The Renault 4 is one of those names that means something. The original was built to be simple, tough, and useful. Not a fashion item, just a car that got on with life.
Renault’s new Renault 4 E-Tech electric keeps that spirit, but wraps it in a modern EV package that feels aimed at people who like the Renault 5 E-Tech’s style, but want something more practical.
It sits on Renault’s small EV platform, it has a slightly taller stance than the 5, and it brings a big headline for family life: a 420-litre boot. That’s a strong number for a car in this size bracket, and it immediately tells you what the Renault 4 is here to do.
So, is it just a Renault 5 with a different coat on, or is it a properly useful little electric car in its own right?
Quick spec highlights
- Battery: 52kWh
- Power: up to 150hp
- Range: up to 249 miles (WLTP)
- DC rapid charging: up to 100kW, 15–80% in around 30 minutes
- Boot: 420 litres (and up to 1,405 litres with seats folded)
Design and road presence
Renault has absolutely leaned into the nostalgia, but without making it feel like a costume.
Up front, the lighting is the star. The Renault 4 has a really distinctive face, with a modern light signature that gives it instant recognition at night, and it feels like Renault is building a proper identity across its new electric range.
From the side, it’s clear this is the “more practical” choice next to the Renault 5. It has a slightly tougher, more upright look and a bit more visual bulk, but it still feels compact enough for UK roads and car parks.
There are also some nice little nods to the original Renault 4’s shape, including the rear quarter window detail that immediately gives it that classic silhouette, but modernised.
At the rear, it stays clean and simple, and it looks like a car designed to be used rather than just admired. Which is exactly what the Renault 4 badge should stand for.
Interior and infotainment
Renault’s recent interiors have been a pleasant surprise, and the Renault 4 continues that run.
You get Renault’s OpenR Link set-up with a 10.1-inch central touchscreen across the range, and depending on trim, you can have Google built-in for proper integrated navigation and apps.
The best bit is usability.
Renault hasn’t buried everything in touch menus, so it still feels like a car you can jump into and just get on with. If you spend a lot of time in traffic or doing school runs, that matters more than people admit.
Sound system wise, it’s strong for a standard set-up. It’s not the best you’ll ever hear, but it’s clearly better than plenty of default systems in this class.
Space and practicality
This is where the Renault 4 makes its strongest case.
That 420-litre boot is not just a headline number. Renault has also focused on the details that make it easier to live with, like an easy-to-load shape and a low loading height.
You also get space under the boot floor for charging cables, which helps keep the main boot area clean and usable.
Fold the rear seats and you can expand the load space to up to 1,405 litres, which is more than enough for bikes, tip runs, flat-pack furniture, or a family weekend away without playing luggage Jenga.
Up front, the cabin has a practical feel too, with plenty of storage and a layout that suits daily driving rather than showing off.
In the back, it’s not huge, but it’s noticeably more forgiving than a smaller supermini-style EV. If you regularly have adults in the rear, or you’re dealing with child seats, this is the version of Renault’s retro EV idea that makes more sense.
Driving impressions
This section is always personal, but on paper the Renault 4 is set up to feel lively rather than lazy.
With up to 150hp, it has enough shove for town driving and quick A-road bursts, and it should feel brisk without being “hot hatch” intense.
The spec also leans into making EV driving easier:
- One Pedal driving is available from certain trims, designed to make stop-start driving smoother and less tiring.
- Driver assistance features and cruise control options vary by trim, but the aim is clearly “easy daily use” rather than gimmicks.
In corners, the Renault 4 should feel tidy and confidence-inspiring for what it is. It’s not trying to be a sports car. It’s trying to feel light, friendly, and predictable. That’s what most people actually want.
Range and charging
The Renault 4’s core UK set-up is a 52kWh battery with a quoted range up to 249 miles (WLTP).
Real-world range will always depend on temperature, speed, wheels, and how heavy your right foot is, but on paper it sits in a sweet spot for a UK family EV. It’s enough for commuting and local life with plenty of buffer, and it can handle longer trips if you’re happy to rapid charge.
Charging is solid for the segment:
- Up to 100kW DC rapid charging
- Renault quotes 15–80% in around 30 minutes on a suitable rapid charger
That’s the kind of charging performance that makes “day trip EV” life feel simple, rather than stressful.
Trims, pricing, and which one to buy
Renault keeps the line-up straightforward with three trims:
- evolution
- techno
- iconic
UK pricing starts from £26,995 OTR for evolution, rising to £28,995 for techno and £30,995 for iconic. On a Personal Contract Hire lease agreement, the deals are pretty strong with monthly payments from around £275 per month (Feb 2026) with Rivervale.
Which one makes most sense?
For most people, techno will likely be the sweet spot. It tends to be the trim where you get the best blend of the “nice-to-have” tech without the full price jump into the top version.
If you want a simpler spec and you just care about the core EV experience, the entry trim will still appeal, especially with that practical shape and boot doing the heavy lifting.
If you want all the comfort extras, stronger driver assistance, and the most premium feel, iconic is the one to go for, but it depends how much you value those upgrades.
Rivals and where it fits
The Renault 4’s best comparison is actually inside Renault’s own showroom.
If you love the idea of a retro Renault EV, the choice is basically:
- Renault 5 E-Tech: style-first, supermini vibe
- Renault 4 E-Tech: more space, more boot, more everyday flexibility
Outside of Renault, you’re looking at small electric crossovers and compact EVs that try to balance city-friendly size with family-friendly practicality. The Renault 4’s advantage is that it doesn’t feel generic. It has personality, and the boot space gives it a clear reason to exist.
Verdict
The new Renault 4 E-Tech electric gets the brief right.
It looks interesting, it feels like part of Renault’s confident new era, and it offers something the Renault 5 can’t: proper practicality, led by that 420-litre boot and a more usable everyday shape.
It also hits a sensible balance on EV fundamentals: up to 249 miles of quoted range, 100kW rapid charging, and a power output that should feel punchy without being over the top.
If you want an electric car that feels modern, has character, and still works for normal life, the Renault 4 is a very easy one to recommend.
Renault 4
Summary
The Renault 4 E-Tech is another retro-inspired electric hatch that doesn’t compromise modern usability.
It handles extremely well and has all the toys you’d want. The rear seats are a little tighter than I expected. The battery size limits heavy motorway use, but as a useable everyday car this is a great option.
If you’re in the market for an EV that stands out, is easy to live with and offers strong tech, this is a very compelling option. I give it 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Renault 4 E-Tech
It’s Renault’s new small electric crossover-inspired hatch that revives the Renault 4 name, with modern EV tech and a focus on everyday practicality.
Renault quotes up to 249 miles (WLTP) for the UK model with the 52kWh battery.
It supports up to 100kW DC rapid charging, with a quoted 15–80% charge in around 30 minutes on a suitable rapid charger.
The boot is 420 litres, expanding to up to 1,405 litres with the rear seats folded.
There are currently three spec/trim levels available: evolution, techno, and iconic.
Prices start from £26,995 OTR, with techno at £28,995 and iconic at £30,995.
Yes. It’s available on either a personal or business lease deal from car leasing brokers like Rivervale.
If you want the most style-led, compact option, the Renault 5 is the one. If you want more boot space and an easier day-to-day shape, the Renault 4 makes more sense.
Depending on trim, you can have OpenR Link with Google built-in for navigation and apps.
