Review: Renault 5 E-Tech

To say anticipation for the return of the Renault 5 has been fever pitch would be quite the understatement.

Indeed, while the car industry loves a good revival – just look at the MINI and Fiat 500 – the manner in Renault teased the return of one of its most successful nameplates whipped up a veritable frenzy among press and public alike.

Better yet, when we did finally get our hands on the 2026 Renault 5, it has not only lived up to the hype, it has exceeded it.

Sitting alongside the Clio as a funky, neo-retro electric alternative, the Renault 5 E-Tech not only oozes charm, it offers zero emissions affordability, loads of modern technology and drives with vigour.

Don’t call it a comeback, the new Renault 5 leads from the front…

Renault 5 E-Tech Styling

For many, the Renault 5 E-Tech will sell itself purely on its styling alone, and not just because it is an exquisite example of how to reimagine a classic design for a modern audience.

For those of an older generation that can remember the original – a model that generated more than 5.5 million sales between 1972 and 1996 – the 5 E-Tech wears its ancestral inspiration like a badge of honour.

Whether it is the squat wheels-at-each-corner stance, the steeply raked rear end or chunky front-end, the new 5 E-Tech is a clear descendant of its forebear.

While the profile has hints of the past, however, it is the attention to detail when you look closer that really makes the 5 E-Tech desirable.

You have squared-off fog lamps, the eye-lined headlights, the various ‘5’ motifs dotted about the bodywork and chunky R5 Turbo-inspired wheelarches. It’s all brought together by a dizzying array of colourway options, including one that matches dark blue paint with gold wheels in a tribute to the epic Renault Clio Williams of the 90s.

In short, Renault’s designers absolutely understood the brief when it came to styling a 5 E-Tech for the 21st century.

Renault 5 E-Tech Interior

The retro-modern theme continues inside where technology and nostalgia meet to stylish effect.

Base models come with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen flanked by another 7-inch information display, while upper trims gets a 10.3-inch screen.

For those who like their tech, you’ll likely get a kick out of ‘reno’ an avatar that acts as a ChatGPT AI-powered assistant to help you navigate streets, answer questions or complete tasks in lieu of a phone.

Gizmos and gadgets aside, however, it is the way the 5 E-Tech’s interior feels like it has been carefully crafted that really makes the difference.

From the fabric-covered door panels to the upholstered passenger shelf to the ribbed stitching on the seats, the 5 E-Tech looks and feels special the moment you slide in.

There is even the option to include a so-called ‘baguette holder’ in what is a very tongue-in-cheek nod to the 5 E-Tech’s unmistakable French-ness.

Space Inside the Renault 5 E-Tech

While the Renault 5 E-Tech is pitched as an easy-to-drive, easy-to-park urban hatchback, it still packs in a reasonable amount of interior and boot space.

At just under four-metres in length, the 5 E-Tech is marginally larger than a MINI but smaller than the sister Renault Clio.

A 277-litre boot is modest but well-shaped, while those with a need to carry larger items can drop the back seats to extend it out to 959-litres.

If practicality is high on your wish list though, fortunately there is an alternative in the larger, more spacious Renault 4 E-Tech.

Like the 5, the 4 E-Tech is a modern reinterpretation of a model from Renault’s history books and – like the 5 – is dripping in retro themes, albeit in a practical SUV-style package.

Behind the Wheel of the Renault 5 E-Tech

If the design is a direct nod to the past on the surface, then the mechanicals of the 5 E-Tech are thoroughly modern under it.

Indeed, central to the 5 E-Tech package is its electric-only powertrain options, which comprise a 40kWh (Urban Range) and 52kWh (Comfort Range) battery choice.

Returning 193-miles and 249-miles respectively, the 5 E-Tech is engineered to cope with the rigours of stop-start city driving, while allowing enough flexibility to venture onto the motorway or country roads.

Being electric, the 5 E-Tech feels responsive on the throttle, which complements a sporty chassis set-up that delivers taut, balanced cornering.

The 5 E-Tech excels at lower speeds though, where the light steering and manageable dimensions make changing lanes or darting down streets feel like a breeze.

Renault 5 E-Tech Trims

Vertu’s Verdict on the Renault 5 E-Tech

It’s not a stretch to say that the Renault 5 E-Tech is one of the most desirable cars on sale right now… that it is also an affordable and attainable car for the masses simply multiplies its appeal.

It’s a stylish and desirable car from every angle, but it’s the attention to detail – both inside and out – that really helps the 5 E-Tech stand out from the crowd.

Even if you aren’t quite sold on the design, the 5 E-Tech is fun to drive, offers impressive range and costs just pennies to run too.

It’s little wonder the little 5 has quickly become a big sales hit for Renault.

Who is the Renault 5 E-Tech Best Suited To?

• Urban drivers seeking a stylish way to lower their running costs
• First-time buyers who want a desirable small car with lots of tech
• Enthusiasts motors wanting a fun driving experience
• Anyone who remembers the original and want to re-live their youth!