Some cars arrive with a weight of expectation. Others arrive with a smile. The new Renault 5 E-Tech manages both. It taps into nostalgia without leaning on it too heavily, while clearly being designed for modern life — and it pulls off that balancing act without feeling forced, gimmicky or overly retro.
As someone who sat on the judging panel that crowned it Scottish Car of the Year 2025, I initially approached the Renault 5 E-Tech with a mixture of curiosity and healthy scepticism.
Picture by Stuart Vance
Retro-inspired cars can easily become style exercises with little substance underneath. It didn’t take long behind the wheel, however, to understand why this car stood out. The Renault 5 isn’t just charming to look at — it’s well thought out, easy to live with, and genuinely suited to everyday use.
The Renault 5 E-Tech is a fully electric supermini built on the bespoke AmpR Small EV platform and marks an important step in Renault’s electric future.
Positioned below the Megane E-Tech, it’s aimed at drivers who want something compact, characterful and easy to live with, without sacrificing range, comfort or modern technology.
The car tested here was the Renault 5 Iconic five+ (from £25,945) with the larger 52kWh battery. That setup delivers a WLTP range of up to around 255 miles, making it suitable not just for city driving but for longer journeys too.
Power comes from a front-mounted electric motor producing around 150bhp, driving the front wheels through a single-speed automatic transmission.
Trim levels range from the £21,495 Evolution (120bhp) to Techno and Iconic, with the latter offering the most complete design and technology package. Pricing puts it up against the Mini Electric, Peugeot e-208 and Fiat 500e, but the Renault 5 arguably feels the most rounded of the group.
Design
Design is a huge part of the Renault 5’s appeal, and it’s been handled with care. The styling is unmistakably French, full of character, and packed with subtle nods to the original Renault 5 without feeling stuck in the past. I didn’t meet one person who turned their nose up at it – everyone instantly took a shine to it and that’s very unusual these days.
Its compact proportions work well, with short overhangs, a wide stance and clean, confident surfacing. Details like the LED lighting and the illuminated “5” on the bonnet — which also acts as a charging indicator — add personality without feeling overdone.
In Iconic trim, the Renault 5 looks particularly smart, with bolder wheel designs and tasteful contrast detailing. It attracts attention in a way few small cars do . . .
Interior
Inside, the Renault 5 continues its charm offensive, and arguably this is where it really distances itself from many rivals. The cabin is modern, playful and refreshingly characterful, avoiding the sterile, minimalist feel that has become almost default in the EV world.
Instead, Renault has leaned into colour, texture and subtle retro cues, creating an interior that feels cheerful without tipping into gimmickry.
The dashboard design is clean but layered, with fabric inserts, patterned trim and soft-touch materials in areas you interact with most. It doesn’t feel premium in a luxury-car sense, but it does feel thoughtfully designed — and crucially, it feels like somewhere you actually want to spend time.
In Iconic trim, the additional detailing and contrast stitching lift the ambience further, giving the car a real sense of occasion.
The driving position is spot-on. You sit comfortably upright, with excellent forward visibility thanks to the large windscreen and relatively slim pillars.
The seats themselves strike a good balance between comfort and support, remaining comfortable on longer journeys without feeling overly soft. They look great too and reminded me of the seats in a Renault Feugo I once admired many, many moons ago . . .
Steering wheel adjustment is generous, making it easy to find a position that suits, whether you prefer a relaxed commuter setup or something slightly more engaged.
Renault deserves credit for its control layout. While much of the functionality lives within the touchscreen, key climate controls are retained as physical buttons (Hooray!) — intuitive, easy to reach and far safer to operate on the move.
The infotainment system itself is sharp, responsive and logically laid out, with clear graphics and menus that don’t require a degree in software engineering to navigate.
Practicality is better than you might expect from a compact electric supermini. Up front, there’s a useful centre console, door bins that actually accommodate bottles, wireless phone charging (spec-dependent), and several well-placed storage cubbies for everyday clutter. Also, where else can you order a wicker baguette holder as an accessory?
