Greater than 160,000 UK drivers have named the Renault 5 E-Tech their favourite latest automotive, just weeks after it secured each Latest Automotive of the Yr and Latest EV of the Yr on the AM Awards 2026.
The electrical hatchback was crowned Latest Automotive of the Yr at Autotrader’s Drivers’ Alternative Awards this week, adding further momentum to a model that has already earned recognition from each retailers and consumers.
The Renault 5 also won Best Automotive for City Drivers and Most Fun Automotive to Drive within the consumer-voted awards.
Last month, as Renault’s MD Adam Wood picked up its AM Awards, AM editor Tim Rose said the Renault 5 had turn into “some of the significant latest automotive launches in recent times”, with dealers recognising its mix of design, affordability, technology and showroom appeal.
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From customer experience and aftersales excellence to digital innovation and leadership, discover what set this 12 months’s AM Awards winners apart in our special report.
Dealers and drivers aligned
The most recent results from Autotrader suggest dealers and consumers are closely aligned of their assessment of the Renault 5’s appeal.
The model was Britain’s best-selling electric vehicle in April, based on SMMT registration data, while Renault said electric vehicles accounted for greater than 49% of its UK passenger automotive registrations throughout the month.
Eligible for the Electric Automotive Grant, the Renault 5 E-Tech is now priced from £21,495 on the road and recently gained a one-pedal driving function as standard on techno+ trim levels and above.
Chinese brands gain recognition
The Driver’s Alternative awards also highlighted the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers within the UK market.
Chery was named Best Value Brand, while the BYD Seal U collected awards for Best In-Automotive Technology and Best Value Latest Automotive.
The outcomes reflect the increasing prominence of Chinese brands amongst UK consumers as they proceed to expand their presence in each the retail and fleet sectors.
Tesla also performed strongly, with the Model 3 winning Best EV for Long Distance, the Model Y securing Best Automotive for Families and Best Automotive for Dog Owners, and Tesla being named Most Reliable Brand.
Elsewhere, Defender 110 won Most Loved Automotive and Best In-Automotive Design, Porsche took Best Luxury Automotive and Most Loved Brand, while the Peugeot 208 was named Best Automotive for Latest Drivers.
Consumer ownership experiences drive results
Nearly all of Drivers’ Alternative categories are decided by motorists.
Owners were asked to rate their vehicles across 16 criteria, including reliability, performance, running costs, practicality and overall satisfaction.
Rory Reid, YouTube director at Autotrader, said: “What makes these awards so priceless is that they provide a direct, real-world view of what drivers actually want from their cars.
“This 12 months, greater than 160,000 owners told us how their vehicles perform in on a regular basis life, and the outcomes reveal clear opportunities for retailers.
“EVs proceed to dominate across key categories, led by the Renault 5 E-Tech, showing that for a lot of motorists the switch to electric is now delivering on each practicality and delight.
“At the identical time, the strong performance of newer brands like BYD and Chery underlines just how much value and in-car technology is influencing buyer decisions.
“Clearly, demand is being shaped by value, technology and positive real-world ownership experiences, and the brands and models delivering on these areas are those winning over customers.”
The complete list of winners for the Autotrader Drivers’ Alternative Awards 2026:
- Latest Automotive of the Yr: Renault 5 E-Tech Electric vehicle
- Best Automotive for Families: Tesla Model Y Electric vehicle
- Best Automotive for City Drivers: Renault 5 E-Tech Electric vehicle
- Best Value Latest Automotive: BYD Seal U
- Best EV for Long Distance: Tesla Model 3 Electric vehicle
- Best Automotive for Running Costs: Škoda Enyaq Electric vehicle
- Most Fun Automotive to Drive: Renault 5 E-Tech Electric vehicle
- Best Automotive for Latest Drivers: Peugeot 208
- Best Automotive for Dog Owners: Tesla Model Y Electric vehicle
- Best 7-Seater: Volvo XC90
- Most Loved Automotive: Defender 110
- Best Luxury Automotive: Porsche 911
- Most Loved Brand: Porsche
- Most Reliable Brand: Tesla
- Best In-Automotive Design: Defender 110
- Best In-Automotive Technology: BYD Seal U
- Best Value Brand: Chery
- Editor’s Alternative Award: Nissan Leaf Electric vehicle
- YouTube Director Award: BMW iX3 Electric vehicle
- Sustainability Initiative Award: Toyota
- Best Home Charger: Hypervolt
- Best Public Charging Point: Tesla Supercharger
- Most Anticipated Latest Automotive: Ferrari Luce Electric vehicle
- Media Campaign of the Yr: JLR “House of Brands”
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This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com
