Renault is all about bringing retro design cues from iconic old models to the modern day, and it may definitely be on to something. Having lived with the new Renault 5 E-Tech for a couple of days, it’s one of the most compelling EVs that I’ve driven in a long time, blending head-turning design with all the desirable traits that you expect from an electric city car.
This car is all about the design. Driving it and leaving it parked amongst downtown Bucharest’s eclectic tangle of historic buildings, it absolutely looks at home. It makes most new cars look so last decade, even if it itself takes a lot of cues from Renault hatchbacks of decades past. I have so far looked back at it every time I’ve locked it and walked away, which is a clear sign that Renault has got the design right.
Gallery: Renault 5 E-Tech
Renault has done a tremendous job with the exterior design of this car, seamlessly integrating design elements from the 1972 original Renault 5 (known in the States as the LeCar), as well as the later rally-honed Turbo 2 model and the revised 5 that dropped in 1984. But there’s nothing dystopian here. Everything comes together into a visual package that you just can’t hate, even if you may not be on board with the whole retro-futuristic design trend.
However, all of the above would have been for nothing if Renault didn’t make it drive well. Thankfully, if there’s one automaker that knows how to make a good city car, it’s the one with the diamond badge. Having previously owned two Clio city cars, which I really liked and always think fondly of, I’m happy to report that the fun is still there and the new Renault 5 is great to drive. It’s the perfect instrument to carve through a congested city.
It may only have 150 horsepower, but it accelerates quickly, puts its power down well, and it is blessed with especially good steering that gives you confidence. It’s also surprisingly dynamically accomplished, keeping body roll in check but without feeling like it has dampers made of granite, which is the case with some new cars with overly firm suspension setups.
Specs-wise, it’s not amazing, with a 52 kilowatt-hour battery that is good for about 250 miles (400 km) WLTP and a peak DC fast-charging power rating of 100 kW. However, it’s pretty efficient (almost matching the manufacturer's claim) and you can get surprisingly close to the claimed range (which is often not the case with WLTP estimates), and given its relatively small battery, it charges quickly enough.
It's not perfect, and there are some quirks and weird design decisions, but you'll get to read about those in the full review coming soon.
I’m going to spend a couple more days with the R5, and I will be able to answer any questions you may have about it. Leave a comment, or feel free to drop me an e-mail at andrei.nedelea@insideevs.com and I’ll try to come up with an answer for you.
