Renault scores a hat trick at the Auto Express New Car Awards

• Renault wins a trio of awards at the Auto Express 2021 New Car Awards
• Zoe E-Tech claims the title of ‘Affordable Electric Car of the Year’
• Clio awarded ‘Supermini of the Year’
• Captur wins the ‘Small SUV of the Year’ category
• All three models have won the awards for the second consecutive year

The Zoe E-Tech won ‘Affordable Electric Car of the Year’, with the Clio and Captur taking top honours in the ‘Supermini of the Year’ and ‘Small SUV of the Year’ categories, respectively. It is the second consecutive year that all three models have won the hard-fought awards.

At a time when more and more drivers are considering a 100 per cent electric car, the value of the Zoe E-Tech was haloed by Auto Express after its expert judging panel were won over most notably by its impressive range, which for many drivers means it can comfortably serve as their only car.

On awarding Europe’s best-selling electric car, Steve Fowler, Editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said: 

Underlining its affordability, the multi award-winning Zoe E-Tech is available from £27,595 on-the-road after the PiCG. Customers can choose from Play, Iconic and GT Line levels of trim, with each offering a comprehensive standard specification. In addition, drivers also have the peace-of-mind that all new Zoe models come with a five-year/100,000-mile warranty, plus an eight-year 100,000-mile battery warranty.

Although facing stiff competition from some of the most popular cars in the UK, the Clio successfully defended its ‘Supermini of the Year’ title after impressing Auto Express with its attractive mix of practicality and levels of comfort and equipment that are more akin to larger, more expensive vehicles.

Speaking of the magazine’s decision to once again name the Clio as its supermini champion, Steve Fowler added:

“Renault's Clio retains its top spot in the supermini class this year, beating some really tough contenders. One of the Clio’s strongest points is its practicality, which can even rival some family hatchbacks, and the interior in general is a high point because it comes with all the tech you need. We really like the Clio’s 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo engine, which has enough power to keep up with traffic, but boasts low running costs. It’s also comfortable, refined and remains affordable.”

The fifth-generation Clio raised the bar in the small car sector when it was introduced in 2019, quickly setting new standards for quality, technology and practicality. Priced from £16,200 on-the-road, it offers a premium feel with the latest technology, and has been recently updated to include Renault’s E-Tech hybrid technology for reduced emissions and improved fuel economy.

Completing the trio of wins, the Captur once again took top spot in the small SUV category after Auto Express singled it out for its value, versatility and technology, including the availability of electrified hybrid powertrains.Steve Fowler added: “The Renault Captur grabs a second consecutive win in the Small SUV category in 2021. And like last year this practical, comfortable and great-value car is a winner for many of the same reasons as the Clio it shares its platform with. The Captur is a bit larger than the Clio, but it’s still an affordable offering that delivers plenty of space, the option of hybrid powertrains, and advanced technology. In fact, the Captur is strong in all the key areas for a small SUV, so it’s already lined up for success, while its affordability – especially on finance – seals the win.”

The second-generation Captur, available from £19,300 on-the-road, builds on the original’s best-selling formula with significant advancements in driving aids, connectivity and comfort. The formula was improved this year with the addition of Renault’s E-Tech plug-in hybrid powertrain, delivering CO2 emissions of just 114g/km and fuel economy of 56.6mpg (WLTP).

Vincent Tourette, Managing Director, Renault Group UK, said: “We are delighted to see our small car offering continue to win their categories in these widely-respected awards, especially as their sectors are now becoming more and more competitive and the vehicles increasingly advanced. It’s a great illustration of our strength and vast experience in manufacturing compact vehicles that meet the evolving mobility habits of drivers while always providing them with exceptional value and an engaging ownership experience.”

The annual Auto Express New Car Awards honour the very best vehicles that today’s car buyers can choose from, with this year’s online event spanning 30 categories to fully cover all the automotive stars in the increasingly diverse modern car market. This year’s awards can be viewed at www.autoexpress.co.uk