Renault has successfully reintroduced two of its most revered historical badges for 2025, with the Renault 5 and Renault 4 returning as full electric cars. Each model is drawn from the iconic French brand’s automotive history, but refreshed with new technology, cabin trims and styling with the Renault 5 already piquing customer interest thanks to its fun retro styling, small footprint and city car proportions, while the Renault 4 adopts a crossover-cum-MPV body style to add more practicality. Despite the distant Renault 4 wearing many of the same badges as the more-famous Renault 5, the two cars are very different, and each will suit different lifestyles or cover different needs depending on what a customer is after.

Although both Renault 4 and Renault 5 are aimed at the driver who wants a small, nippy and easy to turn in city electric supermini that is simple to operate in heavy city traffic, the new Renault 4 takes a slightly more spacious and more versatile route with its crossover appearance and extra interior space. There is more comfort, more space and more practicality when it comes to families and longer-distance drivers. But, whilst Renault has made an effort to keep the retro looks of the original Renault 4, the new one also employs the latest electric drive technology, modern equipment and everyday living features.

1. Retro-Inspired Exterior Styling

A fun and feisty character inside and out, the Renault 5 is a small electric supermini with a cheeky character, compact size, and smiling headlights. Drawing clear inspiration from the original model that once graced European roads, its retro exterior will be instantly familiar. The Renault 4, on the other hand, channels the roots of its previously in-demand namesake with a more boxy, upright stance, angular LED lights, and a more crossover-inspired design that pays homage to the car’s loyal following.

Design Details That Bring Back French Heritage:

• Squared-off and upright exterior design
• Sharp LED lighting elements
• Modern curves with retro influences
• Clean horizontal styling details
• Practical workhorse-inspired visual character

One can understand the difference simply by observing the personality that each of the models exhibits. The Renault 5 is targeted at motorists who want a chic, small city car with a heart, whereas the Renault 4 targets those who want a slightly chunkier and more practical silhouette. As a result, the square shape has a useful appearance, in keeping with what was the original model’s claim to fame. However, the company has managed to erase the notion of the newer model as being a thing of yesteryear by keeping the lighting down-to-date and providing the car with more refined sheet metal.

2. High-Riding Crossover Proportions

The Renault 4’s length is considerably bigger than the Renault 5, at 4,143mm, which is 220mm longer than the smaller car. Its taller proportions and added ground clearance are reminiscent of a modern-day compact crossover as opposed to a supermini city car. Its overall height of 1,552mm, also means it’s closer in size to alternatives like the Ford Puma Gen-E and Vauxhall Mokka Electric. These dimensions go some way to giving the Renault 4 the identity of a more practical addition to Renault’s EV offering.

What Its Larger Stance Brings to Everyday Driving:

• 4,143mm overall vehicle length
• 220mm longer than Renault 5
• Elevated crossover-style ride height
• 1,552mm overall vehicle height
• Higher and more commanding driving position

With these new dimensions, the Renault 4 is better suited to a person who requires more than a small electric runabout. The additional length gives the Renault 4 a more solid presence on the road, while the height lends the vehicle the utilitarian essence that has traditionally characterized the Renault 4 nameplate. It also better suits a small crossover, where generous proportions, a high-ride height, and an elevated seating position are desirable criteria. This makes the Renault 4 a better choice for those who regularly operate on lumpy city streets or need to tangle with rural roads.

3. Playful Concepts and the Plein Sud Roof

The Renault 4 has been conferred a uniquely adventurous persona by the design team in a number of creative concepts, with the 2023 4EVER Trophy concept car celebrating the homage of the original rally legend and showing how the humble utility vehicle’s ethos can be brought up to date. Renault followed this up with the 2026 JP4x4 Concept, which visualized the car as a swing-side beach wagon inspired by a free-spirited outdoor lifestyle. In other words, the Renault 4 can be many things.

Creative Features That Give the Renault 4 Character:

• 2023 4EVER Trophy concept inspiration
• 2026 JP4x4 open-sided beach wagon
• Heritage-inspired adventurous design direction
• Announced Plein Sud variant
• Roll-back canvas fabric sunroof

Here’s the background of the Renault 4 concept the ideas help illustrate how Renault plans to develop the personality of the Renault 4 beyond its utilitarian body shape. The 4EVER Trophy makes reference to the model’s historic association with rally-inspired adventures and the JP4x4 takes that theme in a more leisure-oriented direction. Its open-sided beach wagon configuration offers a laid-back interpretation of the crossover concept, illustrating how the recognizable Renault 4 identity can support a range of lifestyle ideas.

4. Cargo Space and the Low Loading Lip

Size and practicality have been fundamental to the essence of the Renault 4, and this electric version is no different with a practical 420 litres of boot space with the rear seats up. This puts the Renault 4 way ahead of the Renault 5 in terms of luggage capacity, with 94 litres more space. This makes the Renault 4 boot a more practical choice for the everyday family lifestyle, with school runs, holidays and sports equipment and loads of space for all sorts of everyday needs that you may be aware of having less space in the Renault 5, the old and the new. The Renault 4 also gets a huge advantage when it comes to loading and unloading with an incredibly low loading lip, that allows heavier and bulkier items to be pushed in with less effort.

