Editor’s pick August 2025| Renault 5 E-Tech Electric

Editorial Director Erin Baker writes…

“‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness … and they called it the Renault 5.’
“My subversion of Charles Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities is, in this context, the tale of two city cars – the original Renault 5, and the brand-new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric. Whether we’re living in an age of wisdom or foolishness remains to be seen but electric cars, wise or otherwise, are here to stay. And the new Renault 5 is the stuff of wisdom alright.

“Here is an electric car at its finest, doing what electric cars were built to do. Which is to say, look cool, be fun, drive well, cost little and do the least possible damage to the environment.
“In a smart move Renault is tugging the nostalgic heartstrings with the retro design of this car, especially for those whose parents drove them around in the original when they were toddlers, as mine did. Memories of jam-sandwich picnics in cold parks, Madonna’s True Blue album on the cassette player, bump starts in the winter to get to school, rust patches blooming through the faded red paint and the smell of hot plastic, oil and dust inside through the summer months … all these experiences, long consigned to library of childhood, surfaced overnight, like flowers after the rain when I first saw the new Renault 5, brilliant in bright yellow on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice when it was launched to the press.

“It was like someone found my favourite, forgotten dress from when I was six years old, washed it, added a couple of new buttons and ribbon, wrapped it up and presented it to me. Renault could not have reimagined this car better. It retains just enough of the hunched hatchback shape, vertical tail-lights, chunky wheel arches, snub nose and square headlights to remind everyone what an innovative, joyful and pleasing design the original was, while slapping on some gregarious contemporary touches like the illuminated ‘5’ charge indicator on the bonnet, the black slats through the rear lights and the deep, bold grille. It’s somehow fun and aggressive at the same time, which is a touch of genius when you aspire to appeal to girls-about-town and boy racers alike. And, of course, it has an optional wicker baguette holder. Whether you want it or not is less relevant than Renault’s intent – who knew a bread basket would say so much about the future of a company? Yet here it is, telling us all Renault is no longer afraid to be inventive or playful, and is very much back in the game.

“But the best part? The price. Most desirable cars are priced out of reach, especially when it comes to electric cars. But the Renault 5 feels temptingly accessible, even against more boring alternatives. The conundrum this new car presents, is whether to get one on a monthly deal or look at originals for sale in good condition to totally relive my childhood. I thought I’d just go straight for the electric version, but I’ve now fallen down a rabbit hole of used ads. And don’t get me started on the idea of an all-white GT Turbo…”
Search for a Renault 5 E-Tech Electric on Autotrader Search for an original Renault 5 on Autotrader