French cars excel in comparisons but old reputation lingers

French car brands have regularly reached the final rounds of both the European Car of the Year and Finnish Car of the Year awards in recent years, according to a report by Yle. Renault 5 won the European title in 2025, while in Finland it took second place in 2026. The Renault Scenic E-Tech electric model won the European award in 2024.

Despite these accolades, first-time registrations of French brands in Finland remain inconsistent. Renault saw the strongest growth between 2023 and 2025, while Peugeot registrations declined. Citroën has shown modest gains. In 2025, Toyota, Finland’s most popular car, had about four times more first-time registrations than all French brands combined.

Industry interviews reveal persistent skepticism about French car reliability. Some dealers no longer stock used French models, while others avoid public criticism to maintain relationships with importers. The used car market reflects this caution: older French models are scarce, and newer ones are priced lower than competitors, despite often having superior equipment.

Traffic management statistics show French brands have more inspection issues than rivals, affecting both decade-old daily drivers and high-mileage vehicles. Common problems include the Citroën Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension and Stellantis’ Puretech engines, particularly versions with continuously oiled timing belts that may require specific oil types.

However, some traditional criticisms no longer hold. Electrical system reliability, once a frequent complaint, is now comparable to other brands, with failures limited to standard components like bulbs in non-LED systems.