Renault 4 Review 2025 | Does it match the brilliance of the Renault 5?

What is the Renault 4?

The Renault 4 is a compact, all-electric crossover that’s a direct rival to the likes of the Fiat 600e, Jeep Avenger, Citroen e-C3 Aircross, Vauxhall Frontera and more. At the top end of the range, it strays into the same price territory as the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq, but at 4.16-metres long the Renault 4 is a slightly smaller option.

Having said that, it’s hardly for urban use only. The 52kWh battery brings a WLTP range of 241–247 miles, and rapid charging of 100kW is on a par with most rivals. A 40kWh LFP battery will be available in mainland Europe but is unlikely to come to the UK. The new Renault 4 sits on the same ‘AMPR small’ platform architecture as the slightly dinkier and very brilliant Renault 5, which means that the Renault 4 gets front-wheel drive and an electric motor with 148bhp. There’s no all-wheel-drive variant, although Renault hasn’t ruled it out for the future.

For now, don’t expect the new Renault 4 to be the agricultural tool that was often the native territory of the original Renault 4 and its equally gallic and multi-talented rival, the Citroen 2CV. These were the cars that mobilised the French working classes – and those of many other countries around the world; Renault sold 8 million examples of the 4 over more than forty years, such was its success.

So, it’s no surprise that the Renault 4 still carries great nostalgia and iconic status. It means that the new, all-electric Renault 4 E-Tech (there’s no petrol or hybrid variant) has a lot to live up to. Not just in the objective merits required of a modern electric family car, but also in terms of the charm and charisma that it needs to justify the badge on its boot. Oh, and also to live up to the instant popularity of the new Renault 5. No pressure, then, Renault…

How practical is it?

The Renault 4 gets a 420-litre boot, which includes a 55-litre underfloor space that’s ideal for a charging cable – although you do forfeit that if you go for the optional Harmon Kardon sound system. The Ford Puma definitely beats the Renault 4 for outright boot space, but the Renault’s loadspace is still usefully better than a Volvo EX-30, Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600e, so it’s still one of the best in the class – especially if you’ve got that underfloor space.

Those in the backseats get decent headroom, and there’s enough legroom to easily accommodate an average-sized adult. However, taller adults will have their knees pressed against the front seats and there’s very little foot space beneath the front seats. Nor is there a centre rear armrest, although the two USB-C charging ports will keep the kids happy. It’s fine, but do take your car seats to the dealership and try them in the car before buying, as there might not be as much space in the back seats of the Renault 4 as you’re hoping for.

The interior does look cute, though, with the patterned ceiling material harking back to the original Renault 4. Depending on the trim and spec you go for, colourful stripes on the seats also have a definite whiff of heritage to them and, in all but the top-spec Iconic trim, the upholstery is made from recycled plastic bottles. The denim upholstery that you can have on techno models is particularly cute.

Up front, the seats are comfortable enough, and it’s likely that you’ll get electric lumbar adjustment on top-spec cars – which makes a big difference if you’re going to do long journeys. More than that, the 4’s interior is rather cute and appealing. Details like the 4 logo in the storage compartments, the variety of upholstery finishes that you can have, the retro designs you can add to the gear-shifter… It makes for a nice level of personalisation, and it all feels full of interest, and generally well put together.

In fact, the Renault 4’s interior makes rivals like the Ford Puma Gen-E and Jeep Avenger look quite boring and conventional by comparison.

What’s it like to drive?

The Renault 4 is a really sweet car to drive. The 148bhp power output is enough for 0-62mph in 8.2 seconds, and it immediately feels light and nimble in a rather satisfying way. There are variable drive modes that you can toggle through by pressing the button on the steering wheel, with Sport making things feel more urgent via sharper accelerator response and heavier steering. Personally I prefer it in Comfort where you can enjoy the smooth, easy progress that suits the Renault 4 best.

