Renault 5 E-Tech: our test drive in Nice

The Renault 5 E-Tech has sparked a lot of curiosity from the start, and I was eager to get my hands on it too. It’s one of those nostalgic revivals that bring iconic models back to life in a modern, in this case electric, way. Few succeed, but this one does.

With a striking design that grabs attention, the Renault 5 E-Tech also stands out for its excellent tech features, boasting 26 ADAS, Vehicle-To-Load/Grid, and even Plug&Charge—all typically found in higher-end cars but in a compact package.

Renault 5 E-Tech: our tops&flops

The Renault 5 E-Tech is the new electric city car to beat. In a body just 3.9 meters long, it packs flagship-level technology, from Vehicle-To-Load to Plug&Charge, as well as advanced safety features like adaptive cruise control with stop & go, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot sensor, and more—easily adjustable for silent operation. Designed and built entirely in France, at Cléon and the new ElectriCity, it’s a successful revival of the French icon, featuring a “future nostalgia” design that turned heads everywhere I went while driving and photographing it. The driving experience is a true pleasure, though the braking is overly abrupt, and thanks to Multilink suspension with a touch of McPherson, the car is highly stable and handles its 150 horsepower well. Acceleration isn’t mind-blowing, taking 8 seconds to reach 100 km/h, while the 80-120 km/h range is more engaging. Its range of 410 km is also impressive, making this car ideal for weekend getaways with friends. The finishing touch? The usual Open R Link infotainment with Android Automotive, all Google apps, the ability to install others, and now ChatGPT and the Reno assistant.

What we like:

Excellent material quality for its category
Outstanding drivability
Flagship-level features

What we don’t like:

The central tunnel is unnecessary and bulky
Some hard plastics feel out of place
The braking needs recalibration, and there’s no one-pedal drive

Prices in Scandinavia

Denmark from 185.000 DKK (230.000 DKK for the tested version);
Sweden – prices not available yet;
Norway – from 287.000 NOK

Three Editions of the “Cinq” in One

Visually, the Renault 5 combines elements from three versions of the iconic French model: the R5, Supercinq, and R5 Turbo. The aggressive styling draws from the Turbo, especially in the wide wheel arches from both the Supercinq and the Turbo, as well as the “Disco” wheel covers inspired by the original sporty model.

With a vibrant color palette including test model yellow, electric blue, and lime green, the car exudes a youthful vibe. The 18-inch wheels are wrapped in 195/55 R18 tires (Continental for summer, Goodyear for all-season), and come in two styles: “Techno” with a red “5” at the center instead of the Renault logo, and “Chrono,” inspired by a clock dial that highlights the number 5.

Compact yet with 5 doors, it retains a nod to the original 3-door design by hiding the rear handle in the pillar, like the Twingo. Measuring 3.9 meters long with a 2.54-meter wheelbase, it sits between the Twingo (30 mm longer) and the Clio—a hybrid of segment A and B.

Ample cargo space and practicality

Inside, the Renault 5 is well-appointed. The seat upholstery resembles denim, made from 100% recycled PET. The Iconic model’s interior accents match the exterior color on the seats and door panels, with the dashboard wrapped in eco-leather with contrasting stitching.

Ambient lighting coordinates with the exterior, even illuminating the “Renault 5” logo in front of the passenger. Unfortunately, some hard plastics, especially on the bulky central tunnel, feel out of place and detract from the otherwise impeccable quality. However, the plush, vintage-style headliner is a charming touch.

The central console features a large non-slip platform for a smartphone with wireless charging, USB-C ports, a 12-volt outlet, cup holders, and a storage compartment under the armrest. With a width of 1.7 meters, the car is well-suited for city driving, although two tall passengers may feel a bit snug.

The car offers 19 liters of storage compartments and a minimum of 326 liters of trunk space, easily accessible even with a slightly high load lip. It also includes 27 dm³ below the floor for storing charging cables.

With Reno and ChatGPT

Technology-wise, Renault has equipped the car with the best of its offerings. It has two screens: a 10.1-inch one behind the wheel (7-inch in the base model) and a 10-inch central screen with OpenR Link based on Android Automotive, featuring integrated Google apps like Maps, the Play Store, and up to 50 additional apps like Spotify, Deezer, and Vivaldi.

New to this model is Reno, a colorful voice assistant that assists with driving tips for EVs, and ChatGPT’s AI support, though I didn’t get much chance to test these features in-depth in this initial review.

An excellent drive, except…

The Renault 5 E-Tech is the first on the AmpR Small platform developed by Renault’s Ampere division, dedicated to EVs. Made in France, it features a radial-structure motor and an innovative, thin NMC battery with only 4 modules instead of 12, cutting battery weight to 300 kg (20 kg lighter than the Zoe).

This dedicated platform has other perks: a 10.3-meter turning radius makes it agile in urban settings, and the precise steering is a pleasant surprise for this segment. The car is smooth to drive and handles well thanks to its Multilink rear suspension, which is dynamic in tight turns and absorbs bumps effectively.

Braking, however, is overly abrupt. Renault has confirmed that adjustable regenerative braking paddles and an iPedal mode, allowing the car to come to a full stop, will be introduced later.

Outstanding efficiency

Consumption is another strong point. The Renault 5 manages energy well, with realistic range estimates for both mixed (410 km) and highway driving (about 220 km). Its consumption is just over 14 kWh/100 km, and even in Sport mode, I didn’t exceed 17 kWh/100 km.

Charging options include 11 kW AC for a full charge in 3.5 hours and 100 kW DC for a 20-80% charge in 30 minutes. Thanks to Plug&Charge, charging is as easy as plugging in, once the car is linked to the MyRenault app.

Flagship-Level ADAS

On safety, the Renault 5 offers 26 ADAS features for Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, including adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, lane-keeping assist, speed recognition, and driver attention monitoring.