Northern Group of Motoring Writers Car of the Year 2025

The Northern Group of Motoring Writers has crowned the Renault 5 its Car of the Year 2025. It was a close run thing with a mere seven votes separating the top three, with the Kia EV3 just two votes adrift of the Renault.

The result was so close that the group’s Car of the Year committee awarded Kia’s latest electrified model a badge of honour in the shape of a Highly Commended accolade. The Skoda Elroq was just five votes behind the Kia in third place.

For many members, it was a close run thing for second place between the EV3 and Elroq, cars that fulfil very similar roles and do their job extremely well. But it is the new Renault 5 which has been awarded the Northern Group’s coveted ‘Arthur’ trophy for 2025 – a brass miner’s lamp, nicknamed after one-time miners’ union leader Arthur Scargill.

No fewer than 48 new or substantially revised models were originally listed for the award and this was whittled down to a shortlist of six ahead of the final vote. Every NGMW member who drove the Renault 5 came away impressed. Tom Sharpe said:

“Who would have thought, 40 years after nestling in the back of my mum’s old Renault 5 (affectionately known as the ‘green bullet’) on the school run, that another green Renault 5 would spark a desire to own an EV? The new incarnation of the French hatchback is extremely stylish and desirable. However, it was the ride and handling that I appreciated most. Great fun.”

Group chairman, Andy Harris said:
“The new Renault 5 stands out because it blends retro charm with genuinely modern engineering. It is not just a nostalgic re-skin, but a well thought out electric supermini that works in the real world. Crucially, it is priced to undercut many rivals while still offering proper range, fast-charging capability and decent tech. That mix of style, usability, efficiency and price is why it got the nod from me.”

There was plenty of praise for the Kia EV3’s abilities, as well. Group secretary, Alan Domville, noted:
“It is well priced, roomy for a ‘small’ SUV with lots of storage space too – and its range of up to almost 300 miles with the smaller battery is most acceptable.”

The award will be presented to the Renault PR team in the New Year.