Renault has launched its new small electric car, which looks almost identical to the concept and comes with an optional baguette holder
We’re calling it. The Renault 5 E-Tech will be the coolest electric car to be unveiled this year. With happy styling that’s faithful to the concept car – and to the original Renault 5 – fun colours and heaps of on-board tech, the new 5 promises to be a real disruptor in the small EV market.
The Renault 5 needs to stand out against a growing number of rivals, including established names like the Vauxhall Corsa electric and Peugeot e-208, and models from new-to-the-UK brands like the GWM Ora 03 and BYD Dolphin.
2025 Renault 5 EV prices and release date
The Renault 5 EV is planned to launch in the UK in the first three months of 2025. Prices and full specifications will be revealed in the coming weeks, but keen buyers can purchase a £150 R-Pass now – which lets you order your car 10 days before everyone else and ensures you’ll have one of the first UK deliveries.
While the 5 will effectively replace the Renault Zoe, the newer car will be cheaper. Entry-level 5s will start from around £25,000 – £6,000 less than the current starting price for the Zoe.
Interior and technology
Throughout the interior, there are nods to the classic Renault 5 models – the padded dashboard, two-tier layout and the seat upholstery are all inspired by past models. But the rest feels thoroughly modern, with two 10-inch screens featuring Renault’s impressive OpenR Link infotainment system that has Google software baked in.
Having Google Maps built in means you can easily plan charging stops on longer journeys, and it’ll also estimate how much battery you’ll have left when you arrive and how long the charge might take. The Google Play function gives you access to over 50 apps, which allow you to catch up with news, watch films, listen to music and even learn about local tourist destinations – while the car is stationary, of course.
The 5 launches Renault’s new ‘Reno’ voice assistant, which uses ChatGPT software for a more conversational experience. We’re told it can be used to schedule charging times as well as tell you how to increase your maximum range and even how to change a tyre. You can also have fun with it, as there are quizzes and jokes you can listen to.
Modern interiors can’t just be screen-heavy – they need to be sustainable, too. The funky denim trim is made from recycled plastic bottles, while the range-topping Iconic Five’s fabric trim is fully recycled.
The interior promises to be quiet and serene, with lots of soundproofing and an acoustic windscreen to limit ambient noise from passing traffic.
On certain trim levels, 3D-printed accessories are available – including extra storage cubbies and even a clip-on baguette holder for top tongue-in-cheek points.
Trim levels and specs
From launch, you’ve a choice of Techno or Iconic Five trim levels. 18-inch alloy wheels come as standard, as do the two large screens, a reversing camera, wireless phone charging, a charging indicator on the bonnet and a host of driver assist features.
Iconic Five is the first of a few scheduled ‘Collection’ trim levels, which will sit at the top of the range with changing themes. The Iconic Five boasts vintage-inspired yellow upholstery and lots of ‘5’ references, while a Roland-Garros version – harking back to a special-edition model of the same name – is coming later.
After launch, an entry-level Evolution model will join the lineup.
Battery, performance and charging
When the 5 goes on sale, every model will get a 52kWh battery and a maximum range of 248 miles. Later, a 40kWh battery with a 186-mile range will be introduced, and will almost certainly be cheaper than the bigger battery. A simplified battery casing structure saves 20kg over the Zoe’s battery pack.
A heat pump is fitted as standard, helping to improve efficiency in winter and limit the massive drop in range that EVs typically suffer from in colder conditions. The battery is liquid-cooled and, if you’re using Google Maps to plan your route, the car will precondition the battery ahead of arriving at the chargepoint so it charges as quickly as possible – just like a Tesla does.
The 52kWh battery is paired to a 150hp motor, while the smaller battery also gets a smaller power output of 120hp. The 150hp motor enables a 0-62mph time of under eight seconds, so the 5 will feel really nippy at town speeds.
The 5 is the first Renault EV to feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability. Its 11kW charger can power small electrical appliances from the car’s battery, or feed electricity back to the grid when it has some spare.
Impressively, the 40kWh battery takes just three-and-a-half hours to charge from 10-100% at an 11kW charger, and it’s only an hour longer for the bigger battery. However, most household wallboxes are around 7kW, so it’ll take a bit longer if you’re charging this way. When you’re out and about, you can recharge at 100kW – meaning a 15-80% charge takes around half an hour.
Styling and size
We’re used to electric cars being five-metre, three-tonne land whales, but the Renault 5 is refreshingly compact. It’s 3.92 metres long, which is a few centimetres shorter than a Clio, and is likely to weigh around 1.5 tonnes.
But the electric powertrain means the wheels can be pushed right out to each corner, increasing interior space. You even get a 326-litre boot, which is more than the Clio E-Tech hybrid offers and more than its direct electric rivals.
The styling is almost identical to the original concept car, so the 5 will be an eye-catching thing when it hits the road – especially as you can order it in bright yellow or green.
Charge up your commute with a small electric car
The Renault 5 is likely to start appearing in Motorpoint stores in the later half of 2025 or early 2026 so, in the meantime, browse our exciting selection of used electric cars or read about the best small electric cars currently on sale.
