RENAULT 5

Reimagined supermini targets affordable electric motoring for the masses in the spirit of its much-loved predecessor

- MARK TISSHAW

TESTED 24.9.24, NORTH JUTLAND, DENMARK DELIVERIES APRIL 2025

It's been almost four years since Renault boss Luca de Meo outlined his 'Renaulution' plan to lift the brand's desirability - and profitability with a range of new models that reimagined some of its much-loved icons from the past.

At the heart of it all was a stunning remake of the Renault 5.The brand hopes this returning supermini can do what the original R5 did by bringing affordable mobility to France, but this time using electric power. A starting price of around £23,000 is expected. In business and style terms, the idea is that the new R5 does for Renault what the 500 did for Fiat and Mini did for BMW.

The concept version of the 5 looked incredible, and thankfully the production car has fully retained that 'want' factor in visual terms despite an expedited development. When something looks that good, you really want it to drive well- and now is a good time to say the reborn 5 truly has been worth the wait.

For something that appears so remarkable, the 5 is actually rather ordinary under the skin. It mixes various parts of other compact Renault Group models to create what is nominally a bespoke electric car architecture, known as Ampr Small.

The front strut suspension is from a Renault Captur, while the rear is a multi-link from a Dacia Duster 4x4. Such rear suspension is uncommon for small cars, yet the need to package the battery in the floor necessitated it. It brings obvious ride and handling benefits along, too.