Renault 5 long term test: report 4
Back in January, we named the new Renault 5 as our overall Car of the Year, but now we're seeing if it continues to impress when you live with it every day...
The car Renault 5 E-Tech 150 comfort techno| Run by Claire Evans, consumer editor
Why it's here To see if the new Renault 5 impresses in everyday life
Needs to Raise a smile on rural roads at the weekends, and complete motorway commutes during the week without stress or too much expense
Mileage 7188 List price new £26,995 Target Price £26,995 Price as tested £27,395 Official range 251 miles Test range 215 miles
9 September 2025 – Seeing double
A funny thing happened to me the other day. I parked in a car park and felt like I was seeing double because the car in the space in front was identical to my Renault 5.
This isn’t the first green example I’ve seen and, considering the sales success of the small French hatchback so far, I shouldn’t really be surprised. More than 3000 have been sold since it went on sale in the spring, and it was the top-selling electric car to private buyers in April and May 2025.
It’s also brought swathes of new people to the brand because a staggering 84% of buyers hadn’t bought a Renault before, which surprises me because I’ve spoken to lots of people who used to own an original 5 and are now considering getting a new one. I am one of those people, having briefly owned a 5 and Renault 4 in the 1980s. Sadly the 4 succumbed to a common chassis corrosion issue that meant one front wheel buckled under the car a week after I got it, but the 5 was a basic but practical little hatchback.
That said, I’m relieved to see that, in spite of its retro looks, the R5 has grown up a lot since then. It’s miles more comfortable, quieter (thanks to its electric motor), well-equipped and smarter looking on the inside.
I really like the denim-coloured trim that’s standard on my Techno spec version, and I appreciate the fact that it’s made from recycled plastic bottles. Although the interior looks modern, it’s not gone minimalist like many EVs, so I have buttons to alter the temperature on the air-con, which is far preferable to having to delve into the infotainment touchscreen to do this.
I don’t usually think too much about how much storage space is in the centre console, but spending a couple of days in a far larger Mazda CX-80 made me realise how good the Renault 5 is in this respect. It has two large cupholders, a deep cubby at the front of the console, giving me enough room for all my kit, while the Mazda only has two small cupholders and a titchy front storage area.
It’s also good that the 5 has a small tray that the key card has to be placed on before you can start the car. This means there’s no chance of me accidentally driving away without the key.
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