The Renault 5 E-Tech made its first impression at a rain-soaked EV charging hub just off the A1(M) in Stevenage, yet still managed to charm immediately.
The occasion was a UK Car of the Year driving day, where some of Britain’s top motoring journalists gathered to test eight class-winning contenders for the 2026 title.
Vehicles ranged from the Citroen C3 Aircross in the small crossover category to the Audi A6 Avant representing estate cars, making for a formidable field.
The Renault 5’s sportier sibling, the Alpine A290 hot hatchback, was also among the finalists, competing in the performance car category.
The Renault 5 ultimately took the overall UKCOTY 2026 title, winning praise for its chic styling, lively performance, nimble handling, build quality and value for money.
The plan is now to spend three months driving the Renault 5 daily, covering everything from school runs to weekends away, before switching to the Alpine A290.
The timing proved fortuitous, as a newly installed home wallbox charger replaced the stress of relying entirely on the public charging network for every journey.
A family Mk5 Volkswagen Golf GTI was recently side-swiped by a truck and forced off the road, leaving the Renault 5 as the sole family vehicle for four people.
The range opens with the Evolution at £21,495, using a 40kWh battery delivering 120hp, a 0-62mph time of 9.0 seconds and 192 miles of range.
Stepping up to Techno+ at £23,495 brings a 52kWh battery, 150hp, a 7.9-second 0-62mph time and 252 miles of range, along with Google Maps navigation and a reversing camera.
The fully loaded Iconic Five+ costs £25,945 and adds diamond-cut alloy wheels, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, blind-spot monitoring and hands-free automatic parking.
On the subject of government incentives, the 40kWh Evolution qualifies for only a £1,500 Electric Car Grant, while the 52kWh models are eligible for the full £3,750 discount.
The 52kWh battery is locally sourced from Renault’s factory in Douai, France, which explains the more generous grant eligibility for the longer-range variants.
The test car is finished in Midnight Blue with a Diamond Black roof framed by Warm Titanium pinstripes, concealing a remarkably vibrant yellow recycled-textile interior.
Interior details include light-up Renault 5 script, retro graphics on the driver’s digital display and sculpted seats with knowing nods to the classic original model.
Easter egg details scattered throughout the car include Tricolore flags in the headlights and French cockerels tucked into the windscreen corner and boot closure.
A fabric tag hidden inside the driver’s seat-back pocket depicts four generations of the R5, from the 1972 original through to the current E-Tech model.
After a strong opening showing at UKCOTY and several weeks of family use, the honeymoon period with the Renault 5 E-Tech shows no signs of ending just yet.