{"id":188545,"date":"2025-11-19T07:17:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T07:17:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/188545\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T07:17:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T07:17:13","slug":"irish-car-of-the-year-2026-is-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/188545\/","title":{"rendered":"Irish Car of the Year 2026 is revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-91174671_secondary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom4 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop4\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\" data-testid=\"title-summary\">All-electric Renault 5 wins top prize at motoring awards\n<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres, Renault\u2019s Seamus Morgan and the MMAI\u2019s Mark Noble with the Renault 5, Irish Car of the Year 2026\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SN ICOY Renault 5.jpg\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres, Renault\u2019s Seamus Morgan and the MMAI\u2019s Mark Noble with the Renault 5, Irish Car of the Year 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"BMW M5\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/SN BMW M5.jpg\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">BMW M5<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dacia Bigster was named Medium SUV of the Year\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ff5fc608-23e9-4c48-b7df-9a7e15676c0f.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Dacia Bigster was named Medium SUV of the Year<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dacia Bigster\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sn Dacia Bigster_Cropped.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Dacia Bigster<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"BMW M5\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763536632_489_SN BMW M5.jpg\" loading=\"eager\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">BMW M5<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The super-funky, all-electric Renault 5 has scooped the 2026 Irish Car of the Year award in association with Continental Tyres.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">This is the sixth year in a row that a BEV has taken the accolade and, more importantly, double bubble for the French car giant, which saw the Scenic take the top prize last year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The great and the good of the motoring world gathered at a glitzy bash in the Conrad Hotel last weekend, when print and digital journalists voted for their favourites.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Bachelors Walk actor and car enthusiast Simon Delaney was on hand to act as master of ceremonies at the event, which is the highlight of the industry calendar in Ireland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Mark Noble, chairman of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), said: \u201cCongratulations to Renault on the success of the Renault 5. What an achievement, coming as it does on the back of last year\u2019s win for the Scenic E-Tech Electric.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dacia Bigster was named Medium SUV of the Year\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/1763536633_784_ff5fc608-23e9-4c48-b7df-9a7e15676c0f.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Dacia Bigster was named Medium SUV of the Year<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cThe new Renault 5 really impressed our jurors with its blend of retro\u2011inspired design, modern driving dynamics and practical electric range. It\u2019s a stylish, accessible EV that brings innovation and character to the market and is a very worthy winner of the Irish Car of the Year title.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Tom Dennigan, of awards sponsor Continental Tyres, added: \u201cWe 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cThe 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\u2011emissions driving, the win for the Renault 5 is a fantastic boost for the brand as it heads into the busy January sales period.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">The field of eligible cars for this year\u2019s awards was broken down into nine categories, with the overall winner selected from the category champions. There was also an award on the day for Service to the Industry, which was handed to Frank Cullen, who founded Cullen Communications and has been synonymous with the motor industry in Ireland for over four decades.<\/p>\n<p>Category winners:<\/p>\n<ul data-testid=\"content-list\" class=\"indo-3ee38419_root indo-3ee38419_bullet indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-a58b1f03_root\">\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Small Car of the Year: Hyundai Inster<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Compact Car of the Year: Renault 5<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Medium Car \/ Crossover of the Year: Kia EV3<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Medium SUV of the Year: Dacia Bigster<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Large Car \/ SUV of the Year: BYD Sealion 7<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Seven-seater of the Year: Hyundai Ioniq 9<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Premium Car of the Year: Volvo EX90<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Performance Compact Car of the Year: MG Cyberster<\/li>\n<li class=\"indo-3ee38419_listitemroot\">Performance Car of the Year: BMW M5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"All-electric Renault 5 wins top prize at motoring awards Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres, Renault\u2019s Seamus Morgan and&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":188546,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[73],"tags":[27674,79,26607,31867,18,8299,19,17,55418,105628,44701,24695],"class_list":{"0":"post-188545","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business","8":"tag-bmw","9":"tag-business","10":"tag-byd","11":"tag-dacia","12":"tag-eire","13":"tag-hyundai","14":"tag-ie","15":"tag-ireland","16":"tag-kia","17":"tag-mg","18":"tag-renault","19":"tag-volvo"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/115575144837906997","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=188545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/188545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/188546"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=188545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=188545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=188545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}