In the rear, space is perfectly acceptable for the class. Adults will be comfortable on shorter journeys, and it works well for kids or teenagers on longer ones.
Isofix mounting points on the outer rear seats make it family-friendly, while the boot is sensibly shaped and easy to load — not cavernous, but more than adequate for weekly shops, weekend bags or coastal essentials.
Driving Impressions
The Renault 5 may be compact, but it feels reassuringly solid from behind the wheel. Around town, it’s immediately easy to drive: the steering is light but accurate, visibility is excellent, and the compact dimensions make tight streets and awkward parking spaces largely stress-free. It feels purpose-built for urban life, but crucially, it doesn’t feel limited to it.
The suspension setup is particularly well judged. Small EVs can often feel unsettled over poor surfaces due to battery weight, but the Renault 5 manages to strike an impressive balance. It absorbs bumps and broken tarmac with composure, never crashing or feeling brittle, even on less-than-perfect Scottish roads. Speed humps, potholes and uneven surfaces are dealt with quietly and confidently.
Out on faster roads, the Renault 5 settles into a relaxed, refined cruise. Road and wind noise are kept well in check, and the car feels planted and stable at speed. There’s a reassuring sense of weight and cohesion to the way it moves, which inspires confidence whether you’re joining a dual carriageway or threading along a flowing A-road.
A lunchtime run to St Andrews provided a chance to stretch its legs properly. On mixed routes, including open coastal sections, the Renault 5 felt composed and unflustered. It’s not a hot hatch, and it doesn’t pretend to be, but the chassis is well balanced and grip levels are strong. Push on a little and it responds faithfully, with tidy body control and predictable handling. The driving matches the looks – fun, fun, fun.
Performance is more than sufficient. With around 150 PS on tap, acceleration is brisk — particularly from a standstill, where the instant torque makes pulling away effortless.
Okay, it may not be quite as quick as the lovely Renault 5-based Alpine A290 GTS that I drove in the FIA Eco Rally, but overtakes are handled without drama, and the single-speed transmission keeps everything smooth and seamless. Drive modes allow you to tailor the response slightly, but even in its default setting, the Renault 5 feels lively enough to be genuinely engaging.
Perhaps most importantly, it’s an easy car to live with. Regenerative braking is well calibrated, making one-pedal driving intuitive rather than abrupt, and the overall driving experience encourages calm, confident progress rather than constant micromanagement. It’s a car that feels happy doing the everyday stuff — and that, ultimately, is where it excels.
Technology & Safety
Technology is well integrated rather than overwhelming. The digital driver display is clear and easy to read, while the central touchscreen handles navigation, media and vehicle settings logically.
Safety and driver-assistance features include adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring and automatic emergency braking. Importantly, these systems are helpful without being intrusive, and settings can be adjusted easily.
Smartphone connectivity, over-the-air updates and voice control round out a tech package that feels genuinely useful in daily life.
Ownership & Warranty
Renault offers a competitive warranty and sensible servicing intervals. Charging is straightforward, with DC rapid charging for longer trips and easy overnight charging at home. Running costs should be low, particularly for drivers switching from older petrol superminis.
Rivals
The Mini Electric offers slightly sharper handling but less range and practicality. The Peugeot e-208 is stylish and comfortable but lacks some of the Renault’s character. The Fiat 500e is charming but limited on space.
The Renault 5 stands out as the most balanced option.
Verdict
The Renault 5 succeeds because it understands what modern drivers want from a small electric car. It’s stylish without being showy, practical without being dull, and modern without losing its identity.
Winning Scottish Car of the Year 2025 wasn’t about nostalgia — it was about delivering a well-rounded, easy-to-live-with electric car that fits real life. And on that front, the Renault 5 gets it absolutely right.
At a Glance: Renault 5 Iconic 52kWh
- Make & model: Renault 5 Iconic
- Price (from): £25,945
- Powertrain: Single electric motor, FWD
- Power: 150 PS
- 0–62mph: 7.9 seconds
- Battery size: 52kWh
- WLTP range: Up to 255 miles
- Charging: DC rapid charging up to 100kW
