renault 5 can typically hit 0-62mph between 7.2 and 9 seconds. However, the model has a top speed of 93 mph which is electronically limited to help boost the car’s range. The Renault 5 is also one of the most affordable electric models around, with electric prices starting from just £21,495. Adam Wood, Managing Director and Country Head Renault Group UK, said: “It's a huge honour to become the first manufacturer to win the overall ‘Scottish Car of the Year’ title two years in a row. “It’s a clear signal of the fun, accessibility and sheer style that the Renault 5 brings to the UK market, and, following last year’s success for Scenic E-Tech electric, underlines the strength and depth of our new pure electric line-up.”
