The Real-World Verdict: Does the R5 Live Up to the Hype?

When Renault first pulled the wraps off the retro-futuristic concept, petrolheads and EV advocates alike crossed their fingers that the production car wouldn’t dilute the magic. Having spent extensive time analysing real-world feedback from our comprehensive UK EV Owners Poll, alongside dedicated Owner Reviews and Road Trip Reports on Electric Road, we can confidently say Renault has hit a home run! Just take a look below at how highly our Renault 5 owners rate their car.

Renault 5 E-Tech Owners’ Star Rating

4.83 / 5 Stars

(The Renault 5 E-Tech achieved an outstanding average rating of 4.83 out of 5 across 92 verified owner submissions)

This isn’t just a competent electric supermini; it is a car that makes owners fall back in love with driving. As one delighted owner summed it up: “It looks fantastic, I was a ‘I’ll never go EV’ till I saw the R5 and fell in love with it.” Another added: “It’s my first EV and it’s a second car for us. I now want to get an EV as our first car.”

Award-Winning Pedigree: Crowned #1 in the UK for EV Style & Design

Globally recognized for its visual appeal, the car recently took the top spot for ‘Style & design’ in the Electric Road UK EV Owners Poll Awards. The Renault 5 topped every other EV on the market for ‘Style & design’, with a higher percentage of owners selecting it as a standout feature.

Understanding the Trim Line-Up & Battery Options

Choosing the right Renault 5 E-Tech means navigating a well-structured range designed to suit different budgets and driving habits. The line-up is built around distinct trim levels and two battery capacities (urban-focused 40kWh and longer-range 52kWh):

evolution (Urban Range – 40kWh)

The entry point to R5 ownership, offering exceptional value for money without stripping away the essential character. It features striking exterior styling, the Google-powered openR Link infotainment system, and nimble urban dynamics.

• Powertrain & Range: 120hp motor paired with a 40kWh battery, delivering a WLTP range of up to 192 miles and supporting 80kW DC rapid charging.

• Infotainment & Displays: Features the 10.1-inch central openR Link touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, alongside a 7-inch digital driver display.

• Comfort & Convenience: Comes standard with automatic climate control utilizing a highly efficient heat pump, rear parking sensors, and a hands-free key card.

• Exterior Styling: Rides on 18-inch wheels and includes full LED headlights with automatic wipers, setting a high visual baseline for the entry model.

techno (Urban Range – 40kWh / Comfort Range – 52kWh)

Expected to be the volume sweet spot for UK buyers. It adds upgraded interior materials, enhanced driver assistance tech, larger alloy wheels, and seamless connectivity features.

• Battery Options: Available with the 40kWh battery or the 52kWh Comfort Range unit, which unlocks a more powerful 150hp motor, 100kW DC charging, and up to 252 miles of WLTP range.

• Google Built-In: Upgrades the 10.1-inch display with native Google Maps, Google Assistant, and EV route planning, while enlarging the digital instrument cluster to 10.3 inches.

• Interior Upholstery: Seats, dashboard, and door panels are trimmed in 100% recycled denim fabric with grey double topstitching.

• Signature Tech: Adds the reinvented illuminated ‘5’ battery charge indicator on the bonnet, adaptive cruise control with stop & go, a reversing camera, and MULTISENSE customisable driving modes.

• Exterior Accents: Features 18-inch black diamond-cut alloy wheels (with a red ‘5’ centre cap) and an optional two-tone Diamond Black roof. (Note: While 18-inch wheels are standard across all UK trims, Techno introduces this bespoke diamond-cut design).

iconic five (Comfort Range – 52kWh)

The flagship specification, bringing premium aesthetic touches, exclusive interior trim details, advanced safety tech, and top-tier equipment levels that make the cabin feel like a car from a class above.

• Winter Comfort: Upgrades the cabin experience with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel crafted from bio-sourced materials, and a frameless auto-dimming rear-view mirror.

