RENAULT, E-Tech (Latest Model)

Current UK prices start at around £21,495 after the available Electric Car Grant for the Evolution Urban Range. Its 40kWh battery and approximately 118bhp motor give 194 miles of official WLTP range; expect roughly 145–175 in daily use, with less during cold motorway driving. It is lively at town speeds and suitably economical for short commutes, though repeated long-distance travel exposes the smaller battery.

The Comfort Range gets 52kWh and around 148bhp, with up to 259 miles officially and perhaps 195–225 miles in real-world mixed driving. Current Techno+, Iconic Five+ and Roland Garros+ specifications bring progressively richer equipment and styling, while the entry model remains pleasantly affordable. Starting prices for the longer-range line are around £23,945 after the grant, depending on version. The original 2025 launch established the retro-inspired design; later trim revisions changed equipment and pricing rather than the essential character. Comfort Range is the more adaptable choice if this is your only car.

The 5’s cabin is as cheerful as its exterior. Bright graphics, textured materials and small design references to the classic Renault make it feel deliberately playful. There is a proper driver display rather than forcing every piece of information into the centre screen. On well-equipped versions, Google-based navigation and familiar smartphone functions make the technology straightforward to live with. It is a clever balance: modern enough to feel current, without forgetting that a physical switch can still be useful.

The seats are comfortable and the driving position is easy to adjust. There are hard plastics if you look for them but the overall presentation is stronger than the price might suggest. The cheerful details also give it far more individuality than several larger electric hatchbacks. Some decorative touches are less practical than they appear and the highest trims can become expensive but the cabin successfully makes ordinary journeys feel a little less ordinary.

This is where the Renault makes good on the promise of its styling. Light steering, compact dimensions and eager throttle response make it genuinely enjoyable through city streets and along winding B-roads. It changes direction neatly and feels less cumbersome than the taller electric crossovers that dominate the market. You do not need enormous power to have fun when the car is small enough to respond willingly.

The ride has a firm edge over broken surfaces but the suspension usually maintains decent composure. On the motorway the 5 is stable, although wind and tyre noise become more noticeable than in larger, more expensive EVs. Regenerative braking can be tailored to conditions and the steering makes parking especially easy. The more powerful Comfort Range is better for overtaking but both versions retain the same endearing lightness. The Renault 5 is proof that a practical small electric car need not drive like a kitchen appliance.

Urban Range buyers should work around a realistic 145–175 miles in mixed use, while the larger Comfort Range can offer about 195–225 in milder conditions. Winter motorway journeys may reduce those estimates noticeably. Renault quotes up to 194 or 259 miles on the official WLTP cycle. For local journeys, the smaller car can be satisfyingly cheap to run; for regular intercity trips, the larger battery is money well spent.

Rapid charging reaches around 80kW with the 40kWh battery and approximately 100kW with the 52kWh version, with a 15–80 per cent top-up taking roughly half an hour under suitable conditions. An 11kW AC charger is supported, although the typical UK home wallbox runs at about 7kW; allow roughly six to eight hours from empty depending on the battery. The heat pump helps in cooler weather and vehicle-to-load capability is available on suitable versions. Small tyres and modest electricity use help the ownership case.

The Renault 5 measures 3,922mm long, around 1,808mm wide with its mirrors folded and 1,498mm tall. That is genuinely compact by modern standards, which is excellent news if your street has more parked cars than available space. Front passengers have enough room to settle comfortably but the rear bench is noticeably tighter. Adults can sit there for shorter trips, though tall passengers will find knees and feet competing for room.

Boot space is 326 litres on Evolution and Techno+ models, falling to around 285 litres on some higher specifications. With the rear seats folded, capacity can reach approximately 1,106 litres depending on version. The opening works for shopping and a weekend bag but a bulky pram will require some measuring. 

Five doors make child-seat access easier than the old three-door superminis people remember. It is a convincing small household car, not a disguised family SUV.

Renault equips the 5 with modern collision-prevention technology, including autonomous braking and lane assistance, although the exact equipment depends on trim. The compact body and clear forward view are advantages in city driving, while cameras and sensors on higher trims make manoeuvring more reassuring. As with many new cars, some speed and driver-attention warnings can become tiresome.

The car’s platform and electric systems are relatively new in widespread UK use, so long-term reliability claims deserve caution. Battery management and thermal control are designed for the demands of everyday charging but buyers should still check software updates and recall records. Renault’s warranty provides some reassurance. The most likely irritation for many owners may turn out to be electronic interfaces rather than the motor itself, though it is too soon to draw firm conclusions from the first years on sale.

The Renault 5 has character in places where too many electric cars have mere features. It looks terrific, feels lively on ordinary roads and has an interior that actually makes you want to climb aboard. The back seats and smaller battery impose limits but the Comfort Range makes a persuasive everyday proposition. If you thought affordable electric cars had forgotten how to be charming, this is the evidence to the contrary.