Title for retro Stromer and favorite Swiss brand

For the 14th time, Ringier Media Switzerland, together with its partner carmarket.ch, Blick, SonntagsBlick, Schweizer Illustrierte, L'illustré and La Domenica, was looking for the "Swiss Car of the Year". There were two categories - jury and public vote - in which first, second and third place were awarded respectively.

In addition to the jury president, former Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn, the 15-member expert jury included specialist journalists, environmental experts and technology specialists. They chose the small electric Renault R5 E-Tech as their "Swiss Car of the Year 2025". In the public vote under the auspices of the online trading platform carmarket.ch, over 10,000 participants chose the Skoda Elroq electric SUV as their favorite.

The winning models were duly celebrated at "The Car Show" event. As in previous years, the traditional awards ceremony in the presence of the Swiss car industry was held as a dynamic show at the Classic Center Safenwil AG. The 180 guests were welcomed by the CEO of Ringier Media Switzerland, Ladina Heimgartner, and the event was hosted by Jann Billeter. Swiss R&B singer Naomi Lareine provided the musical backdrop with a brilliant performance. And Bernhard Russi, Olympic and world champion skier, shared some memories from his decades-long association with Walter Frey and the Subaru brand imported by Emil Frey AG. The winning models of the "Swiss Car of the Year 2025" then made their grand entrance on an oversized catwalk complete with revolving stage.

"Swiss Car of the Year 2025" in the specialist poll: Renault R5 E-Tech

The jury had made an initial selection from 36 new models in advance. This year, ten models made it to the final round of the big test day at the TCS Training & Freizeit Betzholz center in Hinwil ZH. While in recent years it has always been mainly large electric models that have reached the final round, this year small electric models dominated the field - finally, because they are the ones that are currently still lacking on the market to give electric mobility a further boost.

From the perspective of jury president Monisha Kaltenborn, new aspects are currently coming to the fore when deciding on a new car: "Technical data is almost becoming a minor matter. Sustainability now seems much more important, both in terms of the materials used and vehicle production. And of course the price." This year's winner is a brand new electric car with a long history: with the R5 E-Tech, French car manufacturer Renault is launching a modern small electric car, but in the classic design of the legendary first R5 from 1972. The jury was impressed by the overall package of compact dimensions, clever details à la française and three engine versions between 95 and 150 hp. Full connectivity and emission-free drives, but a nostalgic feel - this is how e-mobility becomes emotional. The Renault R5 E-Tech crossed the finishing line with 18.9 percent of the jury votes.

With 12.6 percent of the jury votes, the Volvo EX30, the smallest electric model from the traditional Swedish brand with a Chinese parent company, secured second place. The Citroën ë-C3, one of the most affordable electric crossovers on the Swiss market, followed in third place with 10.9 percent.

"Swiss Car of the Year 2025" in the public vote: Skoda Elroq

The users of Ringier Media Switzerland's media brands (including Blick, SonntagsBlick, Schweizer Illustrierte and L'illustré), carmarket.ch and La Domenica also chose their favorites. A total of 44 new models were nominated this year. With a new voting mode and the possibility of distributing several votes among three models each, over 10,000 Swiss people took part, making for an exciting and close election right to the end.

With 8.1 percent of the votes cast, the Skoda Elroq takes pole position. The title went to a compact SUV with an electric drive that was unveiled just before the start of the election. This second electric vehicle in the Czech VW subsidiary's range is not only a trendsetter thanks to its drive system. It is priced at the same level as comparable combustion-powered SUVs. The equalization of prices between combustion and electric versions is seen as a key to the spread of electromobility. Surprise second place went to the jury's choice winner, the Renault R5 E-Tech, with 6.3 percent of the votes. Third place went to the small crossover Opel Frontera with 5.8 percent of the votes.

One lucky car winner

Attractive prizes could also be won in the large public vote, which was held in all parts of the country. Anna Amstutz from Ennetbaden AG will be behind the wheel of the main prize, a new Opel Frontera with a 113 hp e-drive and a value of CHF 32,990.