Renault 5 E-Tech crowned Autotrader Drivers’ Choice New Car of the Year 2026
The Renault 5 E-Tech has been crowned Autotrader’s New Car of the Year 2026 according to a consumer vote featuring the real-world opinions of more than 160,000 car owners at the ninth annual Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards. The huge number of consumer votes not only makes the awards a genuine reflection of car owner sentiment but also marks the largest automotive vote of its kind.
As Chinese cars continue to grow in popularity on UK roads, their impact on British motorists is already clear, with two brands from the region picking up major awards at this year’s event. Chery won Best Value Brand whilst the BYD Seal U received two awards for Best In-Car Technology and Best Value New Car.
In addition to the Renault 5 taking this year’s most prestigious award, along with Best Car for City Drivers and Most Fun Car to Drive, other notable wins include the Best In-Car Design category (Defender 110), as well as Best Car for New Drivers (Peugeot 208), Best EV for Long Distance (Tesla Model 3), Best Car for Dog Owners (Tesla Model Y), and the Best 7-Seater (Volvo XC90).
Held at HERE at Outernet in central London, the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards are different from other car awards as the majority of winners aren’t decided by the opinions of motoring journalists or ‘industry insiders’, but by the people whose opinion matters most to automotive brands: car owners. This year, over 160,000 UK car owners completed an online survey sharing exactly what they think of their car, with their thoughts and opinions (obtained from real-world experience) determining the winners of 20 of this year’s 24 award categories.
An electric model was crowned the winner of the much-coveted Editor’s Choice Award, which is chosen by Autotrader’s editorial team, led by Editorial Director, Erin Baker. The editorial team’s standout new car this year was the Nissan Leaf. Rory Reid, Autotrader’s YouTube Director and former Top Gear star opted for an all-new and bold luxury SUV with a striking interior. For the YouTube Director Award, he chose the fully electric BMW iX3.
The full list of winners for the Autotrader Drivers’ Choice Awards 2026 is:
What makes these awards so unique is that they bypass the industry bubble and give a direct voice to the people who actually live with these cars day in, day out. This year we had over 160,000 car owners tell us exactly how these cars fit within their lifestyle and seeing electric vehicles sweep so many of the major categories—led by the brilliant Renault 5 E-Tech taking top honours – shows just how much the transition to electric is delivering real joy and practicality for everyday drivers. It’s also exciting to see newer players like BYD and Chery making an undeniable impact, proving that they aren't just entering the UK market, but actively winning over consumers with exceptional value and cutting-edge technology.
Within the survey, car owners who have bought, driven and lived with their cars were asked to rate them according to a range of lifestyle factors. This methodology ensures that these awards are a true reflection of what UK consumers think of their car and what they want from it. People were asked to rate their cars across 16 different criteria, from reliability and performance to appearance and running costs. They were also asked about their overall satisfaction with their car and how likely they would be to recommend it to others. Independent analysts then used this data to determine the finalists for 20 of the categories – the full list of which can be found below.
A full list of winners can also be found here: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/cars/new/awards
Research for Autotrader’s New Car Awards was conducted by Basis Research.
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