Renault 5 E-Tech base version: what you get in the 'bare' 40 kWh trim
I filmed the most affordable Renault 5 E-Tech in a showroom: a simple but clever interior, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a flat floor and a 40 kWh battery with up to 315 km WLTP.
Next to a fully loaded Renault 5 E-Tech, the showroom also had the version I was looking for: the most affordable one, which I fondly called the "bald" trim. I wanted to see exactly what you get when you pick the entry version of the retro electric car that brought an iconic name back to life. The price I was quoted for it is around 25,000 euros. The good news is that, even as the simplest version, it doesn't feel cheap where it matters.
Exterior: same design, a few simpler details
The car in the video was a very bright green, with wheel covers and all-season tyres. From the back it looks almost identical to the expensive version; the difference I noticed is the missing Renault lettering. The design remains its main strength: this is a car that will stay fashionable for years, without Renault having to invent a new model.
Interior: simple but practical
Plastic dominates, as you would expect in an affordable car, but it is well put together. The centre console stops low and the floor is almost flat, so you can easily slide from the driver's seat to the passenger side. That is handy if someone blocks you in at a charging station. You get the same gear selector as on pricier versions, single-zone automatic climate control, a handbrake, a storage area with two USB-C ports and a 12 V socket.
There is no built-in navigation, but Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are there, so you use the maps on your phone. The menu is simple: radio, phone, settings and an eco score screen. I also found a quick button to switch off the speed limit warning chime, ISOFIX on the front passenger seat too, and headrests with a small French flag stitched on. The seat adjusts fore and aft only, not for height.
Rear seats and boot
With the driver's seat set for me, at 1.80 m, I still had enough legroom in the back. Rear windows are electric too and the headliner looks great. The boot is deep and has an underfloor compartment. Looking under the car, the floor is completely flat: the Renault 5 sits on a platform designed from the start for electric cars.
Battery and charging
On the dashboard, at 47% battery, the car showed 148 km remaining. According to "Renault Romania", the 40 kWh (urban range) version has a 120 hp motor and up to 315 km WLTP range after the 2026 range update (312 km previously). The "Renault Italy" spec sheet lists 225 Nm of torque, up to 11 kW AC and up to 80 kW DC charging, and Renault quotes 15–80% in about 30 minutes on a fast charger. The CCS port sits on the front wing.
The range is also expanding downwards: "Renault Group" has announced a new Five entry version with a 110 hp motor and a 36.5 kWh LFP battery, good for up to 305 km WLTP.
What it means for drivers
If you want a city EV with personality, the base Renault 5 gives you the essentials: an iconic design, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a flat floor and enough battery for the daily commute. I compared it with a Clio, which by my estimate starts at around 18,000 euros: the onboard tech is similar, but the Renault 5 is electric and has a design that won't go out of style. It is worth seeing and test driving before you decide.
