The Renault 5 proves that electric cars can be fun too - and even with a few compromises, it’s very hard to resist.
The Renault 5 needs no introduction: it isn’t simply the return of an icon. It’s also a statement of intent on style and positioning from a nameplate that many Portuguese drivers know well.
This "reincarnation" of the legendary French supermini arrived just over a year ago and, even before it reached showrooms, it was already among the most anticipated new models. It brings back the charm of the original’s retro silhouette, while pairing it with the expectations of a modern-day offering.
And it isn’t a messy blend. Renault has judged the mix of heritage cues and contemporary touches with real precision. The end result is obvious: a playful, colourful, youthful look that turns heads wherever it goes. Miguel Dias has already shown that in this video:
With so much hype resting on its shoulders, the Renault 5 had to deliver - and now it has. Any doubts I had disappeared during the days I spent behind the wheel of this "toy".
If your priority is the roomiest and most comfortable car in the segment, there are alternatives that do that job better. But if you want an efficient EV that handles everyday duties and still makes you grin, read on. The Renault 5 is the most entertaining electric car I’ve driven to date, and that’s settled.
A "pretty face"
Renault 5s are starting to appear with increasing regularity on the roads. Spotting one is easy: even in the dark blue of the test car - which, in my view, is far from the best colour choice - it’s impossible to be indifferent to it.
The 18″ wheels - standard across the range - along with the gold strip on the roof and the “5” graphics dotted around the car, nod to the classic model while giving it a distinctive, instantly recognisable character.
Space? A bit short, yes
Don’t be fooled by the chunky, angular styling that makes it look larger than it really is. Compared with its "brother", the Renault Clio, it’s 13,1 cm shorter, 2,4 cm narrower, and its wheelbase is 4,3 cm shorter.
On paper those differences don’t look huge, but in the real world they matter. That brings us to the Renault 5’s main "Achilles’ heel": space. If you’re over 1,75 m, sitting in the back means knees up against the front seats and limited headroom. Even so, there’s still enough room to carry four adults.
The boot isn’t class-leading, but it sits right in the middle of the pack. Its 277 litres are more than adequate for day-to-day use and beat the MINI Cooper E’s 210 litres or the Peugeot e-208’s 265 litres, for example.
Inspired by the past, but with today’s tech
Once you’ve accepted the packaging compromises, it’s time to focus on the Renault 5’s strong points - and there are plenty. Start with the seats: in the test car they stood out thanks to the yellow fabric trim and a design clearly inspired by the original Renault 5 Turbo.
The door cards use the same material, while the dashboard on this top-spec version is wrapped in synthetic leather. Elsewhere in the cabin you’ll find the hard plastics typical of this kind of car, but they’re well assembled and, more importantly, cleverly disguised.
Inside, the model also makes a point of celebrating the name it inherited, given how many “5” motifs are scattered throughout. Personally, my favourite is the one on the dashboard, which can be lit and even changed in colour, adding a more personal touch.
That said, this tie to the past - at least in the cabin - largely ends there. As mentioned earlier, Renault has balanced retro flavour with modernity, and it’s most obvious behind the wheel, where you get two 10″ screens: one for the instrument display and another for infotainment.
A big plus for the infotainment system: as with the brand’s latest products, it’s Google-based, which makes it especially intuitive and straightforward to use. Just below it sits a row of physical buttons, including proper climate-control controls - thankfully.
A "toy" for grown-ups
If the Renault 5’s compact footprint doesn’t help cabin space, out on the road the story changes completely. It only takes a few kilometres to realise this EV is more than just a "pretty face".
What surprised me most was how often I caught myself smiling. The way this little "toy" tackles twistier roads - and the stability it maintains while doing so - leaves you "wanting more", such is the enjoyment from the driver’s seat.
The steering is quick and accurate, with the right weight for each scenario. In Eco it can feel too light, but in Comfort and Sport it offers better feedback, making the Renault 5 more engaging and more fun to drive.
Add the instant acceleration you expect from a 100% electric drivetrain and the firm, reassuring brake-pedal feel, and the Renault 5 genuinely becomes a "toy" for adults. And somehow it never feels like enough. On the contrary, it encourages you to keep going, to savour each bend and to squeeze every last electron out of the battery.
A lot of that also comes from the independent suspension (on both axles), which uses an unusually firm setup for this type of car, delivering agility and stability that remain impressive even at higher speeds. Yet comfort doesn’t suffer, even when the road surface gets rough.
More than enough power
Dial things back and select Eco mode, and the Renault 5 makes it remarkably easy to lower not just your heart rate, but also your energy use. In this mode, power arrives smoothly and progressively, turning city driving into a calmer, more relaxed experience.
And on the subject of power, the R5 is offered with 70 kW (95 cv), 90 kW (122 cv) and 110 kW (150 cv) - and it was this last version that I drove. It may not sound thrilling on paper, but it never felt lacking when tasked with moving this model’s more than 1500 kg.
For context, the 0 to 100 km/h sprint is dispatched in 8s, which is more than enough to pin you to the seat… if only briefly. Top speed is limited to 150 km/h, regardless of version.
And the range?
The Renault 5 I lived with was "powered" by the larger-capacity battery (52 kWh), with a claimed range of up to 410 km (WLTP cycle).
As for consumption, the brand quotes around 15 kWh/100 km, but in real driving it’s fairly easy to come in below that figure, because this electric system is so efficient. Regenerative braking plays a big part here and, while it isn’t adjustable, it lets you drive mostly using only the accelerator pedal.
After covering more than 300 km, I finished this test with an average hovering around 14 kWh/100 km - a figure that surprised me, considering how often I wasn’t exactly gentle with my right foot.
In practice, that translates into a real-world range that broadly matches Renault’s claim, especially in urban use. On fast roads and motorways, as is typical of 100% electric cars, consumption rises and range falls.
How much does it cost?
The new Renault 5 is available from 24 900 euros, but the car I tested sat (well) above that.
With the Iconic Cinq trim level - one of the most comprehensive in the line-up - the base price climbs to 35 thousand euros, and with all the options fitted, the final price of the test car ends up at almost 38 thousand euros.
It isn’t the most competitive figure, but rivals don’t necessarily do better. Take the MINI Cooper E, for instance: it starts at 33 thousand euros, but offers 105 km less range. Or the Peugeot E-208, which in GT form has prices starting at 35 thousand euros.
Ultimately, it comes down to priorities. If what you want is versatility, space and comfort, other options on the market cover that brief more effectively.
But if your heart speaks as loudly as your head - and if the Renault 5’s retro style makes you smile - then the decision is straightforward. This small EV combines practicality and emotion like very few others. I doubt there’s another option quite as fun, charismatic and appealing as this French "toy".
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