Publication date: 13 October 2024
Renault 5
Review

Renault 5

Irresistible

Review - The Renault 5 was born out of necessity. In the 1970s, there was a financial crisis while people were gaining more freedom. Therefore, a small, functional and economical car was needed. The answer was the Renault 5. Now there is a demand for affordable electric cars. Does the Renault 5 once again bring the answer?

The demand for compact and economical electric cars is high. On the contrary, profits on such cars are small, which poses a challenge to carmakers. Renault solves this by replacing two models with the "5": the Twingo and the Zoë. And by opting for retro design, the 5 Electric already looks good in its simplest version. In the more exclusive versions, the model even exerts an irresistible attraction on many a car enthusiast. In this way, Renault reaches both buyers who want to drive electric out of idealism or for financial gain, and enthusiasts who choose the 5 for its image.

Renault 5

Platform

To develop the new generation of the 5, Renault took an unusual approach. As a rule, it takes an existing platform and builds a body on it. For the 5, Renault chose the opposite route: the designers first drew their ideal reinterpretation of the classic Renault 5, then a platform was designed to match. In this so-called "AmpR Small" platform, the batteries are part of the load-bearing structure, providing extra safety (crumple zone, rigidity), extra agility (room for steering front wheels and an advanced rear suspension) and extra interior space. If the 5 had been an internal combustion engine car, the car would be a lot bigger in all directions.

Renault 5
Renault 5

Both inside and out there are many hints to the classic Renault 5. This is not only in the basic shape of the bodywork, but also in little things like the pattern of the rear lights. In them one can recognise the air vents of yesteryear, which contribute to the aerodynamics this time thanks to their unusual shape. The openings above the front number plate and the wide-beam headlamps are all based on the classic R5. What looks like an air intake on the bonnet is in fact an indicator showing progress while charging. The test car in yellow looks so nice that the test driver is already in a cheerful mood before the test drive begins!

Space

On the inside, there is perhaps even more retro fun than outside. The interior atmosphere is unmistakably French with a "flat" dashboard on which the various controls are located. At the same time, the build quality and choice of materials provide a mature feel. Storage space in the cabin is slim. The glove compartment is small and the door pockets are so shallow that items easily fall out when opening and closing the doors.

The seats are more inspired by the Renault 5 Turbo than those of average versions. By French standards, they are very firm (but still comfortable after many hours of driving). During an earlier encounter with a prototype, headroom left something to be desired. That has been solved in the production model and drivers of varying stature sit well in the 5. Given the car's dimensions, it will come as no surprise that legroom in the rear is minimal. Since the engine, drivetrain and converter are all at the front, boot space is substantial (326 litres). It does, however, have a boot and high lift threshold.

Equipment

On the dashboard are two displays, which run from behind the steering wheel to halfway up the dashboard and appear to be one. A screen offers the possibility of displaying data in different ways and Renault makes the most of this by giving the driver a choice of layouts with an emphasis on navigation, safety or consumption. The design is always a successful mix of modern ergonomics with retro elements.

Renault 5

This also applies to "Reno": the smart assistant. It is shaped like a Renault logo, with a happy face inside. Reno dances smoothly across the screen when the driver communicates, extracting information from three sources. Simple questions, on car settings for example, Reno handles itself. For navigation, Google Maps is consulted. Questions that require intelligence are forwarded to ChatGPT (a 5-year contract is included with the car, after which annual subscription payments are required). Those concerned about privacy (Google stores everything, ChatGPT uses everything as training data) can not choose to decline the terms and conditions and fall back on their own smartphone Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard audio system is provided by Arkamis and has a simple, honest sound (4 speakers in basic versions, 6 speakers in deluxe versions).

The 5 is equipped with the safety features required by the European Union. In doing so, Renault goes no further than necessary, as a camera monitoring the driver's face is not present. As far as Autozine is concerned, this is a good choice, as in practice such cameras already warn when the driver is looking over the shoulder to safely change lanes. As with all new Renaults, the driver can easily switch off all unwanted assistance at the touch of a button.

Recharging and range

The aim of the new Renault 5 is to make electric driving accessible to a large target group. This is why the 5 is available with different batteries and engines. The base version has a battery with a capacity of 40 kWh, giving it a range of 300 km. This version is aimed at buyers who can charge at home and/or make mainly short trips. For those who charge on the street and cannot or do not want to charge every day, there is a version with a 52 kWh battery and then the range is 400 km. This range was easily achieved during the test under favourable weather conditions (test consumption 14.3 kWh / 100 km).

