For the 4th consecutive year, Renault has placed a model among the finalists in this competition. And not just any model since it is the Renault 5 e-tech. Who are the six other finalists of this edition?
The 7 finalist cars for the title car of the year 2025 were announced on November 15. This is the opportunity to take a look at the models which caught the attention of the jury of European automotive journalists among the 50 models submitted by the manufacturers. After the Renault Scénic e-tech last year, which of Alfa Romeo, Citroën, Cupra, Dacia, Hyundai, Kia or Renault will obtain the precious title of “Car of the Year” in Europe for 2025? The answer will be known on January 10 at the Brussels show.
With the exception of Fiat in 1995 and 1996, no manufacturer has won Car of the Year two years in a row. However, the Renault teams want to believe it thanks to the R5 e-tech, but what are their chances?
The finalists for the car of the year 2025
The years follow each other, but they are not alike in terms of the finalists for the car of the year trophy. The 2025 edition still has a few surprises in store. Here is the list of finalists:
- Alfa Romeo Junior
- Citroën C3/e-C3
- Cupra Terramar
- Dacia Duster
- Hyundai Inster
- Let’s EV3
- Renault 5 e-tech
Unlike last year, there is no Chinese car finalist this year. However, BYD, MG, Nio and Xpeng had submitted electric models. There are no more Japanese manufacturers, nor even Germans represented in this final.
Even if seven different manufacturers are in the final, there are only four different automobile groups represented: Stellantis (Alfa, Citroën), Renault Group (Dacia, Renault), Hyundai Motor group (Kia, Hyundai) and Volkswagen Group (Cupra) .
In 2022, six of the finalist models were exclusively available in an electric version. This year, three finalists are 100% electric (Hyundai, Kia, Renault), two others are available in thermal or electric (Alfa Romeo and Citroën), finally two models are not available in electric (Cupra and Dacia).
Good chances for Renault?
Faced with the competition, the Renault 5 e-tech may appear to be the model most likely to win the title of car of the year. The R5 has won over both the general public and journalists with its design. The press was fairly unanimous about the technical qualities of the model during the tests of the Renault 5. Be careful, however, not to pop the champagne too prematurely. The race had been close for the 2024 title.
The European jury of this competition does not always distribute points as expected. The Car of the Year election is like Eurovision. If the models are normally judged on technical criteria, sometimes, an element of politics is also involved: national brands often have the votes of local juries. Choosing countries with the most judges, such as Germany, France or the United Kingdom, can tip the rankings.
We should also not underestimate the role of price in the choice of the chosen model. Thus, a Dacia Duster, a Citroën C3 or a Hyundai Inster can win points in their favor. We still want to believe that the Renault 5 e-tech has every chance. The Renault 5 e-tech remains the favorite of many observers, and for good reasons.
Source: www.numerama.com
