Renault Reviews
The reborn Renault 5 just won UK Car of the Year 2026 — Renault's first-ever victory in the award's top category. Here's what independent road tests actually say across the range.
Genuine Recognition, Not Just Nostalgia
Reviving a beloved old nameplate is an easy way to generate headlines; making the resulting car genuinely good enough to win awards is much harder, and that's exactly what Renault managed with the electric Renault 5. It topped a panel of over 30 UK motoring journalists to take the overall UK Car of the Year title, beating strong electric rivals in the process — a first for Renault in the competition's history, and recognition that went to the driving experience and value on offer, not just the retro styling that got people's attention in the first place.
That success sits alongside a longer-running strength for Renault: the Clio and Captur have both built solid reputations in the UK as sensible, well-priced choices in genuinely competitive segments, even if reviewers don't always rank them at the very top for outright refinement or infotainment polish. The summaries below cover what several independent testers actually found behind the wheel of each model, from established favourites to the brand's newest, most-decorated arrival.
Every Model, One Place
Rather than picking a single opinion and running with it, each review here pulls together several independent road tests and highlights where they agree — and where they don't. Pick a model below to see the full breakdown.
- Renault Clio Review & Summary
- Renault Captur Review & Summary
- Renault Megane E-Tech Review & Summary