To keep the price low, public charging is possible at 11 kW. Fast charging is possible at 80 kW or 100 kW (depending on the engine chosen). These are by no means record speeds, but given the battery capacity, it is a decent balance between price and charging speed. Entering a fast charger as a destination in the sat nav preheats the battery to actually achieve the promised maximum charging speed. Note that those who do not agree to Google's terms and conditions cannot pre-heat the battery as this depends on Google Maps.

Renault 5

Very unfortunate: the charging socket is on the front left. This makes for a large boot space, but it almost forces the driver to park forward in angled spaces (larger turning circle, less visibility when reversing out). When parked parallel to the street, there is a risk of other cars or cyclists damaging the charging gate.

Performance

The electric motor and controlling electronics come from the Renault Megane Electric, with the 5 offering a choice of 95 hp, 120 hp and 150 hp electric motors. As with the Megane, the "automatic" is controlled by a lever on the steering wheel. Although this seems convenient, there are so many levers on the steering wheel that it causes confusion. More than once, the windscreen wipers were engaged instead of reverse. Confusing and awkward: the automatic does not have a "park" mode. Instead, neutral is selected and the parking brake applied as soon as the driver releases the seat belt or opens the door. This seems clever, but those who don't want to keep the brake pedal depressed for minutes at, say, a level crossing should select "neutral" and apply the handbrake themselves.

For this test, the 150 hp electric motor was driven, making the 5 downright fast. Response to the accelerator is eager and direct. In sport mode, it even comes with some supremacy and the front wheels can only just contain the power. In eco mode, this beast actually calms down and the R5 invites comfortable revving. Up to around 100 km/h, driving noises are minimal. Only at high speed and in bad weather is driving wind audible around the wing mirrors.

Renault 5

It is possible to recover energy when releasing the accelerator, but this effect is not strong enough to enable single-pedal driving. Examples produced after March 2025 will have levers behind the steering wheel that allow different levels of regeneration to be selected.

Driving characteristics

Alpine, Renault's sporty subsidiary, is offering a sporty version of the 5. To meet the demands of this exclusive brand, the "A290" is equipped with a highly advanced rear suspension ("multilink"). It would be too costly to equip the Alpine A290 and the Renault 5 with different suspensions. The Renault 5 therefore also benefits from technology generally reserved only for higher-end cars. Also, the 5 stands on unusually large wheels, the car is relatively light and the batteries in the floor ensure a low and central centre of gravity.

The result is dynamic handling that was previously unprecedented in this segment! The steering is light, precise and direct, making the 5 exceptionally dynamic and willing to play. Also thanks to its low build (it's not an SUV!), the 5 gives a confidence-inspiring feel that is never violated even when driving very sporty. The only risk is that the driver may be tempted to drive faster than the (traffic) situation allows. Those who manage to resist the temptation will find that the 5 is also a very comfortable car.

Renault 5

Conclusion

In the 1970s, the Renault 5 was the right car at the right time. After an extremely enjoyable test drive, it can be concluded that this is the case  once more. Back then, the Renault 5 made mobility accessible to a large group of motorists. The 5 Electric does so again by making electric driving more accessible.

But... the Renault 5 Electric is a lot more than an economical electric car. Its likeable appearance makes the model so appealing that many will fall for the 5 regardless of its technology or financial benefits. Its looks also make Renault stand out positively from the tsunami of cheap electric cars from China.

Perhaps the most important conclusion: the Renault 5 drives as well as it looks. Or to put it more plainly, this is the best handling car in its segment, electric and non-electric. The combination of its low build (it is not an SUV!), modern platform, advanced suspension, large wheels, low centre of gravity, precise steering and eager electric motor make this a car that makes every drive a treat. So the Renault 5 Electric is cheaper to buy, more fun to look at and better to drive and there is only one word for that: irresistible.

plus
  • Sporty and comfortable
  • Successful design / strong image
  • Good performance, low fuel consumption, long range
minus
  • Automatic has no P-mode
  • Privacy concerns due to Android and ChatGPT
  • Awkward and dangerous location charging socket