Ride comfort on the 18-inch alloy wheels of our Iconic test car was good, if a touch firmer than some might expect of a small family crossover like this. It’s well damped and comfortable enough, but you do feel what’s going on with the road surface, and bigger potholes and drain covers will send a heavy thump through the car.

The Renault 4 also gets a new regenerative braking system, which offers three levels of regen’ plus a one-pedal mode, all of which is controlled via the paddles on the steering wheel. It works brilliantly, too. The top two levels are both very mild, and then the heavier settings are obviously much more noticeable, but it’s good to be able to flick through them to find the level that suits the road you’re on – or to use it for ‘engine braking’ effect, as you might an automatic gearbox or in a piston-engined car. Regardless of which mode you’re in, the brake pedal is predictable and easy to modulate.

There is noticeable wind flutter over the windscreen at higher speeds (we’ve not driven one with the scrolling fabric roof so can’t talk about refinement on that), but generally the Renault 4 is calm and quiet enough.

In fact, overall it’s a peachy car to drive, with confident handling and a nice sense of connection to all the driver controls, while still being easy to wind through town and grown up enough to sit comfortably on the motorway.

Technology, equipment & infotainment

The Renault 4 range will almost certainly mirror the Renault 5’s in terms of its trims and equipment. So, expect the evolution, techno and iconic levels, all of which will get the 10.1-inch central touchscreen complete with built-in Google Maps, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s one of the better systems out there. Yes, the graphics are better in the Smart #1, but the Renault system is easier to use, and having Google Maps as the car’s in-built nav is great because it works so well. Plus, you get proper, physical air-con control buttons, and the screen can be easily dimmed or turned off so that it’s not distracting at night.

The base Renault 4 E-Tech evolution will get a 7-inch driver’s display, but we’ve only experienced the bigger 10-inch version that’s standard on every other model. It’s very effective, especially if you stick it in one of the simpler views that reduces the amount of information and focuses on the car’s speed.

As with the Renault 5, you can choose to save your driver assistance preferences – including whether you want lane-keep assist and speed limit warnings on or off - in the ‘My Safety’ settings. Then it’s just a double press of a physical button to activate or deactivate your chosen settings. Just as driver assistance system should be, if you ask me.

Most buyers will probably avoid the base evolution trim as you can’t have it with the 52kWh battery and it lacks adaptive cruise control, although it does get Vehicle-to-Load charging (V2L, allowing you to power a small electrical device from the car’s battery), 18-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, keyless entry, climate control and LED headlights. Mid-spec techno will be a big seller, and is likely to include a reversing camera and the very cool LED-illuminated front grille. Iconic will add heated steering wheel and seats, blind spot warning and upgraded interior finish. Annoyingly, you have to go for iconic to get the heated seats – they’re not even optional on the mid-spec techno.

Renault 4 running costs

Factoring in the Government's Electric Car Grant, pricing for the Renault 4 E-Tech starts from under £24,000, and stretch up to £32,000 for a top-spec version, which is spot on for all the compact electric family hatches, crossovers and SUVs that the 4 must compete with.

Equipment is good, efficiency is decent and list prices are very competitive. Resale values are also good for the modern electric Renaults, so running costs should work out to be very decent even by the high standards of this class. As with an EV, being able to charge at home on a tariff that's optimised for off-peak rates can save you a huge amount of money. Conversely, using the public rapid charger network can be as expensive as filling your car with petrol or diesel.

Renault 4 reliability

It’s too soon to judge the Renault 4 E-Tech’s reliability. Even the Renault 5, which is the first vehicle to use this platform and powertrain, is too new to have garnered any owner feedback. Mind you, Renault as a brand came a very reassuring 9th place overall in the 2024 What Car? Reliability Survey, out of 31 brands surveyed.

You will, however, get a longer warranty from Kia, Hyundai, Peugeot and MG than you do with Renault, which only offers three years and 60,000 miles of cover. At least the battery is covered for eight years and 100,000 miles.