Renault 5 long term test: report 5
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 7703 List price new £26,995 Target Price £26,995 Price as tested £27,395 Official range 251 miles Test range 209 miles
23 September 2025 – Hidden high-tech wizardry
The Renault 5 may look to the 1980s for its design inspiration, but when it comes to tech, it’s bang up to date – and I don’t just mean because it’s electric.
One natty feature is its brake-by-wire system, which was developed in conjunction with components manufacturer and tyre specialist Continental. Instead of traditional hydraulic braking, my car has an electronic system that uses a sensor to monitor how heavily the driver is pressing on the brake pedal, with this then telling its electric pump how much braking pressure to exert.
Brake-by-wire not only saves on space and weight – it can also be tuned to suit different conditions and driver preferences. For example, on the Renault 5 (which has four driving modes as part of its Multi-Sense system) the brakes will be applied more forcefully when you select Sport mode and more gently in Eco. The adjustments occur alongside changes to the steering and suspension when the driver switches modes.
In everyday driving, the one thing I’ve noticed is how this tech makes it easy to slow and stop the R5 smoothly; here it’s far better than the electric Megane and Scenic, whose conventional systems result in rather snatchy braking that makes you look like you’ve only just passed your driving test.
I’ve also really started to appreciate the My Renault app, which lets me start a charge, check what energy level the battery is up to, and set the air-con while I’m away from my car. Unlike some rival apps, which are overly complicated and suffer frequent glitches, the Renault one is proving both reliable and easy to navigate.
In other news, a recent drive in my Renault 5’s twin, the Nissan Micra, reminded me of a feature that’s missing from my car. You see, the Micra in question was a top-spec Evolve model, which meant it had adjustable lumbar support on the driver’s seat. This is also fitted to the equivalent Renault 5, whereas my mid-level Techno car does without it.
Now, this doesn’t actually bother me; I find the seat without adjustable lumbar well shaped and supportive. However, taller drivers who’ve tried my car have said it can leave them with lower back pain on longer drives.
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