The narrow streets of Montmartre buzz with a familiar yet somehow different energy as a compact hatchback zips around a tight corner.
Its silhouette evokes instant nostalgia for anyone who lived through the 1970s and 80s, yet the absence of engine noise signals this is something altogether new.
The Renault 5 E-Tech has arrived, bringing the French manufacturer’s iconic supermini back to life – this time fully electric, blending retro-futuristic design with cutting-edge technology.
Resurrection of an Icon
Few vehicles have defined European streets quite like the original Renault 5. Produced from 1972 to 1996 across two generations, it sold over 9 million units and became a cultural touchstone – versatile enough to serve as everything from a modest family runabout to the basis for the legendary mid-engined R5 Turbo rally monster.
When Renault announced plans to reimagine this classic for the electric age, expectations soared.
“We didn’t want to create merely a retro design exercise,” explains Gilles Vidal, Renault’s Design Director. “The challenge was to capture the essence and character of the original while creating something thoroughly modern and forward-looking.”
The result is a vehicle that walks this tightrope with remarkable success. At first glance, the connection to its ancestor is unmistakable – the distinctive silhouette, the slightly upturned rear, the characteristic front fascia. Yet every element has been reinterpreted through a contemporary lens.
The front end features ingenious integration of modern lighting technology, with LED daytime running lights that echo the original’s round headlamps but add a playful digital twist.
The charging indicator is cleverly disguised within the bonnet vent – a nod to the original’s air intake. Side profiles showcase muscular haunches that add visual interest without sacrificing the clean lines that made the original such a design triumph.
Perhaps most impressively, Renault has retained the compact dimensions that made the R5 so perfectly suited to European urban environments.
At just under 4 meters long, the E-Tech variant remains true to its city-friendly roots despite housing a substantial battery pack.
Electric Architecture: The AmpR Small Platform
Beneath the heritage-inspired bodywork lies thoroughly modern engineering. The Renault 5 E-Tech rides on the company’s AmpR Small platform (previously known as CMF-B EV), an architecture designed specifically for compact electric vehicles.
This purpose-built foundation enables several significant advantages over converted combustion platforms. Battery placement in the floor creates a low center of gravity while maximizing interior space.
The electric motor sits at the front, driving the front wheels – maintaining the original’s handling characteristics while simplifying packaging and reducing production costs.
Two battery variants are offered: a 40kWh pack providing approximately 300km (186 miles) of range on the WLTP cycle, and a larger 52kWh option extending this to around 400km (248 miles). Both utilize NCM (Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese) chemistry, striking a balance between energy density, longevity, and cost.
Charging capabilities impress for this segment, with DC fast charging at rates up to 100kW enabling a 15-80% charge in approximately 30 minutes for the larger battery.
The onboard charger handles AC charging at up to 11kW, making overnight home charging straightforward with a properly equipped wallbox.
Performance specifications position the Renault 5 E-Tech firmly in the “peppy but not performance-focused” category, with power outputs ranging from 95hp in the entry model to 150hp in the range-topper.
The instant torque delivery characteristic of electric motors (up to 245Nm in the most powerful variant) ensures lively urban performance, with 0-100km/h (0-62mph) times between 7.8 and 9 seconds depending on specification.
Interior: Retro Meets High-Tech
Step inside the cabin and the balancing act between heritage and innovation continues. The dashboard design echoes the horizontal emphasis of the original, but now incorporates a digital instrument cluster and central touchscreen integrated into a single panel that curves gently toward the driver.
Physical controls remain for key functions – a welcome concession to usability over minimalist design trends. The climate controls feature delightful toggle switches with a mechanical action that provides satisfying tactile feedback.
Material choices prioritize sustainability without compromising quality feel. Recycled fabrics, including those made from marine plastic waste, cover the seats in most trim levels.
Traditional vinyl and leather are replaced with bio-based alternatives that significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining durability.
The interior color palette draws inspiration from the vibrant hues of the original Renault 5, with options ranging from restrained grays to bold yellows and blues. Ambient lighting allows further personalization, subtly highlighting key architectural elements of the cabin after dark.
Space utilization impresses given the compact external dimensions. Front occupants enjoy comfortable seating positions with adequate headroom even for taller individuals.
Rear accommodations prove suitable for adults on shorter journeys, though longer trips might test patience. The boot capacity of 310 liters expands to over 1,000 liters with the rear seats folded – competitive figures for this segment.
Technology Package: Smart and Connected
The technology suite in the Renault 5 E-Tech emphasizes meaningful innovation over gimmickry. The centerpiece is Renault’s OpenR Link infotainment system, powered by Google’s Android Automotive OS.
This provides native integration of Google Maps, Google Assistant, and access to apps through the Google Play Store without requiring a connected smartphone.
