Renault 5 review – more than a retro rehash

Verdict – is the Renault 5 a good car?

We’ve spent lots of time with the Renault 5, and have finally driven a right-hand drive example on UK roads, which has only served to cement it as a brilliant, charming and desirable EV that’s bursting with character. That nostalgic appeal alone could be enough to sway buyers, but it’s so much more than just that – it’s more comfortable than a MINI Cooper, fun to drive, well priced and full of useful tech.

Renault 5 models, specs and alternatives

It would be easy to feel cynical about yet another retro-inspired car to get resurrected as an EV, but the Renault 5 already feels so well accomplished. There really is a lot riding on this car, partly because it’s been so hyped up, and also because its ‘X’ factor charm could prove the key to converting swathes of buyers to electric motoring.

We’ve already spent a lot of time with the Renault 5, firstly in France and since then in the UK in a left-hand drive model. Most recently, though, we finally got to drive a UK car on British roads. While beauty may be in the eye of the beholder, we think the Renault 5 EV looks absolutely fantastic, striking a great balance between retro styling and modern touches to bring the name into the 21st century. In fact, on our UK drive we were astounded by the sheer amount of passers-by that turned to get a look at the funky hatchback, and it’s a car we look forward to seeing on the roads because it cuts through the sea of derivative-looking SUVs currently out there. 

Top 10 best small electric cars 2025

The 5’s classic silhouette remains, and the front fascia gets LED headlights which mimic the outlines of those of the classic car’s, while the tail-lights sit high up either side of the hatchback boot like on the old Renault 5. The rear door handles are hidden in the pillars, giving the look of a three-door hatch while retaining the practicality of a five-door.

Something that has dampened the revival of some retro EVs, such as the Fiat 500, has been the steep price, but that doesn’t look like it will be a problem for the Renault 5. Three trims can be chosen from: Evolution, Techno or Iconic Five, and prices start from just £23,000 from launch. You won’t get the cool ‘5’ charge level indicator adorning the bonnet on entry-level Evolution, but you do get 18-inch alloys, LED headlights and rear parking sensors as well as a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so it’s not spartan. 

19

Unlike the old Renault 5, the new model is solely offered as an electric model, with a choice of 40kWh or 52kWh batteries paired with a front-mounted motor. The 118bhp version is the entry-level car and it’s paired with the smaller battery, while there’s a 148bhp motor in the battery with the larger one. While the 40kWh battery can manage up to 193 miles on a charge, the 52kWh battery boosts that up to 253 miles. A 94bhp version available in other markets won’t be making it to the UK.

If you want the larger battery and motor setup you’ll have to go for a Techno model, so that model costs around £4,000 more, or just £2,000 if you want the extra tech but don’t mind the same battery and motor as the entry-level Evolution.

That might sound like a lot, but to put it in perspective, a three-door MINI Cooper EV will cost you over £2,000 more than the top-spec Renault 5, while the price is about on-par with the Peugeot E-208 or a high-spec petrol MINI Cooper.

Unlike the original Renault 5, the modern version is a fully-electric vehicle. That means it’s free to tax until April 2025, and its zero-emissions status also puts it in a low BiK (Benefit-in-Kind) tax bracket for company car buyers. The version with the smaller battery might only offer enough range for those that need a short-distance around-town runabout, but there’s also a model with a 52kWh battery that’s good for up to 253 miles on a charge. Read more about the Renault 5’s range, charging & running costs…

The Renault 5 isn’t the most potent EV when you put your foot down, but it really handles well. You get the feeling it could take everything you throw at it but we were left craving a little more power – for that, at least, you’re catered to with the hot Alpine A290 version. The Renault 5 is a great car for around-town driving and it’s more capable on the motorway than you might expect. Read more about the Renault 5’s electric motor, drive & performance… 

The Renault 5 is a very attractive car to look at from the outside, and that theme continues on the inside, too. The driver’s display speedometer features retro-styled numbering, there are pops of colour around the cabin for added interest and the 5 bucks the trend of minimalism. Read more about the Renault 5’s interior & comfort…

Practicality is probably the Renault 5’s weakest area because the rear seats are a little cramped for passengers. The boot is at least a good size and the Renault 5 beats its main competitors for capacity here. Read more about the Renault 5’s boot space, practicality & dimensions…

The Renault 5 comes with a comprehensive suite of safety assistance systems which should offer peace of mind, but as a brand Renault needs to do more to impress its customers. Read more about the Renault 5’s reliability & safety…

Renault 5 alternatives

Using an iconic retro name for a modern EV is nothing new, and the Renault 5 enters a market with a few other well-established models, such as the electric MINI Cooper and Fiat 500. There are also other EV superminis with less retro appeal worth buyers’ consideration.

• MINI Cooper
• Fiat 500
• Peugeot E-208
• Vauxhall Corsa Electric
• MG4
• Citroen e-C3

Should you buy a Renault 5?

19

We’ve now driven the Renault 5 in the UK and can confirm it’s just as impressive as it was when we tested it in France. It’s got masses of retro appeal but doesn’t just rely on that to make an impact – it feels well finished, unique and loaded with brilliant tech. The Renault 5 isn’t the most spacious or powerful EV and its range figures aren’t astounding, but it’s great to drive and has a bigger boot and more comfortable ride than a MINI Cooper.

What’s even more attractive is that all of the Renault 5’s pluses come at a very competitive price that’s sure to worry rivals from less well-established brands from China. Those rivals aren’t quite able to offer that nostalgic appeal or ‘X factor’ that makes people buy a car with their hearts and their heads, despite their low price tags, and that’s where the 5 comes in.

What is the best Renault 5 for keen drivers?

The most powerful version of the Renault 5 that buyers can get is the 148bhp version – this handles very well, but it might prove a little underwhelming in terms of pure performance. Fortunately, Renault’s performance sub-brand Alpine has made its own hot version of the 5 called the A290, which has 217bhp and a 0-60mph time of 6.4 seconds. It’s still a little way off and expected to be significantly more expensive than the standard Renault 5, but it could be worth holding out for that one if you’re a keen driver.

How we tested the Renault 5

We most recently tested the Renault 5 in right-hand drive guise in the UK in March 2025 in clear, dry weather. Prior to this we tested a left-hand drive version in the UK in December 2024 in cold, wintry, wet weather and earlier that year in Germany and France.