Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland; Seamus Morgan, Renault Ireland; and Mark Noble, MMAI Chairman; with the Renault 5, Irish Car of the Year 2026.

Retro charm reborn

Irish Car of the Year Awards 2026

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The Ford e Transit was named Electric Van of the Year.

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The VW Transporter was named Panel Van of the Year.

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The Toyota Landcruiser was named Commercial 4x4 of the Year.

Published: Thu 20 Nov 2025, 4:27 PM

- Joe Rayfus -

The grand ballroom of the Conrad Hotel in Dublin had that familiar mix of anticipation and quiet confidence this afternoon as the Irish Car of the Year awards reached their finale. After months of driving, scoring and comparing every new model launched during the year, the members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland made their decision.

The Renault 5, a car that blends a beloved past with a thoroughly modern future, was named Irish Car of the Year for 2026 in association with Continental Tyres.

There was a genuine sense of delight in the room when the winner was announced. Plenty of cars impressed in different ways over the last year, but the Renault 5 managed to strike a chord that went beyond numbers and specifications. It brings back a shape and charm many Irish drivers remember fondly, yet it wraps that nostalgia in a clean electric platform and sharp modern styling.

This win also marks the sixth year in a row that an electric vehicle has taken the top Irish award. That run now feels less like a streak and more like the new reality of Irish motoring. The shift to clean motoring is no longer an ambition or a projection. It is already on the road in towns and cities across the country, and buyers are taking to it faster than many expected.

Speaking at the event, MMAI Chairman Mark Noble captured the mood well. He praised the Renault 5 for its blend of retro influence and contemporary capability, noting that it impressed jurors with its character, its driving feel and its usable electric range. He described it as stylish and accessible and a worthy winner of the top Irish title.

Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres also reflected on the journey the market has taken. He pointed out that six consecutive electric winners tell a clear story. For Irish buyers, the appeal of clean, quiet and low-cost motoring has grown every year, and the Renault 5 arrives at exactly the right moment as the industry heads into another busy January sales period.

As always, the main award is only part of the wider picture. Jurors spent the year assessing every eligible new arrival and selecting the best in each category. The class winners for 2026 show the breadth of the modern market, from compact electric hatches to large family machines and pure performance heroes.

Nearly every one of this year's top models carry some degree of electrification, a clear sign of where manufacturers are putting their energy and investment. The mix of brands is also telling. Established names are holding strong, but new players, especially those with fresh electric platforms, are winning attention and awards.

Commercial vehicles had their own moment at the ceremony. The title of Irish Van of the Year 2026 went to the new Volkswagen Transporter. It has long been a favourite of tradesmen and fleet operators throughout Ireland, and the latest version shows the same focus on solid engineering and everyday usability that helped build its reputation in the first place.

The Irish Car and Van of the Year awards remain the most trusted benchmark for excellence in the Irish motor industry. Jurors drive all the eligible cars on Irish roads throughout the year, in real traffic and real weather, and that experience informs every mark and every category result. There is no substitute for time behind the wheel, and that is what gives these awards their weight.

For Renault, today’s result is a significant moment. The original Renault 5 was once a common sight on Irish roads, owned by families, first time drivers and anyone who wanted a small and cheerful runabout. The new version returns with the same personality but with a completely modern powertrain and a design that captures the spirit of the past without feeling trapped by it.

At a time when many cars can feel a little serious or overly digital, the Renault 5 brings back something that has been missing for a while. It has charm. It has character. It brings a smile. And as the jurors made clear today, that counts a great deal.

The Irish Car of the Year title is not only a celebration of engineering and innovation. It is also a celebration of how a car makes you feel. The Renault 5 has managed to combine the warmth of memory with the promise of the future, and that is why it now carries Ireland’s most respected automotive award.

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

Irish Small Car of the Year: Hyundai Inster

Irish Compact Car of the Year: Renault 5

Irish Medium Car and Crossover of the Year: Kia EV3

Irish Medium SUV of the Year: Dacia Bigster

Irish Large Car and SUV of the Year: BYD Sealion 7

Irish Seven 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

Irish Car-Derived Van of the Year: Jeep Avenger

Irish Electric Van of the Year: Ford eTransit