Renault 4 E-Tech Electric Test Drive: It Wasn't the Retro Look That Won Me Over
A short but detailed city test drive in the Renault 4 E-Tech electric: space compared with the Renault 5, Snow and All-terrain modes, regen paddles and One Pedal, the Google-based charging planner, vehicle-to-load and self-parking, tried twice.
For years the original Renault 4 was one of the brand's best-selling cars, and now it's back as a compact electric SUV. I wanted to find out whether the new Renault 4 E-Tech electric is just a nostalgia trip or a car you can actually live with every day. So I took it for a short drive around town, dug through the menus, tried the navigation with built-in charging stops and the regen paddles, and finished with the self-parking system. All the figures below are the ones I read off the dashboard in my video on the Mașina Timpului channel.
First impression: taller and roomier than you'd expect
The car I drove had two extra drive modes for rough roads and came on Goodyear Vector 4Seasons all-season tires with the M+S marking. Parked next to an old Opel Vectra, which used to count as a big car, the Renault 4 looks tall and sturdy. It has roof rails, and in the back I found ISOFIX anchors that are really easy to reach.
According to the "Renault Group Media" press kit, the car is 4.14 m (163 in) long with a 2,624 mm wheelbase, and the official "Renault Ireland" brochure lists 18.1 cm (7.1 in) of ground clearance. The trunk holds 420 liters with a low load lip and grows to 1,405 liters with the rear bench folded. It felt genuinely big to me, and from the driver's seat the cabin feels much airier than a Renault 5.
Motors, batteries and charging
The launch lineup described in Renault's official material has two versions:
- 40 kWh, 120 hp and 225 Nm, DC fast charging up to 80 kW;
- 52 kWh, 150 hp and 245 Nm, DC fast charging up to 100 kW, 15–80% in about 30 minutes, and up to 409 km (254 miles) of WLTP range.
Every version gets 11 kW AC charging. In the video I mention the 100 kW peak, the same as the Renault 5. In October 2026, "Renault Group Media" announced an updated range with up to 310 km (193 miles) for the 40 kWh battery and 415 km (258 miles) for the 52 kWh pack. Keep in mind that WLTP figures run higher than US EPA ratings.
Behind the wheel: comfortable and quiet
The dashboard is basically the Renault 5's. There are physical buttons for the climate control, which I really appreciate, and a fabric that looks like denim. Some plastics are hard, but they have a nice texture and don't feel cheap. At the rear the car has independent multi-link suspension, confirmed by Renault, and you can feel it: it stayed very comfortable over the tram tracks, and the cabin was very quiet.
The drive modes are Eco, Comfort, Sport and, on this version, Snow and All-terrain. They're part of the Extended Grip system, which, according to Renault, adjusts motor torque to the available grip: less torque on snow up to 50 km/h (31 mph), and more on rough ground up to 80 km/h (50 mph). At one point in town I felt the car lose a little grip, which surprised me on all-season tires.
I drove in Eco. The dashboard showed 18.7 kWh/100 km (about 3.3 miles per kWh), and with 36% battery left the computer estimated 98 km (61 miles). The range menu also had separate estimates: up to 148 km (92 miles) at best, or 79 km (49 miles) on the highway with the remaining charge. These come from a short drive in traffic, not a proper efficiency test. For a real-world range test on a long trip with family and luggage, I hope to get the car for a weekend.
Regen paddles, One Pedal and blended brakes
The paddles on the steering wheel adjust how strongly the car recovers energy when you lift off. On the lowest setting it almost coasts. At the top you get One Pedal, which brings the car to a complete stop without touching the brake, and the regen is fairly strong. The brochure mentions four levels. On long trips I personally prefer very light regen, because that's how I get the best efficiency. When you press the brake pedal, the car recovers energy first and only then uses the friction brakes.
I really liked the Perso button on the left. Press it twice and it switches off the driver-assistance features you've chosen not to use, including the chime that warns you you're over the speed limit on that stretch of road.
Google built in, with charging stops planned for you
The OpenR Link infotainment system has Google built in. I said "Ok Google, drive to Bucharest" and the car worked out the route, charging stops included. With 36% battery it suggested a 13-minute stop around Vaslui and another 13-minute stop around Focșani. For a trip to Câmpina, the first plan included a 15-minute stop. The screen also shows nearby charging stations, including one I didn't even know existed. In practice, the car plans the trip for you.
In the vehicle menu I also found vehicle-to-load (V2L). You can use the battery to power devices, with an adjustable lower limit, 20% in my case. Renault says up to 3.7 kW is available through a separate adapter. The same menu lets you set the charge limit, for example 80%, which is the healthy choice for everyday use.
Self-parking, tried twice
At the end I tried the self-parking system, which Renault calls hands-free parking. The first attempt didn't go well. I probably positioned the car wrong, so I stopped and corrected it myself. The second time the car spotted the space, I selected reverse and it parked itself, straightening the wheels at the end. All I had to do was watch the mirrors and cameras. As with any system like this, the driver stays responsible and has to keep paying attention.
Price, and what I noticed in Munich
In the video I mention a starting price of about €22,000, which is what I understood at the time of filming in September 2025, without knowing exactly which battery it applied to. The car I drove, with the extra modes, probably costs more. For the updated range, "Economedia" reports Romanian prices from €29,550 including VAT, so check the current offer before you decide. The Renault 4 E-Tech isn't sold in the US.
I'd just come back from the Munich auto show and noticed something there: at red lights, almost every gas or diesel car had its engine off thanks to start-stop. Back home, a lot of people switch it off right away. Electric cars alone won't save the planet, but the people on the sidewalk breathe cleaner air when a Renault 4 or Renault 5 electric drives past instead of a combustion car. That's why I'm glad Renault is bringing affordable EVs to market.
What it means for drivers
The Renault 4 E-Tech electric seems built for the family that wants one car for the city, the weekend and country roads. It has a big trunk, decent ground clearance, a comfortable ride and traction modes for winter. Navigation that plans your charging stops and V2L power make it easier for people switching from gas or diesel. I liked it more than the Renault 5, precisely because it's bigger and more practical while keeping that icon feel. The next step is a real long-distance efficiency test. Until then, it's worth booking a test drive and making up your own mind.
