The new all-electric Renault 5 was named as the 2026 Irish Car of the Year in association with Continental Tyres at a function in Dublin this week.
Members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), the grouping that brings together some 29 of Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists, hosted the awards event attended by Ireland’s leading car brands, importers and distributors. The awards are voted on by the members of the MMAI who individually assess each new car model launched in Ireland each year.
It is now the sixth year in a row that an all‑electric vehicle has been voted Irish Car of the Year, underlining the rapid transformation of the Irish car market and the growing appeal of zero‑emissions motoring.
The field of eligible cars for this year’s awards was broken down into nine categories, with the overall winner selected from the category champions. The Irish Car of the Year awards, the oldest and most reputable automotive award title in Ireland, remain the benchmark for excellence in the industry, guiding Irish motorists towards the best new models each year.
The Irish Car of the Year 2026 category winners:
Irish Small Car of the Year: Hyundai Inster
Irish Compact Car of the Year: Renault 5
Irish Medium Car / Crossover of the Year: Kia EV3
Irish Medium SUV of the Year: Dacia Bigster
Irish Large Car / SUV of the Year: BYD Sealion 7
Irish 7 Seater of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 9
Irish Premium Car of the Year: Volvo EX90
Irish Performance Compact Car of the Year: MG Cyberster
Irish Performance Car of the Year: BMW M5
In the Irish Van of the Year awards programme for 2026, the overall Irish Van of the Year title was awarded to the Volkswagen Transporter at the same event.
Mark Noble, Chairman of the MMAI, said: “Congratulations to Renault on the success of the Renault 5, what an achievement, coming as it does on the back of last year’s win for the Scenic E-Tech Electric. The new Renault 5 really impressed our jurors with its blend of retro‑inspired design, modern driving dynamics, and practical electric range. It’s a stylish, accessible EV that brings innovation and character to the market, and a very worthy winner of the Irish Car of the Year title.”
Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres, added: “We are proud to again support the Irish Car of the Year awards, which continue to highlight, year by year, the very best cars available to Irish motorists. The fact that the Renault 5 is the sixth consecutive electric vehicle to win the overall title shows clearly how the market is shifting. With its distinctive design and the benefits of zero‑emissions driving, the win for the Renault 5 is a fantastic boost for the brand as it heads into the busy January sales period.”
