Renault's all new electric version of the classic did not disappoint
I don't remember being this excited to get behind the wheel of any car in recent years, but with that giddiness comes the inevitable worry about realising expectations.
Too many times in recent memory I've been left deflated about anticipated tests, so I was well aware that my initial enthusiasm and interest in driving the Renault 5 may not be matched by the real-time test.
Oh, how wrong I was.
I actually found myself finding creative reasons to drive more while this car was sitting in my driveway for the week. From the moment I was greeted by this work of art in all its 'Pop' yellow painted finery, to the sad day a week later when I had to hand the key back, I loved every second.
Not even the unusual Renaut key (I've never been a fan) could put me off my drive time in this fun, fast, sexy, unique, safe and truly exhilarating electric car.
Inside the Renault 5
So, what is it all about? Well, like a lot of car company's legacy marques, Renault decided to bring back the 5 in an EV form. Mini and Fiat 500 have done it previously as well as the controversially-named Ford Capri. But none of them hold a torch to this. Genuinely.
The iconic hatchback that took the small car market by storm in the '70s has been given a wild and modern makeover that oozes style and comes in with a very affordable asking price that will appeal to the motor-loving Irish car buying market.
That market is getting pretty claustrophobic right now. Small EVs are so hot right now so it is hard to make your mark. But while this isn't as cheap as the Inster on the opposite page it certainly trumps it on legacy, size, range and looks.
So, let's get the money question out of the way early this week. The headlines at time of launch were impressive and far reaching. The €25,995 entry 'Evolution' level is certainly eye catching, but to be in the realistic market for one of these dotes, you should expect to opt for the €27,995 'Techno' trim with the 40kWh battery or even the 'Iconic Five' with the same batter for a fiver under €30k.
My test car was the upper end 'Iconic Five' that came with a 52kWh battery and starts from €32,995. So that puts a few more of your hard-earned Euro on the line compared to those headlines earlier in the year. I am here to make sure you know that. And I am also here to tell you I still think it is worth it. Read more
My car came in 'Pop' yellow which also meant it came with these stunning upholstery (denim-like) seats that are made using recycled plastic bottles.
As well as being stylish and comfortable they ooze fun, like so many aspects of this car. So many little details and '5' branding touches are completely unique to this car. It's like the French designers were allowed to unleash all that French flare on one model.
Like the charge light on the bonnet that is shaped like a 5 and indicates how much battery is available while charging.
The headlights almost wink at you when you turn the car on and the design of the front and back light set up is already iconic and the car is only out a few months.
Designed as an urban and suburban runaround car this is at its happiest on school runs and in city centre commuting thanks to the light and accurate steering coupled with the torque and ultimate fun you get when you press down on the right pedal. You can get a bit more weight in the steering by flicking it into 'Sport' mode which also gives plenty of grip.
The brakes are great too and are an improvement on the other Renault cars on the fleet. Which is a good thing because this car constantly teases you to drive quickly.
It is perfectly capable of motorway driving and has plenty of speed to match the styling, but you should know that the boasted range of 410km won't be reached when flooring it form one end of the M50 to the other.
But there isn't a single EV on the market today that can get to the WLTP range in real-day testing, so this isn't a slight on Renault.
There are two rectangular digital displays across the driver's half of the dash which adds the modern tweak in a retro-styled interior.
The driver display behind the wheel is 7' (entry level) and stretches out to 10.3' in higher trims.
The infotainment screen is 10.1' in all trims, and includes navigation, music, Apple Carplay, charging info and controls and the 'Techno' and 'Iconic Five' trims add a surprisingly useful voice-control assistant.
This R5 is bigger than its '70s namesake but it is still compact by modern small car standards and is actually shorter than the likes of the e-208.
I had no issue at all with leg room in the front, but row two space is at a premium. At least there are doors on this compact EV unlike a few of its competitors.
There is a small extra storage space under the boot floor for the charging cable, which is handy as it has no frunk.
The entry level is far from devoid of features too, the best of which is an EV heat pump for more efficient warming of the interior in cooler weather, adding to the EV range.
Overall, this is an absolute cracker of a car, and I would be proud to have it sitting in my driveway, especially in the yellow.
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