Renault 5 electric, how it goes and what one of the most anticipated models on the market offers

Building affordable electric cars in Europe is possible.Perhaps reinventing iconic models of the past and preserving their charm, as demonstrated by the electric Renault 5.

We told you almost everything about her last February, when we made a detailed portrait of the rebirth of the Renault 5, now electric for the first time, recounting similarities (but also inevitable distances) compared to the original French city car of the Seventies (for those who missed the article you can see it again here).Today we return to the topic of that Renault 5 electric, E-Tech Electric the correct name, we can tell you more: how is it going, what does it offer, how much does it cost.

And after our test, we can also confirm a first sensation, perhaps the most evident:fun (very...), with the ease of driving of a city car but capable of tackling weekend trips without giving up, the energy efficiency of a heat pump air conditioning system, accessible (with prices of entrance which will soon descend around 25 thousand euros, but for now they start from 32,900 euros for the 150 horsepower E-tech version), quite a few.

When will the more accessible versions arrive (without direct current charging...) and the sportier ones (Alpine with 220 horsepower)

The public would certainly have appreciated having the 25,000 euro "entry level" version immediately, in all likelihood the most awaited.For now we have only been able to try the most powerful version, i.e. the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric equipped with the 110 kW or 150 horsepower electric motor (made without the use of rare earths), with a 52 kWh battery and 410 kilometers of autonomy.

This is the only version currently available, while a early 2025 the two most accessible variants will arrive, with 90 and 70 kW (120 and 95 horsepower respectively), with a 40 kWh battery, a range of 312 kilometers and a price that should be around 25 thousand euros (the entry level set-up, however, will not have DC charging, which has already powered some discontent on social media).A sports version is also planned, the Alpine A290 with 220 horsepower, which will be positioned at the top of the range.

Had the Renault 5 been electric already in the Seventies, it would have conquered the hippie movement

In short, the electric Renault 5 today has not only retained, at least in part, the vintage charm of the original, but in this “eco-version”, green, yellow, orange, although profoundly revised and corrected, it would have been very popular even in the Seventies, by that hippie culture that was already thinking about environmentalist issues.

Proudly produced in France on a platform shared by the alliance Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi (Renault, however, underlines the "local" character of the project, with the production site in the north of France, suppliers as local as possible, batteries assembled in the same factory from which the original Renault 5 came out...).Demonstrating, among other things, that Europe is gearing up to produce compact and accessible electric cars, the only way to increase their diffusion. Well done! as the French would say.But let's go back to the electric Renault 5.

Tariffs are not needed against China, just mix innovation and heritage.And voilà!

As always, we will leave every consideration to you regarding the design of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric.Reviewing it again months later, not in a study (as happened months ago) but in a real context, we only add that the operation resembles that of Fiat with the 500, i.e. inevitably increased dimensions (even if the current ones 3 meters and 92 are a very reasonable length for the city, halfway between a Clio and a Twingo to name two popular Renault models) it's true, but an almost intact "pop" charisma, especially if you choose pastel colors bright (5 in total for now), like the yellow of the version we tried.

The demonstration that the cultural heritage of European industry and design, the history of iconic models of the past, if revised & corrected with wisdom, constitute an unparalleled wealth (for China...).Well, perhaps we would have avoided that "gigantism” of the large 18-inch rims, more accessible tire sizes could also be offered for a city car (e.g more efficient in terms of autonomy).

For the interiors recycled fabrics and biocomposite materials

Once on board, the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric offers a mix of practicality, space and once again some references to the past.Those who already know the most recent electric models of the brand, such as Megane or Scenic E-Tech (but it already happened in a similar way on the R5 of the Seventies), will find the comfortable gear lever on the steering wheel, a choice that leaves more space for objects in the central space between the seats.

Comfortable seats, coverings that are pleasant to the touch, with a jeans-type fabric obtained from recycled plastic bottles or others fabrics always obtained from processes recycling, (the most “virtuous” versions are Techno and Iconic).Other components resort to recycled or biocomposite materials, confirming a Renault commitment that increasingly goes beyond the simple electrification of a car, but which also affects components and production phases.