• Exclusive Upholstery: Replaces the denim with striking heather yellow and grey 100% recycled fabric featuring a large ‘5’ printed on the seat backs, plus bespoke ‘Renault 5’ illumination beneath the passenger dashboard.

• Premium Audio: Swaps the standard Arkamys audio setup for a high-fidelity 9-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

• Advanced Parking: Introduces a self-steering hands-free parking system and Active Emergency Braking for effortless and safe urban manoeuvring.

What Owners Love: The Key Highlights

1. Retro Styling That Turns Heads

‘Style & design’ is the second overall most cited reason owners love their cars, backed by over 89% of Poll respondents. Drawing heavily on the iconic 1970s original while projecting a thoroughly modern stance, the R5 is an absolute visual triumph.

• “It combines everything you want in an EV. It is stunning to look at, both inside and out, especially in the pop yellow colour with black roof and red roof line… It makes me feel I am in something special every time I drive it and brings the biggest smile to my face.”

• “Everything. It’s our second car but drive it as often as I can. We didn’t lease it because it’s electric, we leased it because it’s a Renault 5. It’s one of the best looking cars on the road IMHO.”

2. Go-Kart Handling & Agility

‘Performance & handling’ delighted 87% of owners, with many drawing direct comparisons to legendary hot hatches and agile city cars.

• “It handles well and handles bumps like a much bigger car, while still feeling perky.”

• “The R5 drives like a bigger car, the acceleration is fantastic, and the cornering is like a go-kart.”

3. Exceptional Running Costs & Efficiency

An overwhelming 91.3% of owners highlighted ‘Running costs’ as a core benefit. For drivers able to charge at home on a dedicated EV energy tariff, weekly outlays plummet.

• “Day to day it’s an ideal little car for my commute, and costs less than £10 a week to ‘fuel’, versus £50+ for diesel in my other car.”

• “The range is adequate for what I need and it’s been very economical so far, as I only ever charge at home.”

   

(Prices correct at time of poll or review submission)

4. Effortless Cabin Tech & Physical Controls

While many rival EVs bury basic cabin functions inside frustrating touchscreen sub-menus, Renault has struck a goldilocks balance between digital intelligence and tactile usability. The Google-powered interface operates with smartphone-like speed and clarity, yet Renault has crucially kept a dedicated row of physical toggle switches beneath the screen for the heating and ventilation. It makes adjusting the cabin on the move completely distraction-free.

• “The Google infotainment system is one of the best. Cleverly, the regularly used features such as heater controls and fan speed still have quick to find/operate buttons unlike many other EVs.”

Areas for Improvement: What Owners Would Change

While satisfaction ratings remain exceptionally high, real-world ownership highlights a few compromises inherent to a compact B-segment EV:

• Rear Space & Practicality: Only 20.7% of respondents listed ‘Space & practicality’ as a top feature. Rear legroom is tight, leading a number of owners to note that while it is a brilliant car for solo commuters or couples, it is less suited for growing families. One owner noted: “I think making it a 5-seater is a bit of a stretch, I’ve removed the centre head restraint and put it in the boot which gives much better rearview vision.”

• Driver Control Stalks: A small cohort of drivers found the column layout cluttered. As one owner remarked: “The wiper stalk is easily confused with the gear selector stalk.”

• Smartphone App Reliability: A few owners noted that the companion smartphone app could benefit from stability updates, though this does not detract from the core driving experience.

The Definitive Verdict: Should You Buy One?

The Renault 5 E-Tech is a landmark electric vehicle. It proves that going electric doesn’t mean sacrificing personality, driving fun, or aesthetic soul.

If you are looking for a stylish, agile, and remarkably cost-effective second car or daily commuter—and you have home charging capability—the Renault 5 E-Tech is currently unmatched in the UK market. As one Poll respondent succinctly advised: “Test drive and you’ll buy!”