The Renault 5 E-Tech is a comfortable, quiet and characterful small electric hatchback that feels most at home in everyday driving. In T3’s 2024 first drive, Alistair Charlton found it more convincing as a composed town-and-country car than as a sporty hot hatch. Its tight rear seats are the clearest practical drawback.
What the 2024 first drive found
Alistair Charlton drove a 52 kWh Renault 5 E-Tech on a route in the South of France for T3’s review, published 21 October 2024. The roughly four-hour drive was mostly through towns, with rural roads and only short motorway stretches, so it offers a useful impression of everyday comfort rather than a controlled range or performance test.
Charlton’s overall impression was of a refined, easygoing car with enough character to make ordinary journeys enjoyable. He found the ride comfortable, the cabin quiet and the car composed through quicker corners. Even on the autoroute, it felt mature rather than unsettled. That is praise for its balance and comfort, not a claim that it is a performance hatchback.
Comfort before sport
The Renault 5 is most persuasive when driven at a normal pace. Charlton noted a little front-wheel slip when accelerating sharply from a junction and said the car could feel scruffy when pushed beyond its comfort zone. Those are impressions from one launch drive, but they help set expectations: this is a small EV for relaxed daily use, not for chasing sharp handling or hard acceleration.
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Range and charging depend on version and market
Do not treat every quoted range figure as interchangeable. Renault Group’s 26 February 2024 global launch announcement said the Renault 5 would be available with a battery up to 52 kWh and a maximum 400 km WLTP range. It listed 11 kW AC charging and DC charging at 80 or 100 kW, depending on configuration.
For the 52 kWh test configuration, T3 quoted a launch-era UK-facing claimed range of 255 miles. The review also said the later 40 kWh version was expected to offer 194 miles and DC charging up to 80 kW. Those are historical launch-era figures, not a substitute for checking the car’s current specification in your market. Renault UK’s current model page advertises up to 259 miles WLTP; consult its live Renault 5 E-Tech page for current UK claims and confirm the exact trim and battery before buying.
Rank #2
- Illustrated assembly instructions (English language not guaranteed)
What the test car displayed
During Charlton’s drive, the 52 kWh car showed 408 km (253.5 miles) at full charge. After a day of driving, it displayed 236 km (147 miles) remaining at a state of charge above 55%. Charlton extrapolated 457 km (284 miles) from that remaining-range display; the onboard computer showed 4.66 miles per kWh.
These are the test car’s indications and the reviewer’s extrapolation on that particular route—not a controlled range test, an independently measured efficiency result or a guarantee of what another driver will achieve. The route’s mix of mostly town driving, rural roads and brief motorway sections also matters when interpreting the display.
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Cabin technology and day-to-day usability
The first drive highlights a cabin that combines modern infotainment with controls that are easy to operate without diving into menus. Charlton praised the front seats, driving position and visibility, as well as the physical climate controls. The car uses Google-based infotainment, including Google Maps and Google Assistant through Android Automotive, and offers Apple CarPlay.
Not every detail impressed. Charlton criticized the reversing camera’s image quality and found that the Reno assistant sometimes treated conversation between passengers as if someone were speaking to it. These observations describe the reviewed car and software experience; equipment and behavior may differ by version or update.
Rank #4
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Rear-seat space and boot practicality
The main compromise is the back seat. T3 found it tight for taller adults, making the Renault 5 less suitable if rear passengers regularly need generous legroom or headroom. The review reports a 326-litre boot, but also notes its high loading lip, which can make lifting heavier items less convenient.
That combination points to a car better suited to front-seat occupants and everyday errands than to family duties that routinely involve adults in the rear or bulky loads. Check the seating position and boot access with your own passengers and luggage before deciding.
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Price, trims and availability: check current UK details
Renault UK’s 19 November 2024 announcement listed evolution, techno and iconic trim levels, with 120 hp urban-range and 150 hp comfort-range powertrains. It forecast first UK deliveries for spring 2025. That delivery forecast is historical and does not establish present stock or delivery timing.
The current UK price guide includes both 40 kWh and 52 kWh versions, but prices, trim specifications and availability can change. Check the live Renault UK price and specification guide or confirm with a dealer for a current quote. The evidence here does not establish a current offer or delivery date.
How it fits against small electric rivals
T3 named the Mini Cooper Electric and Fiat 500e as alternatives, but its comparison figures date from 2024 and should not be treated as current competitor specifications. A useful shortlist comparison should use up-to-date local versions and focus on the factors most likely to shape daily ownership:
- Price: compare current list prices and any applicable local offers for like-for-like battery and equipment levels.
- Range and charging: compare the specific battery versions’ current WLTP figures and charging capability, rather than relying on a model name alone.
- Ride and handling: decide whether you value the Renault’s relaxed comfort or a rival’s different driving character.
- Space: check rear-seat room and boot capacity with the people and items you actually carry.
Should you buy the Renault 5 E-Tech?
The case for the Renault 5 is strongest if you want a stylish small EV that feels comfortable, quiet and easy to live with around town, while still remaining composed on faster roads. Charlton’s first drive makes a persuasive case for its everyday character, but not for treating it as a hot hatch or assuming its rear seat will suit every household.
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“One of the best EVs of 2024” is the reviewer’s evaluative framing, not a measured ranking. The first drive supports the praise for comfort and character while making the space compromise clear. For a purchase decision, verify the current local battery, range, trim, price and availability, then judge the rear seats and boot in person.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