Habitability and connectivity

Remaining on board, but still stationary, from the two displays, one in front of the steering wheel (the size of which varies depending on the versions), the other 10-inch central, becoming familiar with the electric Renault 5 is quite intuitive. Easy to select driving modes (and can be associated with different colors for internal lighting), clear graphics, many customizations which, even if we have not had the opportunity to experiment, allow us to create a unique environment.

As on other Renault models, here too the multimedia system is that of Google (useful in the navigatorElectric route planner which suggests the itinerary with the most available recharges), with Google Assistant voice recognition, numerous Apps, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, with cable or wireless.And so far no surprises.

Space for passengers? Ideal in front, less so in the rear, where the electric Renault 5 seems more designed for two kids at most (even if the official approval is for 5);the space for legs and especially feet is in fact a little tight for two adults, a limit that can be explained by the positioning of the battery under the floor. For those traveling behind Air vents and USB sockets are missing.The boot, on the other hand, is good, modular (by folding down the rear seatbacks), just the right size and with a comfortable base for storing the charging cables.

Silent (more than other electric ones...) and pleasant

But how does the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric fare on the road?Agile on curves, comfortable, easy to park.Silent, of course.In short, easy and fun, partly common to many electric models but here with a truly successful balance.Much credit goes to the steering, which always provides pleasant road feedback, more or less sensitive depending on the driving mode chosen.

But also at rear suspension, more refined in layout than the average B-segment city car.The results can be felt.While efforts to contain the weight (the Renault 5 weighs 300 kilos less than the electric one Zoe, which went out of production last March) and the advantages of a battery mounted under the "floor" translate into overall pleasant travel, what we at LifeGate have long called travel serenity.

The autonomy (the real one...) and that truly remarkable comfort

The performance? Very interesting are both the acceleration (it takes 8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h) and the top speed, electronically limited to 150 km/h. Real autonomy? Of the over 400 kilometers declared, approximately 320 reals in mixed use, destined to rise if you often drive in the city.All with a acoustic comfort notable for the category.Comfort, Sport, Eco and Perso are the 4 driving modes, plus "B" to increase energy regeneration when braking or downhill (the "option" will also arrive in the futureone pedal”, i.e. a stronger deceleration that almost avoids the use of the brakes, just take your foot off the accelerator);the funny thing is that it can be a suggestion when to switch from one mode to another virtual assistant which, in addition to this, can give other advice and information, thanks to the integration with artificial intelligence ChatGPT

Charging times and methods range from 30 minutes to 3 hours

On charging, as standard on all versions there is an 11 kW battery charger that allows the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric to recharge, in our case the battery is the 52 kWh one, from 15 to 80 percent in just over 3 hours.Which drops to 30 minutes if charging is rapid, i.e. in direct current (as mentioned, an option not available on the cheapest version), as with the fast charging stations so to speak.The external indicator on the bonnet is interesting and allows you to understand from the outside how much autonomy there is.

The electric Renault 5 beyond function V2L (vehicle-to-load) which allows you to recharge an e-bike or an electric scooter, when it is possible in Italy you will also be able to take advantage of the V2G (vehicle-to-grid), to reinject electricity into the home network (provided you have a contract that allows this, obviously).

Safety, up to 26 Adas driver assistance systems

Let's close this first journey aboard the electric Renault 5 with some reflections on the topic road safety, especially the one defined as active, that is, the one which, through the Adas driving assistance systems, allows us to reduce risks, errors and distractions.As?With a system that monitors the driver's attention, automatic emergency braking is also active when reversing (if there is an obstacle that we haven't seen, the car warns us first and then brakes on its own), the system that makes exiting and opening the doors safe, which in Renault they call "Occupant safety exit” and which, in fact, are a rarity on city cars like the electric Renault 5.

In everything it is possible to have 26 driving assistance devices, selectable from a single button to the left of the steering wheel which allows you to activate or deactivate the various systems which, as you can easily imagine, would be better if they always remained active: the Renault 5 can monitor your driving behaviour, give you a rating and related advice, an incentive to make your driving style more sustainable and safe.