Members of the Motoring Media Association of Ireland (MMAI), the grouping that brings together some 29 of Ireland’s most experienced motoring journalists, hosted the awards event attended by Ireland’s leading car brands, importers and distributors. The awards are voted on by the members of the MMAI who individually assess each new car model launched in Ireland each year.

It is now the sixth year in a row that an all‑electric vehicle has been voted Irish Car of the Year, underlining the rapid transformation of the Irish car market and the growing appeal of zero‑emissions motoring.

Mark Noble, Chairman of the MMAI, said: “Congratulations to Renault on the success of the Renault 5, what an achievement, coming as it does on the back of last year’s win for the Scenic E-Tech Electric.  The new Renault 5 really impressed our jurors with its blend of retro‑inspired design, modern driving dynamics, and practical electric range. It’s a stylish, accessible EV that brings innovation and character to the market, and a very worthy winner of the Irish Car of the Year title.”

Tom Dennigan of awards sponsor, Continental Tyres, added: “We 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. The 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‑emissions driving, the win for the Renault 5 is a fantastic boost for the brand as it heads into the busy January sales period.”

The field of eligible cars for this year’s awards was broken down into nine categories, with the overall winner selected from the category champions.

The Irish Car of the Year awards, the oldest and most reputable automotive award title in Ireland, remain the benchmark for excellence in the industry, guiding Irish motorists towards the best new models each year.

The Irish Car of the Year 2026 category winners:

• Irish Small Car of the Year: Hyundai Inster
• Irish Compact Car of the Year: Renault 5
• Irish Medium Car / Crossover of the Year: Kia EV3
• Irish Medium SUV of the Year: Dacia Bigster
• Irish Large Car / SUV of the Year: BYD Sealion 7
• Irish 7 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

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 at the same event.

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This is a car that has been generating serious industry buzz for some time now, so it came as no surprise that the new M5 was crowned Performance Car of the Year at the 2019 Irish Car of the Year awards, in association with Continental Tyres.

What makes the M5 such a super saloon? In our latest video review, Car of the Year juror Bob Flavin says the new BMW offers a distinctive blend of subtle design – and raw power.

BMW M5: power aplenty

“The M5 drives like you’d imagine the 5-series, but it has a 4.4 litre V8 under the bonnet putting out 600 horsepower,” he marvels. “Under your right foot, whenever you need it, you’ve got as much power as you could possibly desire.

“But [that power] is wrapped up in a car that also has four seats, a big boot, and can carry you anywhere you want to go,” says Bob. “It’s subtle on the outside but zippy enough on the inside that you feel like you’re driving something special.

“BMW managed to hit the nail absolutely on the head with the M5.”

You can watch our latest video review here – enjoy:

High praise indeed from one of Ireland’s most experienced automotive journalists, and no wonder the M5 emerged victorious from a Performance Car category that also included the Alfa Romeo Stelvio QF, the Audi RS3, the Audi RS4 and the Kia Stinger G3.

The M5 features a comprehensive range of connectivity and driver assistance features including multifunctional instrument cluster and Head Up display, while that powerhouse of a V8 high-performance engine offers precision, agility, and of course bucketloads of oomph.

The post Video review: “Special” BMW M5 hits nail on head appeared first on Irish Car of the Year.

Volvo’s acclaimed XC40 grabbed the headlines, winning the overall crown of 2019 Irish Car of the Year as well as storming to victory in the Irish Compact Crossover of the Year category – a great night’s work for Volvo!

A total of 10 category awards – in addition to the overall prize – were handed out in front of a packed audience of motoring journalists, manufacturers and industry representatives.

To mark another memorable night in the Irish automotive calendar, we’ve put together a special 2-minute video recap featuring all the 2019 winners, as well as a few familiar faces. Enjoy!

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