What's all this about?

The sensational Renault 5 E-Tech has won the UK Car of the Year (UKCOTY) award for 2026. I'm not going to mess around here, because while this might be the obvious conclusion that should be drawn from the shortlist of eight brilliant vehicles which were potentially in the running for the gong, it's entirely the right outcome. Indeed, I even threatened physical violence upon any other judges who didn't vote for the Reggie.

That's nice of you.

I'm ever the professional.

So did you intimidate the panel into choosing the Renault, then?

I hardly needed to, because inasmuch as something can be a runaway success, then this voting process was it. Fully 20 of the 33 judges voted for the 5 E-Tech in the end, and considering the strength of the opposition then that's quite an astonishing show of domination by the French EV.

But there are 13 judges now on your hitlist?

Their cards are marked, for sure.

Moving on. Where did the rest of the contenders place?

Well, the runner-up was the Kia EV4, while third place went jointly to the Skoda Elroq and then the hot version of the Renault 5, Alpine's A290. So, in effect, the compact Gallic machine was so good that it kind of won, twice over.

The EV4, by the way, can count itself unlucky to have come up against the 5 E-Tech, because ordinarily it might have strolled to victory - as two of its close electric relations had won at UKCOTY in the previous two years. Those machines were the EV9 seven-seat SUV, which went gold in 2024, before the shrunken version of the same thing, the EV3, triumphed 12 months ago. So the EV4 was on for the hat-trick, although in the end a runner-up spot ought to be some comfort, at least.

What was some of the reaction to the Renault's win like?

Adam Wood, the managing director of Renault UK, was understandably delighted. He added: "With so many experienced automotive journalists voting for R5 as the UK Car of the Year, the award is something we're very proud of. It has really hit the spot with retail and fleet customers - and with 2026 being the first full year of sales, plus it being one of the very few EVs to qualify for the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, R5 is well on its way to being a very common sight on our roads."

Meanwhile, John Challen, the co-chairman of UKCOTY, said: "With its retro styling, the new Renault 5 tugs at the heart strings of those drivers who experienced the original. By adding an immensely fun and entertaining drive, desirability and affordability to that nostalgic element, the French favourite pulled off a resounding victory to be crowned UK Car of the Year 2026."

This year's awards were sponsored by Start Rescue, and managing director Lee Puffett said: "Many congratulations to Renault from everyone at Start Rescue. The Renault 5 is a very worthy winner, absolutely full of character, affordable and fun to drive as well. We are delighted that our support for the UK Car of the Year Awards has begun with such an outstanding car."

Excellent news. Presumably, you're now going out to target the 13 who didn't vote for the R5?

No comment.

Matt Robinson - 26 Feb 2026