• Choice of two power outputs from the electric motors
• Front-wheel drive performance is similar from both
• Single-speed automatic transmission, as per most EVs

Electric motors

The Renault 5 E-Tech is currently available with two electric motor options: a 120hp or a 150hp option. We’re yet to test the former, although there isn’t much of a divide between the two in terms of performance – on paper at least. The 120hp version takes nine seconds to reach 62mph from zero, the 150hp option takes eight. Both have a top speed of 93 mph, and drive the front wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission.

With such relatively pedestrian numbers, don’t expect hot hatch-like fizziness when you put your foot down, even from the 150hp model. Like many battery-powered electric cars, The 5 E-Tech feels quick off the mark with a responsive accelerator pedal, but it soon begins to run out of legs as you go faster. 

Pulling away from lights is no bother as you’ll beat most conventional petrol or diesel cars on initial getaway, and merging onto motorways isn’t much trouble either. But attempting to overtake at speed may require some prior consideration.

The Renault 5 can do it, but our advice would be to change into Sport mode for the extra boost, and to abandon Eco altogether – this places a cap on power output and means you won’t have quite as much performance at your disposal.

What’s it like to drive?

• Fun but not quite as sharp as some rivals
• Brilliant to drive around town
• Firm brake pedal, busy ride

The Renault 5 is a fun little car to drive. The steering is light in its regular modes but weights up nicely in Sport to give you a bit more of a challenge through the bends. The 5 controls itself well, containing its body roll with a sweet touch, but it’s not quite as agile as the Mini Cooper E. 

The steering didn’t feel as taut nor dialled in to the front end as we would’ve like. The whole car tended to wash-out wide under when turning into corners hard, a little way off in direction relative to the angle of our steering inputs. As a small family electric car, it probably won’t be much of an issue, but if you’re after sharp hot hatch agility, we’d either recommend opting for the Mini Cooper SE or looking into the 5’s hotter variant, the Alpine A290. 

Around town the Renault 5 makes a lot of sense. The light steering makes for easy manoeuvrability, and the short dimensions quell anxiety over the extremities and where they are on the road.

While the brake pedal is almost comically firm and sensitive, and positioned well above the height of the accelerator, we soon adjusted to the footwell layout. What we never got quite so used to was the ride. Be warned that the Renault 5 is a firm-riding car. If we were being generous we’d call the way it drives ‘busy’, but it’s certainly noticeable on even less bumpy British B roads.

It’s not a car for someone looking for a comfortable ride above all other considerations.