The Renault 5 E-Tech has been named UK Car of the Year 2026, underlining the increasing importance of smaller electric vehicles as fleets and company car schemes transition away from petrol models. The award is decided by a panel of UK motoring journalists, with the Renault 5 securing the overall title after first winning the Small Car category.
The unique appeal
The Renault 5’s appeal lies in its positioning as a practical electric supermini that can replace traditional petrol hatchbacks used for urban and mixed mileage driving. As businesses look to lower emissions while managing running costs and driver usability, smaller EVs like this are becoming more relevant for company car lists.
A choice of batteries
The Renault 5 is offered with two battery options, starting with a 40 kWh pack delivering around 192 miles of range, while the larger 52 kWh battery increases official range to 252 miles depending on specification.
This places the car firmly in the urban and commuter category, where most drivers can complete typical daily mileage without needing to recharge during the day, particularly where home or workplace charging is available.
The Renault 5 also supports up to 11 kW AC charging for home or workplace use and DC rapid charging of up to around 100 kW, allowing a charge from 15 to 80 percent in under 30 minutes.
Value proposition
Pricing is another factor behind the car’s strong reception. With UK pricing starting from just over £21,000 including the Electric Car Grant, the Renault 5 enters the market at a relatively accessible point for a fully electric vehicle while still offering modern infotainment systems, driver assistance technology and a practical hatchback layout.
French flair
Renault has also revived key styling elements from the original Renault 5 while building the new model on a dedicated electric platform, combining retro visual cues with modern EV technology and efficiency.
For fleets reviewing smaller electric cars, the Renault 5’s combination of compact size, usable range and competitive pricing helps explain why it has attracted attention from both journalists and business buyers.
Check out our leasing rates on the Renault 5.
