Renault 5 E-Tech 2025 Review: Compact, Retro, Electric - Is this the Affordable Future of Driving?

What Is the Renault 5 E-Tech?

The Renault 5 E-Tech is an electric supermini that reinvents the Renault 5, a car that first arrived in the 1970s. It follows Renault's earlier electric Twizy and Zoe, and Renault builds it at its factory in Douai, France. Priced from under £23,000 at the time of Vicki's review, it targets town drivers and families who want an affordable, characterful electric car.

What makes the Renault 5 E-Tech special:

• Two batteries: 40kWh with 120hp, or 52kWh with 150hp
• Vehicle-to-grid charging, which some reports suggest could earn owners up to £800 a year
• A vehicle-to-load adaptor is standard on the 52kWh version, according to Renault
• A heat pump comes as standard on every model
• Renault's AmpR Small platform, shared with the Alpine A290 and Nissan Micra, with a weight of 1,463kg to 1,536kg including a 75kg driver, according to Renault
• Joint winner of European Car of the Year 2025 with the Alpine A290, voted by 59 motoring journalists from 22 European countries
• Small Electric Car of the Year in the What Car? Car of the Year Awards 2026

What Does the Renault 5 E-Tech Look Like?

The Renault 5 measures 3,922mm long, slightly larger than an electric MINI yet compact enough to recall the original's simplicity. Vicki finds the design highly desirable, even for drivers too young to remember the original, and says the car is bursting with character.

Retro Details:

The LED headlights appear to wink and hide a small French flag. A charging light on the bonnet nods to the air vent on older models and lights up the 5 when the battery is fully charged. The bulbous wheel arches recall the Renault 5 GT Turbo, one of Vicki's favourite hot hatches. Tall rear lights with small side panels aid aerodynamics, and a red strip and black roof complete the look.

Boot Space:

The boot holds 326 litres, rising to 1,106 litres with the rear seats folded, considerably more than the electric MINI's 210 litres. Renault quotes 285 litres for the Iconic Five+ and Roland-Garros+ trims, as their Harman Kardon sound system takes up underfloor space. A deep boot lip means bags need lifting in, and the boot opens manually. Bag hooks keep the space practical, and Evolution and Techno+ models add an underfloor compartment for the charging cables.

How Does the Renault 5 E-Tech Drive?

Performance:

The 150hp Renault 5 reaches 62mph in 7.9 seconds, brisk enough for town and motorway driving. Vicki finds the front-wheel-drive chassis could cope with far more power, and she would love to try it with an old-school 1.4-litre turbo engine. Drivers who want more pace can look at its sister car, the Alpine A290.

Handling:

The AmpR Small platform gives the Renault 5 a low centre of gravity and a low weight, which pays off in corners. Where the MINI has prim and proper road manners, Vicki finds the Renault cheekier, with extra excitement in its handling, especially in Sport mode. The traction control can be switched off for a little tyre squeal, and in Vicki's words, it is very sweet, very capable and still fun.

Town Driving:

Vicki calls the Renault 5 a top-notch town car, ideal for the station run, the school run or relaxed trips around town. It is quiet, comfortable and compact, which makes parking easy, and hands-free park assist can steer it in and out of spaces.

Braking and Regeneration:

Disc brakes at all four corners give a keen pedal response. Moving the gear selector to B strengthens the regenerative braking when you lift off the accelerator, slowing the car without bringing it to a full stop.

Range and Charging:

The 52kWh battery gives an official WLTP range of up to 259 miles, similar to the MINI's longest-range electric model. A heat pump comes as standard to help both cabin temperature and range. A DC fast charger takes the battery from 15% to 80% in around 30 minutes, while a home wallbox recharges the battery overnight.

What Is the Renault 5 E-Tech Interior Like?

Design and Materials:

The car's personality carries into the cabin, where the air vents mirror the exterior lights and the dashboard is softly padded. Renault uses plenty of recycled material throughout. The test car's trim featured yellow accents, and Vicki would have preferred a brighter shade, while a subtler denim-effect interior is also available.

Seats:

The front seats draw the eye with a shape inspired by the original car. They hold you well, stay comfortable even for a six-footer and drop low enough to feel like a British touring car. Vicki's tip is to warn rear passengers before lowering the seat, to protect their toes.

Controls and Screens:

Four physical stalks sit behind the steering wheel, including a gear selector with a Renault logo on its tip. Vicki would like the selector to feel chunkier, though she welcomes so many physical controls. A touchscreen to the left handles settings from the indicator sound to the ambient lighting colour.

Voice Assistant and Connectivity:

An avatar called Reno responds to voice commands, and Vicki's test shows it has plenty of personality. Wireless phone charging and USB-C ports come as standard, and the Renault app lets owners check range, schedule charging, set the cabin temperature and find charging points.

Rear Seats and Storage:

The front of the cabin offers plenty of pockets and boxes, while rear passengers get two seat pockets. Like most superminis, the rear bench suits younger passengers best, and Vicki would seat three pre-teens there. Rear passengers do without a grab handle, coat hook, armrest or USB-C ports, but they get a funky roof and a label showing every past Renault 5.

What Wheels and Tyres Does the Renault 5 E-Tech Have?

Every Renault 5 rides on 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels as standard. The test car's black diamond-cut design resembles a clock face, with the number 5 cleverly placed at five o'clock.

The Continental EcoContact 6 Q is listed as an approved fitment for the Renault 5 E-Tech. According to Continental, its optimised tread reduces rolling noise, and a specially developed compound lowers rolling resistance for energy-saving driving. An R on the sidewall marks it as a Renault-specific fitment. Real drivers have rated the Continental EcoContact 6 Q on DriverReviews, giving it an average of 4.6 out of 5 stars.

How Does the Renault 5 E-Tech Compare to Rivals?

Renault 5 E-Tech vs MINI Cooper Electric:

The MINI Cooper Electric is priced from £26,905, according to Parkers, and Vicki found the Renault 5 at least £7,000 cheaper than a MINI at the time of her review. The MINI Cooper SE offers 218hp and around 250 miles of WLTP range, similar to the Renault's 259 miles, but its 210-litre boot is smaller than the Renault's 326 litres. The MINI suits buyers who want premium polish and extra performance, while the Renault 5 suits those who want more space and value.

Renault 5 E-Tech vs Alpine A290:

The Alpine A290 shares the Renault 5's platform and was priced from £33,500 at its UK launch, according to Autocar. It offers 180hp or 220hp, with sportier styling and tuning. The A290 suits drivers who want an electric hot hatch, while the Renault 5 suits those who want everyday comfort and value.

Is the Renault 5 E-Tech Worth Buying?

The Renault 5 E-Tech is the right choice for town drivers and young families who want an affordable electric car with up to 259 miles of range and plenty of character. Drivers who want more performance should look at the Alpine A290. Vicki calls the Renault 5 an A1 bit of kit and a justifiably multi-award-winning car.

The case for the Renault 5 E-Tech:

• Priced from under £23,000 at the time of Vicki's review
• Up to 259 miles of WLTP range from the 52kWh battery
• 15-80% DC charge in around 30 minutes, plus vehicle-to-grid charging
• 326-litre boot, larger than the MINI Cooper Electric's
• Quiet, comfortable and easy to park in town
• European Car of the Year 2025 and What Car? Small Electric Car of the Year 2026

Before you buy:

• Rear space suits children best, with no rear USB-C ports or armrest
• A deep boot lip means bags need lifting in
• Drivers wanting hot-hatch pace should look at the 220hp Alpine A290
• The gear selector stalk feels less sturdy than the rest of the cabin