Okay, let’s be honest. When I first saw the pictures of this car, my brain did a little happy dance. You can talk all day about specs and battery sizes, and yeah, those are important. But one look at this thing, and it’s pure, unadulterated want. It’s like Renault reached into a collective memory box and pulled out sunshine from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. So many of us have a soft spot for the original R5, whether we drove one, or were just bouncing around in the back as kids. This isn’t just a car; it feels like a tiny piece of our past, reimagined for today.
It’s More Than Just a Pretty Face, Right?
Absolutely. Strip away the undeniably cool looks for a second. What you’ve got is a seriously well-priced electric supermini. We’re talking about a version that can apparently do around 255 miles (WLTP, of course) for about £25,000, and it’s not like they’ve skimped on the good stuff inside. It’s packed with most of the tech and comforts you’d expect. But yeah, that face! It’s a design that makes you feel something, not just calculate your monthly payments. Renault really dug deep for this one, tapping into that magic that made the original such a hit.
How Does It Stack Up Against the Others?
Now, the idea of a cool, small, retro-inspired EV isn’t brand new. You’ve got the Mini Cooper Electric, which has its own charm, and the electric Fiat 500, which is undeniably cute. The upcoming Grande Panda looks interesting too. The key thing here is that, like those, the R5 isn’t just a lazy photocopy of an old photo. It takes the spirit, the essence, and makes it modern. It’s a proper retro design exercise done well.
You could, of course, go for something totally contemporary. Cars like the Hyundai Inster are on the horizon. Then there are the usual suspects like the Peugeot e-208 or Vauxhall Corsa Electric. But, you might end up paying a bit more for those, and will they give you that same buzz every time you walk up to them? Probably not. And while the MG4 or BYD Dolphin offer more space, they just don’t have that same emotional pull or the premium feel that this new R5 seems to exude.
Built with Passion, Not Just Spreadsheets
You can tell when a car company is genuinely excited about a project. The buzz around the new Renault 5 is palpable. Stories are floating around about designers and engineers practically living at the factory to get every detail just right. When people pour that much love and effort into something, it shines through in the final product. You just get that sense that this wasn’t just another car on the development schedule; it was a mission.
And don’t for a second think it’s all style and no substance. Renault knows its way around EVs. Just look at the Megane E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech – they’re solid electric cars. Plus, they’ve got a long history with small electrics like the Zoe. So, the powertrain in this new R5? It’s smooth, efficient, and just works.
Smart Engineering Underneath
This isn’t just a Clio body with batteries shoehorned in. It’s built on a dedicated EV platform, and that makes a huge difference. Here’s what that means for you:
- A completely flat floor, which opens up the interior.
- A longer wheelbase relative to its overall length, making it surprisingly roomy for a car that’s still well under four metres long.
- Cost savings in manufacturing, because the body doesn’t need to be engineered to also hold an engine, fuel tank, or exhaust. The battery case itself adds strength.
- It’s relatively lightweight for an EV, tipping the scales around 1,450kg even with the bigger battery.
They haven’t skimped on the proper car bits either. You get a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension and disc brakes all around. Plus, every version comes with a heat pump, which is great for preserving range in colder weather. And get this – it features bi-directional charging. That means you can charge it up when electricity is cheap overnight and potentially sell some power back to the grid during peak times. How cool is that for a small EV?
Okay, Let’s Talk Design Details
From the moment you walk up to it, the R5 starts winking at you – literally. The little four-cornered motifs in the headlights give a little animation. You’ll see that same graphic in the foglights and even on the dashboard vents inside. The rear lights are a clear nod to the Mk2 “Supercinq” R5, those awesome one-piece seat-backs are inspired by the Gordini versions, and the chunky wheel arches scream “5 Turbo rally car!” Even the little vent on the bonnet of the very first R5 is referenced – though here, it’s a clever state-of-charge indicator. The point is, even if you have zero nostalgia for the old car, this new one just looks fantastic on its own merits.
And What’s it Like Inside?
The retro theme continues, but it’s all tastefully done. The dashboard has stitching that mimics the ridged plastic of the original, and the headlining has a texture that subtly reminds you of a rattan basket – a neat touch! The instrument binnacle keeps a similar rectangular shape to the old car’s, but now it houses crisp, modern flat screens. Materials feel pretty good, with bright colours adding to the cheerful vibe. Thankfully, Renault has kept plenty of physical switches for important stuff, which makes it way easier to use when you’re actually driving. It’s a great blend of retro cool and modern usability.
One thing to note: it has grown a bit. It’s still a compact EV, easily under four metres long, but it doesn’t feel quite as “dinky” as the original. It’s a bit taller and wider, sitting somewhere between an electric Mini and a Volvo EX30 in terms of its presence. This means getting in isn’t a massive drop, but the floor is a touch higher than you might expect. Rear legroom is, well, typical for an electric city car of this size – fine for shorter trips or for kids, but maybe not ideal for four adults on a long journey.
Power and Juice: What Are the Options?
You’ve got a couple of choices here. The entry-level car gets a 40kWh battery paired with a 120bhp motor, giving it a WLTP range around 195 miles – similar to the bigger-battery Fiat 500. If you want more, there’s a version (starting around £26,995) with a 52kWh battery pack using NMC cells, running at 400V. This one comes with a more potent 150bhp motor. Interestingly, the motor is an electrically excited synchronous type, meaning no rare-earth magnets, which is a nice sustainable touch. Charging from 15-80% takes about half an hour on a suitable fast charger, and it’ll do 0-62mph in a respectable 8.0 seconds.
So, How Does This Retro EV Drive?
This is where it all comes together. The engineers clearly put just as much love into the driving experience as the designers did with the looks. It feels light on its feet, really nimble, which is just what you want from a car like this. The steering is progressive and responsive, and if you push it a bit in the corners, it resists understeer in a surprisingly playful way. It’s genuinely fun for urban driving and nipping through traffic.
But it’s not just a toy; it feels mature too. The ride is taut but well-damped around town, soaking up bumps nicely. Take it on a twisty B-road, and it breathes with the surface, feeling composed. It’s also remarkably quiet. The whole car feels incredibly rigid, so there are no annoying squeaks or rattles, which really adds to the feeling of quality. Suspension noise is impressively well insulated – possibly one of the best in the small car class.
The Final Word?
It’s pretty simple, really. The new Renault 5 is every bit as charming to drive as it is to look at and sit in. It’s not the first premium-feeling retro EV, sure. It shares that knowing wink to the past with the Mini and Fiat 500, complete with lovely exterior details and a cheerful, smart cabin. But it feels a bit more substantial than the Fiat, goes further on a charge, and it’s more practical day-to-day than the Mini, especially with how it handles bumpy British roads. It really does feel like a well-built, premium product.
And then there’s the value. When you look at the performance, the range, and those clever charging options, it really hits a sweet spot. This isn’t just an overpriced fashion statement; it’s a genuinely good small electric car. More than anything, it just feels right. Your first love should indeed last, and this modern take on an icon feels like it’s built to capture hearts all over again. If you’re looking for a small electric car with a huge personality, you absolutely need to check this one out.
