Drivin' in Czechia
All you need to drive smart in the Czech Republic
Electromobility is a trend that each manufacturer has taken their own approach to. Volkswagen and Kia, for example, offer distinct families of electric vehicles, while the Stellantis group provides electric versions of existing models. Renault, on the other hand, is reviving iconic cars from its past as part of its electric vehicle expansion. One such model is the Renault 5, which returns as a modern reinterpretation of a classic hatchback. I spent a week testing it, driving the stylish Iconic Cinq trim. What was my impression of Renault’s little legend?
Design: The best-looking car on the market. Period.
When it comes to exterior styling, I’m thrilled with the new Renault 5. It’s undoubtedly one of the most striking and attractive city cars out there. In my opinion, it’s the best-looking car on the market.
The new Renault 5 uses retro design cues that clearly reference the original model produced from 1972 to 1996. Some details have been smartly modernized and adapted to the new model’s concept as a battery electric vehicle. For example, instead of a cooling vent on the hood, there’s an unconventional battery charge indicator — a number five split into five segments, which light up based on the current charge level. The taillights feature unique tooth-like accents, and the rear door handles are hidden near the C-pillars, giving the car a profile that evokes the original 3-door body style. Meanwhile, the side mirrors and A-pillars were designed with aerodynamics in mind, helping to improve overall range.
Even the body color palette nods to the original Renault 5, offering a range of bold, vivid shades. In promo photos, the car is most often shown in the bright Pop! yellow metallic, which can light up even the gloomiest day. Just beware — it gets dirty quickly, even with basic city dust. And be prepared to turn heads — especially in yellow, the Renault 5 draws plenty of attention.
In terms of size, the 5 slots below the current Clio. While the Clio exceeds the 4-meter mark at 4.01 meters long, the Renault 5 is a compact city hatchback at just 3.92 meters in length.
Interior: Premium — but only for two
The interior, too, pays homage to the original — in its own way. Later versions of the original Renault 5 also used a layout shaped like a rotated “L”, with the instrument cluster and center console forming the shape. You’ll find a similar layout in the new version, though the rest of the interior is thoroughly modern. The instrument panel is fully digital, and the openR Link infotainment system is powered by Google, including features like maps and calendar integration.
This multimedia system deserves praise — it’s responsive and easy to navigate, making it quick to get used to, especially if you use an Android phone. The only letdown is the low-resolution reverse camera; even small cars nowadays often come with better image quality. Another point of critique: the gear selector lacks a “P” mode for parking. To cut costs, Renault didn’t include a locking pin in the gearbox. Instead, parking relies on the automatic engagement of the electronic handbrake, which takes some getting used to — and could pose problems on icy surfaces.
Aside from that, the interior of the Renault 5 is excellent in terms of build quality and materials. The tested Iconic Cinq trim features a dashboard wrapped in black synthetic leather with yellow stitching, as well as unique upholstery that combines fabric with synthetic leather in a matching yellow hue — another great retro touch.
However, sitting in the back seats clearly shows that the Renault 5 is a compact city car, smaller than today’s Clio. Adults won’t find much room — either for their knees or heads. Even children won’t have a lot of legroom. This is, simply put, a car built for two.
On the other hand, the luggage compartment is pleasantly surprising. With a rated volume of 326 liters, it’s a solid result for a city car. The space comes more from height than depth, and there’s additional storage under the floor for things like charging cables or a tire repair kit. Overall, it’s enough to manage a weekend trip for three, even with a small child — you’ll fit both luggage and a sporty stroller.
Powertrain: In the city, even Eco mode is enough
The Renault 5 is currently offered with two types of electric drivetrain. The entry-level version is called the “urban range,” with 90 kW of power and a 40 kWh battery, offering a range of up to 312 km. Above that is the “comfort range,” producing 110 kW and using a 52 kWh battery, for a range of up to 410 km. If you’re after more power, Renault will soon offer the Alpine A290, a sportier variant built on the same technical platform.
I drove the comfort range version, and I’d recommend it to anyone interested in the Renault 5. Performance and range are both more than adequate. That said, the car’s behavior is strongly affected by the selected driving mode, as response tuning differs significantly across modes. As expected, Eco mode produces rather sluggish reactions, but it’s still perfectly usable in city traffic and won’t hold you back. For highways and country roads, Comfort mode is much more suitable — especially since Eco limits your top speed to 115 km/h. In Comfort, the car responds more directly and delivers above-average acceleration. Even on the highway, the Renault 5 doesn’t run out of breath. Sport mode sharpens the responses further and is best saved for spirited driving.
Energy efficiency is another highlight. In city traffic, I managed to keep consumption below 11 kWh/100 km in Eco mode. In heavier traffic or with the AC on, I still stayed around 12 kWh/100 km. On country roads, consumption remained around 12 kWh/100 km as well. Even on highways, the Renault 5 stayed economical — I averaged 17 to 18 kWh/100 km while staying within speed limits. In practice, this means the Renault 5 can easily manage about 340 km on a single charge.
As for fast charging, getting from 15% to 80% battery takes just 30 minutes using a 100 kW DC charger, which is standard in this class. Using an 11 kW wallbox, charging from 15% to 80% takes 3 hours and 13 minutes.
Handling: An angel with a devil inside
Renault has always known how to tune their cars well, and the new Renault 5 is no exception. It’s the kind of car that’s fun to drive, even for a quick grocery run. Thanks in part to its lightweight build, the car handles a brisk pace with confidence and changes direction quickly in curves. The front-wheel drive layout only limits performance during aggressive starts, when the front wheels might spin.
Still, the 5 excels in everyday usability as well. It was a smart decision to go with a multi-link rear suspension, which allows the car to tackle bigger bumps with ease — you won’t hear any unsettling noises from the rear axle, even with the 18” wheels that are standard across the range. Renault simplified development by optimizing the chassis for just one wheel size — and the result is a setup that works beautifully.
Although the Renault 5 is a true city car in terms of size, that doesn’t apply to its capabilities. Cabin noise insulation is excellent, and even at highway speeds, the ride is surprisingly quiet.
Drivin’ in Czechia’s Verdict
Pros
Perfect handling
Energy-saving powertrain
Luxourious interior
Cons
Limited interior space
Low resolution parking camera
Renault 5 E-Tech comfort range: Technical specs
| Version | Comfort Range |
|---|---|
| Year of production | 2025 |
| Power (kW) | 110 |
| Torque (Nm) | 245 |
| Transmission | 1A |
| Top speed (km/h) | 150 |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h (s) | 8,0 |
| Electricity consumption – combinated WLTP (kWh/100 km) | 14,9 |
| Range – WLTP (km) | 410 |
| CO2 (g/km) | 0 |
| Kerb weight/payload (kg) | 1449/471 |
