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Expert Rating

Renault 5 E-Tech

(2024 – present)

Expert Rating

New car score:

81
%
A

This model is still new so we don't have a Used Car Expert Rating score yet. Check back soon.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

84
%
A

Safety Rating:

80
%
B

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

76
%
B

How are our Expert Rating scores calculated?

Expert Rating

New car score:

81
%
A

This model is still new so we don't have a Used Car Expert Rating score yet. Check back soon.

Expert Rating report card

Media Rating:

84
%
A

Safety Rating:

80
%
B

Eco Rating:

100
%
A

Reliability Rating:

-

Running Costs:

76
%
B

The Renault 5 E-Tech is The Car Expert’s Best Small Car 2025!

Summary


The Renault 5 (officially the Renault 5 E-Tech) is a small, five-door hatchback electric vehicle. It was launched in summer 2024 in Europe, with first cars set to reach UK dealers in early 2025.

Technically, the new Renault 5 replaces the Renault Zoe, which was discontinued last year. However, the 5 is a far more sophisticated model, despite its 1980s retro-style styling that harkes back to the classic Renault 5 of old. The new 5 is safer than the Zoe as well

The hype for the reborn Renault 5 has been enormous over the last couple of years, ever since Renault first showed a concept version of the car back in 2021. Fortunately, the production car has lived up to expectations, with reviewers praising it highly since being given access to the car earlier this year.

Like the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper, the Renault 5 plays heavily on its retro-inspired styling. But motoring journalists have rated the driving experience highly, as well as its value for money. Charlie Harvey from Carbuyer says, “The long-anticipated Renault 5 serves up retro charm in spades and is great to drive,” while Will Dron from the Sunday Times describes it as “very welcome and superbly executed”. However, Holger Preiss from Auto Express points out that the “interior space, range and charging times” are not as good as some similarly priced EVs.

As of December 2024, the Renault 5 E-Tech holds a New Car Expert Rating of A, with a score of 81%. It gets top marks for its impressive media reviews and zero tailpipe emissions. However, we don’t yet have independently verified running and ownership costs, and we won’t have reliability data for some years yet.

Key specifications


Body style: Small five-door hatchback
Engines:
Single electric motor
Price:
from £22,995

Launched: Autumn 2024
Last updated: N/A
Replacement due: TBA


Media reviews


Highlighted reviews and road tests from across the UK automotive media. Click any of the boxes to view.

Auto Express

+

Auto Trader

+

Business Car

+

Car

+

Carbuyer

+

Electrifying.com

+

Evo

+

The Sunday Times

+

The Telegraph

+

Top Gear

+

Safety rating


Independent crash test and safety ratings from Euro NCAP

Overall score: 4 stars
Date tested: December 2024
Read the full Euro NCAP review

Adult protection: 80%
Child protection: 80%
Vulnerable road users: 76%
Safety assist: 68%

The Renault 5 was assessed by Euro NCAP in December 2024 and scored a four-star safety rating. While it meets the 80% threshold for five stars in adult impact protection and child impact protection, and the 70% threshold for five stars for vulnerable road user protection (pedestrians and cyclists), it fell short of the 70% threshold for accident-avoidance technology.

However, it should be noted that Euro NCAP testing gets tougher almost every year, so a four-star score in 2024 can possibly be a better result than a five-star score from five years ago, depending on results from each test.

Eco rating


Independent economy and emissions ratings from Green NCAP

No eco rating

As of December 2024, the Renault 5 has not been assessed by Green NCAP.

The Green NCAP programme measures exhaust pollution (which is zero for an electric car) and energy efficiency. Electric cars are much more energy-efficient than combustion cars, so the Renault 5 is likely to score very highly in Green NCAP testing whenever it ever takes place. Check back again soon.

Running cost rating

Clear Vehicle Data logo close crop

Monthly cost of ownership data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by Clear Vehicle Data

No data yet

As of December 2024, we don’t have independently verified data available for the Renault 5. Check back again soon.

Reliability rating

MotorEasy logo 600x167

Reliability data provided exclusively for The Car Expert by MotorEasy

No reliability rating

As of December 2024, we don’t have enough reliability data on the Renault 5 to generate a reliability rating.

The Car Expert’s reliability information is provided exclusively to us using workshop and extended warranty data from our partner, MotorEasy, sourced from both official dealerships and independent workshops. 

As soon as MotorEasy has sufficient data on the Renault 5, we’ll publish the results here.

Recalls


Official DVSA safety recalls that have been issued for the Renault 5 E-Tech

As of December 2024, we are not aware of any DVSA vehicle safety recalls affecting the Renault 5. However, this information is updated very regularly so this may have changed.

You can check to see if your car has any outstanding recalls by visiting the DVLA website or contacting your local Renault dealer.

Awards


Trophies, prizes and awards that the Renault 5 has received

Renault 5 E-Tech – Best Small Car 2025, The Car Expert awards

2024

  • The Car Expert Awards – Best Small Car
  • Best Cars of the Year Awards – Car of the Year + Best Electric Car
  • Business Car Awards – One to Watch
  • Car Design News Awards – Best Production Car Design
  • Electrifying.com Awards – Best Value for Money EV
  • London EV Show Awards – Car of the Year
  • News UK Motor Awards – Best Electric Car
  • Top Gear Awards – Car of the Year

Similar cars


If you’re looking at the Renault 5, you might also be interested in these alternatives.

BYD Dolphin | Citroën ë-C3 | Fiat 500e | GWM Ora 03Mini Cooper Electric | Peugeot e-208 | Vauxhall Corsa Electric

The market for small electric cars was slow to get moving, but has been accelerating in the last couple of years. The Renault 5 is not the only retro-themed small EV available, with the Fiat 500e and Mini Cooper Electric also trading heavily on nostalgia for previous models.


More news, reviews and information about the Renault 5 E-Tech at The Car Expert

Best Small Car 2025

Best Small Car 2025

Electric Renault 5 E-Tech to arrive early next year

Electric Renault 5 E-Tech to arrive early next year

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Electric cars – what’s on sale and what’s coming in 2024?

Nissan Micra to be replaced by EV

Nissan Micra to be replaced by EV

Buy a Renault 5 E-Tech


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Like the Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper, the Renault 5 plays heavily on its retro-inspired styling. But motoring journalists have rated the driving experience highly, as well as its value for money.Renault 5 E-Tech