The system operates through a 10.1-inch central touchscreen complemented by a 10-inch digital instrument display. Response times impress, with minimal lag even when moving between resource-intensive applications. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto provide alternatives for those preferring their phone’s interface.
A standout feature is the avatar-based digital assistant, “Reno,” which appears as a stylized representation of the original Renault 5. This character responds to voice commands with surprising accuracy and adds personality to interactions with the vehicle’s systems. It’s a clever nod to heritage while embracing cutting-edge AI assistant technology.
Connectivity extends beyond entertainment to practical functions. The My Renault app allows remote monitoring and control of charging, climate pre-conditioning, and vehicle status. Over-the-air updates promise to extend functionality throughout ownership, potentially adding features and improving efficiency.
Driver assistance technologies include the expected modern safety suite: autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition.
More innovative is the smart route planner that factors charging stops into longer journeys, taking into account real-time charger availability and expected consumption based on topography and driving style.
Driving Experience: Electric Joie de Vivre
On the road, the Renault 5 E-Tech delivers a driving experience that complements its visual character – lively, approachable, and distinctly French in its balance of comfort and engagement.
The electric powertrain provides immediate response, with even the base model delivering satisfying acceleration from standstill. More powerful variants add a degree of enthusiasm that echoes – though doesn’t attempt to replicate – the spirit of the sportier original R5 variants.
A dedicated “Sport” driving mode sharpens throttle response and adds weight to the steering for a more engaging experience when desired.
Ride quality impresses, with the suspension tuning demonstrating typically Gallic skill in absorbing urban imperfections without feeling overly soft.
Body control remains composed during more enthusiastic cornering, though this is clearly a car designed for confident everyday driving rather than back-road blasts.
Regenerative braking offers multiple levels of intensity, selectable via paddles behind the steering wheel. The strongest setting enables near one-pedal driving in urban environments, though it stops short of bringing the car to a complete halt without brake pedal input. This system feels intuitively calibrated, allowing drivers to adapt quickly regardless of previous electric vehicle experience.
Refinement levels benefit from the inherent advantages of electric propulsion. Wind and road noise are well suppressed at city and suburban speeds, though become more noticeable on highways – a reflection of the car’s urban-focused design brief and price point rather than a significant criticism.
Market Positioning and Value Proposition
Speaking of price, the Renault 5 E-Tech occupies a crucial middle ground in the expanding electric vehicle market. Starting at approximately €30,000 before incentives for the base 40kWh model, it positions itself between budget-focused EVs like the Dacia Spring and premium compact offerings such as the MINI Electric or Peugeot e-208.
This positioning reflects Renault’s broader strategy of democratizing electric mobility while maintaining profit margins – no small challenge given the current economics of EV production.
By leveraging their dedicated electric platform across multiple models (the upcoming Renault 4 E-Tech will share this architecture) and focusing manufacturing in their ElectriCity hub in northern France, economies of scale should improve over time.
Standard equipment levels are generous across the range, with even entry models including the full infotainment system, LED lighting, and core driver assistance features. Higher trims add niceties like heated seats, enhanced audio systems, and larger wheels without pushing prices to unreasonable levels.
The value equation extends beyond the purchase price to ownership costs.
Maintenance requirements are significantly reduced compared to combustion vehicles, with Renault recommending simple checks every year but full services only at two-year/30,000km intervals.
Insurance classifications benefit from the robust safety systems and relatively modest performance figures despite the instant torque delivery.
Renault 5 E-Tech : More Than Nostalgic Exercise
In reimagining the Renault 5 for the electric age, Renault has achieved something remarkable: a vehicle that honors its heritage without being enslaved by it.
The E-Tech variant succeeds not merely as a nostalgic exercise but as a thoroughly modern interpretation that stands on its own merits.
What makes the Renault 5 E-Tech particularly significant is how it demonstrates that the transition to electric mobility doesn’t necessitate abandoning character or cultural connection.
By skillfully translating the essence of an iconic model to a zero-emission platform, Renault provides a template for how heritage brands can navigate the electric transition while maintaining their identity.
For potential buyers, the appeal extends beyond the environmental credentials or retro styling. This is a vehicle that delivers the practical benefits of electric driving – low running costs, refinement, instant response – wrapped in a package that sparks joy in a way few utilitarian vehicles manage.
It’s a compelling combination that should ensure the Renault 5 name continues to feature prominently on European streets for years to come.
As we return the keys after our test drive through Parisian streets, one thought remains: the original Renault 5 became an icon by being the right car for its time.
In bringing accessible, characterful electric mobility to a new generation, the E-Tech variant may well achieve the same status for very similar reasons – just with a different sort of energy flowing through its veins.