First drive: is the retro-inspired Renault 5 the coolest electric car in the world?

If you’re someone who thinks all electric cars are boring and all modern cars look the same, the Renault 5 is here to make you sit up and pay attention, because it’s a small EV that’s absolutely oozing desirability.

Its styling is inspired by the classic model of the same name that was first introduced back in the ‘70s, but it has an ultra-modern twist. Parked up in the serene rolling hills of West Sussex, it looks like someone crashed it through the screen of a video game set in the 2050s.

There are some lovely details. The broken square daytime running lights, which make it unmistakable at night, are a nod to the classic Turbo model, as is the ‘bonnet vent’ recommissioned in the form of a neat illuminated ‘5’ that indicates the battery’s state of charge.

Look past all of that flair and the Renault 5 is actually a sensible little electric car. There’s a choice of two batteries, with the entry-level version having a range of up to 190 miles and the bigger battery offering up to 250 miles, each priced in line with the car’s most obvious alternatives, the Citroen e-C3 and Hyundai Inster.

While there are some natural concessions to be made with this being a small car – for example it’s a touch tight in the driver’s seat for taller drivers, and there’s very little legroom in the back – the Renault 5’s 326-litre boot means you get more luggage space than both the e-C3 and the Inster. The BYD Dolphin is roomier still, but it costs a bit more, too.

Once you’re settled in, the boxy shape means that even though the 5 is quite small, it doesn’t feel claustrophobic. The interior design is simple yet cool, with interesting materials such as the fabric on the dashboard and doors of our test car meaning it doesn’t feel like it’s on the lower end of the price spectrum.

The two digital screens ahead of you – one for the instruments and driving information, the other for your infotainment – work really well, with chunky graphics that are easy to tap on the move and snappy loading between menus. You also get physical switches for the climate controls, which is a welcome inclusion.

From behind the wheel, the Renault 5 feels like it’s built for a British B-road. Its small dimensions mean you’re never stressing when things get a bit narrow and you can spend more time enjoying a twisty road. That’s something you’ll want to do, because the Renault 5 is nippy and agile with a real sporty feel. These attributes mean it’s also perfect for driving around the city as you can dart around busy urban streets.

As with most small cars it’s not the best-suited to motorway speeds. It’s perfectly stable and easy to drive, but there’s noticeable wind and road noise, something you don’t get with some bigger, but crucially, more expensive cars.

So yes, there are a few complaints about the Renault 5, but these are generally just inherent to small cars. If you don’t need space for a bulky child seat and don’t regularly drive your local basketball team to games, this is all the car you really need wrapped up in a design you really want. The fact it’s also great to drive is just the icing on the cake.

You can get a great price on this stylish EV with Carwow’s Renault 5 deals, and you can lease a Renault 5, too. Our network of trusted dealers means you can get a quality used Renault, too.

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