The 10 best Renault 5 EV alternatives in 2024

The new Renault 5 has had a great reception – potential buyers love the way it looks, with its retro-futuristic design, and they love the fact that it costs from less than £23,000, making it one of the most affordable EVs on sale.

But it’s not perfect – you may want something a little less brazen, for example, or with more room in the back seats. And while the 5’s 248-mile range is really competitive, you may need something that can go just that bit further. Maybe an EV doesn’t fit your life at all, and you’re looking for something similarly cool that’s powered by a petrol engine instead.

With all that in mind, here are some great alternatives to the new Renault 5 EV.

• Renault Clio
• Citroen e-C3
• Mini Cooper E
• Vauxhall Corsa Electric
• BYD Dolphin
• Kia EV3
• MG4 EV
• Toyota Yaris Cross
• Hyundai Inster
• Dacia Duster

Renault Clio

If the 5 doesn’t quite do it for you, why leave the Renault dealership at all when the perfect small car for you could be sat right there? The Renault Clio is one of the best hatchbacks you can buy, but unlike the 5 comes with either petrol or hybrid power, so it’s perfect if you’re not in the market for an EV.

The Clio is great value, drives really well and returns over 60mpg in hybrid form. It’s got a great interior with a huge boot for such a small car, and in posh Esprit Alpine trim it looks fab too. No wonder it was Highly Commended in the Smart Spender category of the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year Awards. You could also take a look at the closely-related Captur SUV if you need a little more space than the Clio.

Citroen e-C3

With a price tag even lower than the Renault 5’s, nearly 200 miles of electric range and a practical, square body, the e-C3 is full of surprises. It’s a budget EV that feels more expensive than it is, especially on the inside where really clever design choices disguise its bargain-basement origins.

A petrol or hybrid C3 is also available with an even cheaper price tag, but it’s the all-electric e-C3 that stands out. It doesn’t have as much range as the range-topping 5 but it’s good to drive, nippy enough and makes a fantastic city car.

Mini Cooper E

The Mini Cooper in any form is super-cool, especially on the inside where its standout circular infotainment screen makes it feel really futuristic. It’s fashionable, cute and great to drive.

You pay a fair bit more for a Cooper than you would for a 5 EV, but the basic E model still comes in at just £30,000 with a range of up to 185 miles. Opting for the SE gets you a Renault 5-matching 247-mile range, but with a big price jump. The three-door Cooper also has very limited rear space and a tiny boot, so it’s more of a fashion accessory than a family car.

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

In contrast to the Mini (above) the Vauxhall Corsa Electric is staunchly unfashionable. But it’s very competent, and if you prefer to fly under the radar then you might like that. It feels like a bigger, more substantial car than the 5, and if you opt for the 54kWh battery pack you get as much range as the pricier Renault 5, too.

With a reasonable-sized boot and back seats, a well-built interior that’s really easy to use, and comfortable driving dynamics that take the sting out of long journeys, the Corsa Electric is a very easy car to live with even if it’s not the most desirable. Discounts and generous finance offers help sweeten the deal.

BYD Dolphin

Chinese brand BYD can be hit and miss with its models, but the Dolphin is one of the good ones – it’s a surprisingly spacious electric hatchback that comes standard with loads of equipment.

It has a five-star Euro NCAP rating, tons of space in the back seats and feels really well-built for the price. Opt for a Comfort model and you get a Renault 5-beating 265 miles of range, too, though the cheaper model will still do an impressive 195 miles on a charge.

Kia EV3

The Kia EV3 feels like the Renault 5’s grown-up cousin. Coming in at more than £32,000 means it’s a fair chunk more expensive than the Renault but for that money you get a proper family-sized SUV with a huge boot and a 270-mile range.

You can step up to the £36,000 big-battery version to get a class-leading 375-mile range too, so if you like the Renault 5’s boxy style and classy interior but need an electric car that’s better suited to family life and long journeys (and don’t mind spending a bit extra) then check the Kia out.

MG4 EV

One of the best budget EVs around, the MG4’s scarcely-believable price tag includes more power and range than the Renault 5 for just about the same money. It’s a bigger car too, with more room inside, and despite its budget leanings drives brilliantly with comfortable suspension. It’s even quite fun in the corners.

It’s not as cute in style as the 5, of course, and its interior does give away where MG’s cut corners in terms of material and build quality. But even a couple of years on from introduction the MG4 represents amazing value-for-money.

Toyota Yaris Cross

If you live in the city and an electric car just doesn’t suit your lifestyle, have you thought about a hybrid instead to blend the best of both worlds? The Toyota Yaris Cross makes such a good city-slicker that we awarded it top spot in the Urban Living category of the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards.

Its hybrid engine is nippy and unbelievably economical – expect to see around 60mpg from it, or closer to 70mpg if you drive carefully. You get a reasonable level of space, too, and a big boot – plus, Toyota’s amazing reliability record and warranty cover means your ownership should prove trouble-free.

Hyundai Inster

Did somebody say ‘fashionable small electric car’? Hyundai wants a word – its Inster may not have the retro looks or heritage charm of the 5, but with its SUV proportions and bug-eyed styling it’s a truly charming alternative.

The 02 model undercuts the big-battery Renault 5 and offers a still-useful 229 miles of range, plus comes with cool features like fully flat-folding seats which allow you to sleep inside the vehicle. It’s pretty fun to drive, too.

Dacia Duster

If you’re not bothered about powertrain and you’re drawn to the Renault 5 because of its cool styling and low price tag – then the Dacia Duster might be a great alternative. It’s won the Smart Spender category in the 2025 Carwow Car of the Year awards purely because it offers so much bang for your buck.

Its rugged styling is far cooler than it needs to be, both inside and out. Adventurers will appreciate that you can still get a Duster with four-wheel drive, too, though a more sensible hybrid engine is also on offer if fuel economy is top of your list.

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