The Renault 5 E-Tech electric has been crowned Autotrader’s ‘New Car of the Year’ for 2026, claiming the awards’ highest accolade as part of a triple triumph that also saw it voted ‘Best Car for City Drivers’ and ‘Most Fun Car to Drive’.
The Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards put car owners at the heart of the judging process, with this year’s winners shaped by the views of more than 160,000 UK drivers sharing their real-world experiences of buying, driving and living with their cars.
Owners rated their cars across 16 criteria, from reliability, performance and appearance to running costs, overall satisfaction and how likely they would be to recommend them, making Renault 5 E-Tech electric’s headline win a powerful endorsement from the people who know it best.
Highlighting some of the reasons behind the Renault 5 E-Tech electric’s success, Rory Reid, YouTube Director at Autotrader, said: “The Renault 5 successfully blends distinctive retro-inspired design with modern technology, creating a car that clearly resonates with drivers. Its strong mix of style, usability and affordability has helped it stand out in a highly competitive market. Feedback from owners highlights just how appealing it is to live with day-to-day, combining comfort, driving enjoyment and standout design. It’s this balance of character and practicality that has driven its success, earning it not only New Car of the Year, but also Best Car for City Drivers and Most Fun Car to Drive.”
Adam Wood, Managing Director, Renault UK, said: “Awards judged by owners always carry special significance because they reflect the reality of living with a car every day. To see Renault 5 E-Tech electric voted New Car of the Year by UK drivers is a great achievement in itself, but to see it also recognised as the best car for city drivers and the most fun car to drive shows just how broadly its appeal extends, and why it has captured the imagination and hearts of so many people since its launch.”
This is the second year in a row that Renault has claimed a triple victory at the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards, after a standout performance in 2025 resulted in awards for Renault 5 E-Tech electric, Scenic E-Tech electric and the Renault Group as a whole.
Priced from £21,495 OTR including the full Electric Car Grant, Renault 5 E-Tech electric reimagines one of Renault’s most iconic models for a new generation. Combining unmistakable design with accessible electric mobility, it brings the spirit of the original Renault 5 into the modern era and continues to attract widespread acclaim from customers and critics alike.
The Renault 5 E-Tech electric has quickly established itself as a best-seller. It has topped the list for EV retail registrations for several months since launch and in April was also the number one most popular EV overall.