Test drive of the Renault 5 E-Tech 150 CV: will it live up to its legacy?

They say classics never die… they just wait for the right moment to return. Today, almost half a century later, that spirit is back. But this time, without a single drop of petrol. Fully electric. Completely new. And yet it is still the… Today we have with us the Renault 5 E-Tech 100% Electric, a vehicle that not only pays homage to a classic, but has also been named European Car of the Year 2025. But does it live up to expectations? Let’s find out.

https://youtu.be/B4k6eQT-crU

The Renault 5 E-Tech is built on the AmpR Small platform, formerly known as CMF-B EV. It is the same platform that will underpin the Renault 4 E-Tech and the Nissan Micra EV, a platform that houses only the motor and front-wheel drive. The new Renault 5 retains the essence of the original 1970s model, with a neo-retro design that blends nostalgia and modernity.

At the front, the square LED headlights with Pixel Light technology stand out, along with the closed grille that simulates an air intake, featuring an illuminated ‘5’ that shows how much battery charge remains (5 bars, 20% each), and 18-inch alloy wheels in the Iconic Cinq finish. These dimensions place it in the B-segment, being more compact than a Clio but roomier than a Twingo.

I love its design, and I don’t think it’s the only one. It has a small red line running along the two-tone roof, but there are other colour combinations too. There are up to 14 colour options available, plus a special Roland Garros version with several roof and door vinyl options for an extra €600.

Efficiency or sportiness?

The Renault 5 E-Tech offers two battery and motor options to suit different needs. The version with the 40 kWh battery delivers 120 CV and a range of up to 312 km on the WLTP cycle. There is also another version with the same battery but with 95 CV and 300 km of range, available only in the Five trim. On the other hand, the version with the 52 kWh battery offers 150 CV and a range of up to 420 km, which is the one we are testing and, to my taste, the most balanced. Both versions have front-wheel drive.

But watch out, because this 150 CV version has fast charging of 100 kW on direct current and 11 kW on alternating current. The 120 CV version also has DC charging, but only at 80 kW, and the most basic version does not support DC charging at all.

Functional… and nostalgic interior

On entering, we find a cabin that fuses classic style with modern touches. The dashboard features a two-level design with recycled materials, and the seats are inspired by the R5 Turbo, and are quite comfortable.

There is also a digital instrument cluster with five display options, which can be 7 inches on the Evolution trim or even 10 inches on the better-equipped Techno and Iconic Cinq versions. And in the centre of the dashboard, a 10-inch horizontal screen dedicated to infotainment, large enough to manage all functions comfortably and visually, with the OpenR Link system, wireless Apple CarPlay connectivity and the ‘Reno’ avatar, with which we can interact in many ways.

You can also add the Winter Comfort pack, which includes heated front seats and steering wheel for €500, although for heating the cabin there is a heat pump and an 8 kW resistive heater for when the temperature needs to rise very quickly.

Despite its compact size, the Renault 5 E-Tech offers a 277-litre boot, bearing in mind that a Clio has 254… beating many of its rivals in the segment, although with the rear seats folded in a 60:40 configuration, capacity increases to 1,100 litres. In the rear seats, space is adequate for short journeys, although it can be tight for adults on long trips. Mind you, at my height of 1.90 m…

Up to 420 km of range and incredible dynamics

During our test, the Renault 5 E-Tech proved to be an agile car, fun to drive and a “magnet for glances” wherever you go. The suspension is well calibrated, with MacPherson struts front and rear, and it perfectly hides the 1,500 kilos of this model. It is everything needed for urban journeys and offers a good balance between comfort and dynamism. The B mode, or Brake mode, increases engine braking and extends the life of our brakes by working the electric motor’s retention, a very useful mode for more efficient city driving. Although it’s true that I would have much preferred paddles behind the steering wheel so we could manage the energy ourselves.

With the 150 CV engine, the Renault 5 E-Tech accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.0 seconds and reaches a top speed of 150 km/h (limited). With the 122 CV version, the acceleration figures increase to around 9.0 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h, and it is likewise limited to 150 km/h.

Another thing that surprised me is how firm and hard the brake pedal is. It has little travel and feels quite stiff. There are also two regenerative braking modes managed from the gear lever, either D or B, and that’s it. It is not a sports car, but it is surprisingly capable through corners thanks to the suspension and its light weight of 1,500 kilos. If we want more sporty sensations, however, we should look at the Alpine A290.

As for safety, the Renault 5 E-Tech is equipped with a wide range of driver assistance systems. It features automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and the QRescue system with a QR code for emergencies. It also has multiple airbags and a reinforced structure to ensure the safety of all occupants.

And now, its consumption. Many people say it’s a car that uses a lot of energy, but the truth is that during our test, the Renault 5 E-Tech with the 52 kWh battery showed an average consumption of 12.7 kWh/100 km in mixed driving, although the homologated figure is 16 kWh/100 km. This performance allows a real-world range of approximately 340 km on a single charge, which, given a homologated 420 km, is quite good.

For under €25,000… it’s worth considering

But what is really interesting is the price: from €27,900, which drops to €26,784 with the discount for the Evolution trim. And at this price you can deduct the up to €7,000 in purchase aid from the MOVES Plan if you scrap an old car… plus the income tax deduction for buying an electric car, which goes up to €3,000. For this version, Renault offers a monthly payment from €95 through the Preference multi-option credit. It’s also worth noting that the Renault diamond brand passes the MOVES Plan aid on to its customers upfront.

And this version, the most powerful at 150 CV, starts from €31,000, which, if you also take advantage of the aid, can be yours for €25,000.

At this price, an alternative is the BYD Dolphin, provided you can benefit from the Chinese brand’s promotion, which brings the final price down to €19,990 including the MOVES Plan. Admittedly, the Dolphin is more powerful, with 204 CV, and its 60.4 kWh battery offers almost 430 km of range. Of course, it doesn’t have the charm of the Renault 5.

The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric 2025 is a solid proposition for those looking for an urban car with style, technology and efficiency. Its attractive design, combined with good range and a competitive price, make it a very interesting option in today’s market.