Practical Boot Features Worth Noticing:

• 420 litres of rear boot capacity
• 94 litres more than Renault 5
• Low loading lip for easier access
• Large tailgate requires extra clearance
• Hidden underfloor charging cable storage

The Renault 4 is a stronger contender for families who frequently have several bags or larger everyday items to carry. Its extra capacity of 94 litres over the Renault 5 means there’s potentially a lot more space to fit into the boot to accommodate family trips and longer drives. The flat load area and low boot entry also make it easier to lug in heavier items, and overall it means you don’t have to struggle so much when transporting equipment.

5. Interior Rear Passenger Room

Inside, the Renault 4 shares an interior architecture very similar to the Renault 5, but the cabin of the model is larger, which means a significant gain in space for the rear occupants. The compact supermini can be a little confined for the adults in the back, especially in terms of legroom. Thanks to its stretched wheelbase, the Renault 4 has no problem accommodating even six-foot-tall occupants in comfort with no knees touching the seat backs in front. So it’s a great option for a family or for households with regular adult passengers.

More Space Where Rear Passengers Need It:

• Familiar Renault 5 interior architecture
• Stretched wheelbase improves knee room
• Comfortable seating for six-foot passengers
• Slightly narrow rear door openings
• Raised floor limits foot placement

That extra rear cabin space will make a real difference to those who regularly carry passengers in the back, especially kids and younger teens who will have plenty of room to get comfortable, and taller adults who will be glad to see an extra few inches of clearance between front seats and the backrest of the front seats. For practical everyday family use, the Renault 4 is therefore a more suitable prospect than the Renault 5, where accommodated occupants in the back could still feel a little shortchanged. Although it’s not a complete solution, there are a few downsides associated with the electric platform, the overall cabin design, and how the raised floor impacts body position.

6. Open R Infotainment and Reno Avatar Tech

The Renault 4’s interior is now more modern thanks to the latest version of the brand’s OpenR Link infotainment system which is based around a 10-inch portrait touchscreen. The system itself runs Renault’s OpenR Link software which is the interface for the car’s connected tech and smartphone integration. While some cars will hide functions deep within menus and sub-menus of a touchscreen, Renault keeps buttons for climate control making regular adjustments easier while on the move. Standard Android Auto and Apple Car Play is available as well.

Technology That Adds Personality and Convenience:

• 10-inch portrait OpenR Link touchscreen
• Physical buttons for climate controls
• Standard Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• Google integration on Techno+ trims
• ChatGPT-powered Reno digital assistant

On the inside, the Renault 4’s tech setup ensures the cabin feels up to date but keeps a level of simplicity in the controls that driver’s could warm to. The button-operated climate controls are a helpful touch, enabling you to make the basics adjustments without having to navigate the touchscreen. Connectivity with your smartphone is standard via Android Auto and Apple Car Play. Additional Google features are offered on Techno+ models.

7. Motorway Driving Manners and Range

It has a different driving character to the spritely Renault 5, offering a softer and more refined ride on the open road. With crossover styling and a higher ride height, it’s relaxed in feel ideal for longer journeys outside the city. EVGuide quotes an expected real-world motorway range of around 208 miles from a 52kWh battery in the Renault 4, giving it a clear advantage over the Renault 5, which is estimated at being able to cover around 160 miles between charges. This equates to a difference of around 48 miles per charge.

Long-Distance Strengths of the Electric Crossover:

• 52kWh battery capacity
• Approximately 208 miles motorway range
• Around 48 miles beyond Renault 5
• 100 kW DC rapid charging
• 15% to 80% in 30 minutes

The Renault 4’s ability on the motorway is a tangible benefit for those who often do longer distances. Although you are somewhat limited by the real-world range of the electric car when driving extensively at high speeds, the 208 miles of motorway range that the Renault 4 provides should be better than the approximately 160 miles from the Renault 5. That number of extra miles can make all the difference.

8. Purchase Value Relative to the Renault 5

The Renault 4 becomes more interesting when comparing the cost with the Renault 5. Once the £3,750 Electric Car Grant is deducted, the crossover starts from £23,445. That makes the base Renault 4 £500 cheaper than a Renault 5, which costs the same but has a 150hp electric motor and 52kWh battery. The base Renault 5 can still work out cheaper over the starter battery in terms of price as the Renault 5 uses the smaller one, but the Renault 4 brings a more comprehensive package in terms of space and practicality, and is still significantly cheaper than competitors such as the Ford Puma Gen-E and BYD Atto 2.

Where the Renault 4 Makes Financial Sense:

• Starting price of £23,445
• Includes £3,750 Electric Car Grant
• £500 cheaper than equivalent Renault 5
• Around £144 annual off-peak charging
• 94 litres of additional luggage space

The Renault 4 is therefore more than simply the bigger version of the Renault 5. Both cars are available with the same 150hp electric motor and 52kWh battery pack, and while the 4’s sibling costs £500 more to buy after the government grant, it’s basically an even-money proposition for buyers. The entry-level Renault 5 still starts at a cheaper price, but it doesn’t have the same range-and-practicality hybrid.