Test Drive Renault 5: Finally a Real Renault Again!
Actually, such a car shouldn't exist anymore: An electric compact car starting at 24,900 euros and manufactured in France! Renault has achieved just that with the new electric 5, which also scores with an incredible attention to detail! And THAT is what sets it apart!
It turns heads!
On the streets, it turns many heads, coming in bright yellow, green, or blue (well, also in black or white), with various roof rails and roof versions, easily varied with stickers, so you have 200 combination possibilities!
Similar inside: Besides the baguette holder, there are various inserts for the storage areas, and the "5" has been nicely designed all the way to the charging pad. In the top version "Iconic 5" with bright yellow seat covers and a seat shape reminiscent of the crazy seats of the chunky R5 Turbo or Fuego from 1980: With thick bolsters and (very) slim center sections. Lightness is key, no heaviness, which also applies to the weight, where you are just over or even under 1.5 tons depending on the version.
This is noticeable when driving and in consumption: The electric "5" drives sharply, thanks in part to the multilink rear axle and a steering with a 13.7:1 ratio that takes only 2.6 turns from lock to lock. Nevertheless, the "5" does not ride with the hardness of a Mini, but skillfully absorbs any bumps, without ever feeling spongy - very well done! So much so that despite an enjoyable, slightly air-conditioned serpentine ride, we arrive in Nice with 14.2 kWh/100 km, which gross with charging losses should be just under 16 kWh/100 km. This means the 52-kWh battery does not quite reach the promised 410 kilometers, but almost 400, and that is right-sizing in the best sense. Don't need that much? For 3,000 euros less, there is a 40-kWh battery, which is supposed to offer up to 312 km range according to WLTP.
The 24,900-euro base teaches austerity
Which brings us briefly to the prices: Well, for 24,900 euros you get the 40 kWh battery, rather little equipment and unfortunately not even a DC charging option! 11 kW or less is the maximum here. The performance? 70 kW has to be enough.
Those who want to charge with 80 kW DC must spend at least 27,900 euros, which gets them 90 kW and the "Evolution" trim (which actually suffices). The "Techno" costs from 29,900 euros, the "Iconic Five" from 31,400 euros. With a 52-kWh battery, there are 110 kW and 3,000 euros on top... so you can easily spend 34,900 euros plus x. We would spontaneously opt for the not yet available Evolution with a large battery, which won't be in the program until spring 2025.
Three steering column levers on the right
And otherwise? THREE steering column levers on the right ("gear selection", windshield wipers, and radio control satellite as once in the Super-Cinq - Renault has stuck to this for decades, even in trucks!), one on the left, a user-friendly Google infotainment system and, also Google-based, a very fast calculating, clearly displaying and announcing navigation system including an extra EV route planner. At the DC charger (with 80 or 100 kW), the jump from 10 to 80% is supposed to take around 35 minutes...
The trunk is fine with 326 to 1,102 liters, there will be no roof box, but a rear box for the trailer hitch, to which you can also attach 500 kilos braked, which is enough for light garden waste. Unfortunately, there is no frunk, just as we regret that there is no one-pedal drive.
Instead, there is Chat GPT, V2G up to 3.7 kW (as long as the battery still has 20%), and Plug and Charge, which however requires the Mobilize card.
The interior is at least comfortably furnished in the first row, in the back you have to make concessions in terms of material quality and space, but hey, the “5” is thankfully only 3.92 meters long, 2.02 meters wide with mirrors, and 1.50 meters high – this helps enormously in the city and when looking for parking! And it supports its delightful lightness of being! Because, this is important: Despite all the love for detail, which you can partly only find in France, it doesn’t show any weaknesses anywhere! And that distinguishes it!
And if it can turn heads with its successful design, all the better – not every car has to come along as mousey as its siblings Megane and Scenic!
What does that mean?
Even if Renault quotes itself: The French do it really well and with the “5” they finally hit a new peak again! This car will find its way – and urgently needed numbers – even without a baguette holder, crunchy to bite into!
Translated automatically from German.
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