The Stuff Gadget Awards 2025: our cars and bikes of the year

Electric cars became genuinely attainable in 2025. Renault’s retro-styled 5 E-tech proved that affordable EVs needn’t sacrifice personality, pairing 1970s design flourishes with a modern electric drivetrain. Volkswagen promised cheap city cars by 2027, whilst Chinese manufacturers like BYD stormed European markets with competitively priced alternatives. Despite the troubling antics of its CEO, Tesla’s refreshed Model Y maintained dominance, but the real story was democratisation: electric motoring shifted from premium aspiration to practical reality.

Premium manufacturers explored futuristic territory. Genesis’s Electrified G80 showcased what’s possible when manufacturers stop thinking inside the box: biometric locks, electric closing doors, UV-C sterilisers and active road noise cancellation transformed the cabin into something approaching sci-fi.

E-bikes experienced explosive growth, as commuters sought alternatives to congested roads and expensive public transport. City bikes dominated sales, with folding models surging in popularity – particularly appealing in large cities where storage and theft concerns loom large.

E-scooters remained in their strange state of legal limbo here in the UK. Despite over a million being in use and brilliant new models launching throughout the year, private e-scooters are still technically illegal on UK roads. Police gained seizure powers and politicians continued to tease eventual legislation, but the continuing lack of clarity over something so ubiquitous makes a mockery of the law.

It’s time to reveal our favourite e-bikes, e-scooters and electric vehicles of 2025.

Check out all this year’s Stuff Gadget Awards winners

EV of the year: Renault 5 E-tech

Finally, proof that small EVs are where the real fun lives. The Renault 5 E-tech takes everything brilliant about the 1970s original, reimagining it for the electric era with dazzling results. This is one of the funkiest cars on the road: vibrant colours, chunky 18in alloys, carved headlight openings and a bonnet flourish that doubles as a battery indicator. The headlights even wink at you when powered down. Inside, smart materials and thoughtful design create a warm, cosy cockpit.

But it’s not just pretty – the Renault 5 is a brilliant all-rounder. That compact 3.92m length makes city parking effortless, whilst twisting B roads reveal surprisingly engaging handling and impressive grip. The forgiving ride soaks up Britain’s potholed highways beautifully, and it’s impressively quiet with near-zero tyre noise.

With 250 miles range and keenly priced, this brilliant bundle of fun makes the EV case better than most. Who wouldn’t want one?

Highly commended

Kia EV3

Taking design cues from the imposing EV9 SUV, Kia’s compact EV delivers bold styling that stands out in a sea of bland crossovers. The GT-Line trim particularly impresses with 19in alloys, vegan leather and a dashboard split into three digital sections. Harman-Kardon audio and heated rear seats add unexpected luxury.

More importantly, the EV3 drives dazzlingly. The 81.4kWh battery delivers 367 miles range, whilst paddled regenerative braking enables efficient one-pedal driving. It handles the UK’s uneven A-roads brilliantly, feeling planted and comfortable throughout. The 460l boot plus 25l frunk makes it genuinely practical for families, with excellent visibility and a 360º camera for tight spots.

You’ll want the pricier GT-Line trim to avoid the Air model’s plasticky interior and manual seats, which’ll push the cost up. But with Kia’s seven-year warranty backing this solid driving experience, impressive range and genuine comfort, it’s a sorely tempting prospect.

Mini Cooper SE

This electric Mini is an absolute joy to drive. At just 3.8m long, it’s perfectly sized for chucking around country lanes or threading through congested city streets – and with 215hp delivering 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, it’s rapid too. Even if the ride quality can be a touch unforgiving on uneven British roads, the hunkered-down stance, sports tyres and nimble handling mean you’ll have tons of fun behind the wheel.

Better still, the Cooper SE seems to have distilled the brand’s retro essence. That fully digital circular screen conjures the charm of 1960s Minis, whilst physical controls sit exactly where the original ignition key lived. Blazing Blue paintwork with white roof pops gloriously, 18in alloys gleam and Harman-Kardon audio, the head-up display and heated seats give the interior a premium feel. The battery delivers 244 miles range – vastly improved over older models, if not stellar – whilst 95kW charging goes from 10% to 80% in under 30 minutes.

Also shortlisted

MG Cyberster, Polestar 4, Mercedes G Wagon EV

Ebike or escooter of the year: Pure Electric Air5 Ultra Suspension

Despite the Pure Electric Air5 Ultra Suspension being among the heaviest e-scooters around, we love it. Why? Because it’s the first mainstream scooter that actually works on the UK’s pitiful road surfaces. Dual rear shock absorbers with adjustable preload and telescopic front forks transform pothole-dodging torture into blissfully smooth, confident riding.

The tank-like build quality is a winner too. The 1201W motor climbs steep hills easily, whilst 10in puncture-proof tyres grip like a champ, even on loose ground. Active Steering Stabilisation prevents unpredictable twitches, whilst 150-lumen headlights and always-on brake lights (that get much brighter when stopping) keep you visible. The large LED display stays clear in sunlight, and up to 58 miles range means multiple commutes between charges.

No, you won’t want to lug the 22.6kg bulk up three flights of stairs daily. But it’s a massive boon if you’re riding British backroads, where craggy tarmac and crater-like potholes are the norm.

Highly commended

VanMoof S5 (2025)

What a triumphant return for VanMoof. After the Dutch brand’s 2023 collapse, new owner Lavoie (part of McLaren) has performed minor miracles, modernising and streamlining things behind the scenes before delivering an all-new 2025 edition of the strikingly minimalist S5, a sleek space-age urban ebike teeming with tightly integrated tech.

Everything – battery, motor, cables – is concealed inside a sleek aluminium frame, with integrated lights and a rear kick lock maintaining that futuristic aesthetic. The standout Boost button instantly delivers maximum power, getting you to 20mph in under five seconds to make city commutes a breeze. Handlebar-mounted LEDs add to the spaceship vibe, whilst GPS tracking, Apple Find My support and automatic unlocking via your smartphone give it serious security chops. The 250W front hub motor offers 68Nm of torque with automatic three-speed shifting, and up to 92 miles range in eco mode means infrequent charging.