MOTORING OCTOBER: Renault Techno E-TECH

George Loveridge Driving Around for Travel News Update




Originally launched in 1972, the first Renault 5 was in production for 12 years, and captured the driving imagination of many. Now in 2025, we have got a new model to play with. Is it just retro rubbish, or a small EV that you should actually consider? 

Arguably, we have saved the best until last. Being the final edition of TNU’s Motoring, we have a highly anticipated electric hatchback. The new Renault 5 went on sale back in January of this year, and has sold in fantastic numbers. Despite the respectable price tag, I imagine the main drive behind strong sales figures has to be down to how the thing performs. You can either opt for a smaller battery version, with 120bhp, or this techno version with a larger range, and more performance to the tune of 147bhp. Look, it is not a rocket ship, but the way it deals with that power is sensational. The new 5 is still a small car, regardless of today’s standards. Therefore, we get a hatchback that zips through traffic in the city centres, in addition to being fun out in the countryside. 

The ride is firm yet extremely compliant, coupled to changeable drive modes, you can feel how the car adapts to your chosen style. Thanks to the Multi-Sense button mounted on the steering wheel, we can choose from Eco, Comfort, Sport and Perso driving modes. All of which can be adjusted further in the Renault R-Link infotainment system. We get the choice of different steering weights, power output and suspension feel. Oh, and not forgetting changeable mood lighting within the cabin. Because I have the mental age of a small child, I opted for the colour red whilst in Sport mode. You may be limited on power, but the 5 allows you to carry all of your momentum through the bends, and yet still returns a comfortable and sensible ride quality. Not forgetting this is not even the sporty one, the Alpine A290 is the hot one. 

A fully electric car, therefore there are no gears. You just quietly accelerate in one effortless glide. Back to the whole ‘fun’ theme, you can of course choose what kind of sound the 5 makes from the outside at slower speeds. The only noise that is not really welcome is the sound of the wind caressing the door mirrors at 70mph on the motorway, it almost sounds as if one of the windows are not fully closed. Look, this is a minor observation, as in reality, you do not own one of these for long motorway cruises. You will find in any EV that your range drops significantly whilst at a constant, therefore using the 5 for shorter trips, or on varying road types, results in maximum economy. 

Inside, the 5 is quirky and pleasant. You will find little to no leg room in the back. My usual test is to see if I could sit behind my own driving position, being 6-foot tall, this usually seems fair. However, the 5 failed this test, but it does not concern me very much. This could justifiably be a 3-door model based upon its petite proportions. We do indeed benefit from 5 doors.







The final door in question reveals 326 litres of boot space, in addition to underfloor storage for your charge cables and puncture repair kit. Moreover, unlike the MG3, we get a 60:40 split of the rear seats to increase the load potential of 1,106 litres. Up front, you will find the aforementioned Renault R-Link infotainment system, angled towards the driver, and with Google AI built in. It sounds like a gimmick, but it is actually very useful for a quick trivia search whilst on the move. ‘Hey Google, who invented the doughnut?’, that sort of thing. Naturally, the same voice commands work for satellite navigation, along with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Worry not, there are manual climate control buttons in the facia of the dashboard, which is a godsend. There is a very thin armrest to divide the driver and the passenger, along with a wireless charging bay. The 5 comes with a steering column stalk to change gears, therefore there is more storage potential in the centre console.  

The George Loveridge Verdict

Naturally, I have to remain impartial. Oh, sod it, I loved the Renault 5. I completed just shy of 400 miles across a week in the car. Overall, it is extremely efficient. For instance, I set off for a 56-mile journey, whereby the car predicted that I would arrive at my destination with 70% charge remaining. Having departed with 100% range, drove on motorways, through town centres and even up Saddleworth Moor, I actually arrived 56 miles later with 82% charge. Also, I love this Pop Green exterior with the black roof, as it is different and really stands out. Speaking of standing out, everyone stops and looks at it, it really has ignited memories in people. Overall, for approximately £300 per month, the Renault 5 is a fantastic, worthwhile, and exciting proposition. 

Price as tested: £25,495
Lead in price: £21,495
Average consumption: 4.5 mi/kWh 
Range (Electric): 220
Battery Size: 52kWh 
0-60: 7.9 seconds

Performance 7
Handling 10
Transmission 10
Noise 8
Economy 8
Ride and Comfort 8
Accommodation 6
Styling 10
Brakes 4
Finish 8
TOTAL= 79%

www.renault.co.uk/electric-vehicles/r5-e-tech-electric.html

THIS IS THE FINAL GEORGE LOVERIDGE ROAD TEST FOR TNU.    
https://driving-around.yolasite.com

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