Could the new Renault 4 E-Tech be even more impressive than the smash hit Renault 5?
If the 5 is just a bit too small for you, the new Renault 4 E-Tech should suit your needs perfectly. It boasts similarly retro-flavoured styling to the 5, but a bigger body and a greater focus on versatility – just like the utilitarian classic model.
2025 Renault 4 E-Tech prices and specs
Three trim levels are available, with the Evolution model kicking things off at £26,995. Standard equipment is strong, with features such as 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, two-zone climate control, auto lights and wipers, cruise control and a reversing camera all included. It's better equipped than the equivalent 5, but no more expensive.
The R4's mid-spec Techno trim is a £2,000 increase on Evolution, and that buys you park assist, adaptive cruise, front parking sensors, 48-colour ambient lighting, wireless phone charging and built-in Google mapping with tailored route navigation for electric cars.
Top-spec Iconic costs £30,995 – a further £2,000 more than Techno – and gains an electrically operated bootlid, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring and a mix of cloth and synthetic leather upholstery that's all recycled.
Techno and Iconic trims will let you pick an optional 'plein sud' electric canvas roof further down the line which, we're told, can be opened by voice control.
Six paint colours are available, including an exclusive Hauts-de-France green. Two of the three trims can have a black roof and, if you wish, a black bonnet.
Range and performance
Whereas the Renault 5 gets an entry-level powertrain with a 120hp motor and a smaller battery, all Renault 4s come with the upgraded 150hp motor and larger 52kWh battery. That's why the Renault 4 initially looks £4,000 more expensive than the 5, which starts at £22,995.
As such, the Renault 4's stats are competitive. The range figure is 241-247 miles, depending on trim level, and the ability to fast-charge at 100kW means a 15-80% top-up from a DC public charger takes half an hour. A home wallbox will fully charge the car's battery in under eight hours – so plug in before bed and both you and your car will wake up refreshed.
Acceleration promises to be very nippy, with the 0-62mph sprint taking 8.2 seconds.
One-pedal driving is available, so you can use the motor to slow you down while harvesting extra energy for the battery, although frustratingly it's not offered on the cheapest version. Similarly, you'll need Techno or Iconic for bi-directional charging, where you can power other electricals from the car's battery.
Interior and practicality
This is where the Renault 4 is better than the Renault 5. The 4 is a physically bigger car and has a longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear wheels), so it promises to be more spacious for rear-seat passengers. The boot is huge for the size of car, too, at 420 litres. There's an extra 55 litres under the boot floor for cable storage.
All models get a 10.1-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. A digital instrument cluster is standard as well, measuring seven inches on Evolution versions and 10 inches on higher-spec trims.
The original Renault 4 launched in 1961 and remained on sale until 1994, amassing over eight million sales globally.
The new car, meanwhile, will go up against a growing number of electric rivals including the BYD Dolphin and Kia EV3.
Shop used Renault electric cars for sale or read our Renault reviews.
