Renault has claimed one of the highest honours at the 2026 Autocar Awards, after the brand was named ‘Best Manufacturer’ while the Renault Twingo E-Tech electric added a second major win as ‘Best Small Car’.
The double award is a powerful endorsement of Renault’s direction, recognising not only the strength of its latest models but the renewed confidence running through the brand as a whole. Autocar praised Renault’s focused E-Tech electric and hybrid strategy, its growing presence in key segments and the way its modern icons have brought warmth, colour and personality to electrification.
Explaining Renault’s ‘Best Manufacturer’ win, Mark Tisshaw, Autocar’s Editor, said: “Renault has its swagger back. The brand has chosen a confident path, focused on EVs and full hybrids, expanded its offering in the crucial C-segment and shown – with the Renault 5, Renault 4 and Twingo – that small electric cars can be affordable, fun and desirable. Its progress is backed by commercial achievement, including strong sales growth and EV performance well ahead of ZEV mandate requirements. Renault’s turnaround has been rapid, but it has also been hard-earned.”
Renault Twingo E-Tech electric added to the brand’s success by being named ‘Best Small Car’. Combining a compact footprint, cheerful design and thoughtful everyday usability, Twingo E-Tech electric brings character and practicality to the A-segment while targeting a starting price of less than £20,000.
Tisshaw added: “Renault has already rejuvenated two brilliant small cars for the electric age, and with the latest Twingo it has made it a hat-trick. It looks and feels more complete than its promised sub-£20,000 positioning suggests, with a bright, airy interior, clever sliding rear seats, thoughtful boot storage and premium touches where they matter. It is good to drive, too, with fine body control, a composed ride and a sense of fun and involvement that brings colour back to budget motoring.”
Adam Wood, Managing Director, Renault UK, said: “These awards recognise Renault’s commitment to sustainable mobility and our unique brand DNA, offering desirable, efficient and accessible vehicles, with a unique ability to bring a smile. Twingo is the perfect example of this, while the Best Manufacturer award recognises the strength and depth of our strategy across a wide range of market segments and powertrains, from 100% electric to full hybrid.”
Renault Twingo E-Tech electric – dubbed ‘Le Frog’ thanks to its striking front-end design – combines a compact, city-ready footprint with technology and features typically associated with larger segments. A lively 60kW electric motor and 27.5kWh LFP battery prioritise efficiency and low running costs, while One Pedal driving (depending on trim level) and the availability of OpenR Link with Google built-in support effortless day-to-day driving.
Customers keen to secure early access when orders open later this year can purchase a Renault Twingo R Pass, priced at £100. It provides priority ordering, exclusive updates and a range of unique benefits including a miniature Twingo, a distinctive green Renault key cover and access to a dedicated concierge service.