A new awards format, combining a professional jury and public vote, through which Autobest named its winners on 28 March — handing out no fewer than four distinctions, including one to the Renault 4.
Organised by the Autobest jury — active in 32 member countries, including Luxembourg — the Autobest Conquest competition awarded four separate titles, covering design, technology, user appeal and the supreme accolade. The key innovation of this edition: public voting, open for several weeks prior to the ceremony on Autobest’s digital platforms, was factored into the final tally on equal footing with the professional jurors’ votes. The ceremony was broadcast live on YouTube on 28 March 2026, with votes from all 32 member countries revealed in real time. Six models were in contention: the BYD Dolphin Surf, Citroën C3 Aircross, Fiat Grande Panda, Ford Puma Gen-E, MG S5 EV and Renault 4.
Design: nostalgia pays off
The Fiat Grande Panda took the title of “Best Car Design in Europe”, with a combined jury and public total of 7,996 points. The Renault 4 (6,697 pts) and the Citroën C3 Aircross (6,633 pts) complete the podium — a result reflecting a persistent public appetite for retro-modern reinterpretations.
Affordable technology: MG’s show of force
In the “Best Affordable Car Technology Package” category, the MG S5 EV came out on top with 14,955 points, ahead of the Renault 4 (14,349 pts) and the Citroën C3 Aircross (9,950 pts). The Chinese brand benefited in particular from overwhelming public support — 9,545 points from the public vote, against 5,410 from the jury — a clear sign that its technology-to-price ratio resonates directly with buyers.
Users’ Car: the C3 Aircross sweeps the public vote
The Citroën C3 Aircross claimed the title of “Best Users’ Car of Europe” with 21,676 points, recording the highest public score of the evening across all contenders (13,142 pts). The Fiat Grande Panda (19,770 pts) and the Renault 4 (18,630 pts) follow.
Best Buy Car of Europe: Renault 4, the consensus pick
Succeeding the Dacia Duster, crowned in 2025, the top title went to the Renault 4 with 39,676 points. The French model won over both professionals (18,552 pts from the jury) and the public (21,124 pts), posting the strongest alignment between the two voting bodies. The Citroën C3 Aircross (38,259 pts) follows close behind, ahead of the Fiat Grande Panda (35,405 pts). Notably, the Ford Puma Gen-E and the BYD Dolphin Surf failed to reach any podium. Read our full road test of the Renault 4 on Autotouring.
Autobest
Autobest is an independent jury of automotive journalists representing 32 European countries (including Luxembourg), founded in 2001. Its primary aim is to elect the “Best Buy Car of Europe” each year — in other words, the car offering the best overall value, price and versatility for the average European consumer. It is not an award for the objectively best car, but for the most relevant one for the greatest number of European buyers.
