Future classic: Renault 5

By Charlie Calderwood

| 30 Nov 2025

Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Renault 5

“Is that the new Renault 5? Can I take a photograph?”

It’s just one of three interjections from members of the public in a mere half-hour charging stop during our time with this most eye-catching newcomer.

If you want proof that good design matters, then this is surely it.

Retro relaunches of iconic automotive models are nothing new – Volkswagen’s ‘New Beetle’ is now 27 years old, after all.

But Renault has done more than release the new 5 with design cues harking back to its pioneering classic supermini.

Renault has created a car we’ll almost certainly recall in 20 years as Europe’s first credible, affordable, desirable EV.

The new Renault 5 is colorful inside, too

Starting at £22,995 (in the UK), it’s markedly cheaper than its Renault Zoe predecessor and only slightly more than a Clio, although we drove the extended-range model that costs from £28,995.

The only retro French car before the 5 was the 2017 Alpine A110.

In many ways the idea is anathema to high-minded Gallic design, but perhaps that is why the model so successfully walks the line between ancient and modern.

The Renault 5 is at its best inside.

The seats are some of the coolest you will find in any new car, irrespective of price.

They show inspiration from the original 5 Turbo and are partially body-colored, which, if you make the correct choice of ‘yellow pop!’ or ‘green pop!’, makes a refreshing change from the typical modern black or beige.

The Renault 5 has plenty of retro details, like these snazzy graphics

There’s colorful stitching on the dash, too, while the quilt-effect headlining makes an ordinarily boring item interesting.

Thrilling design and keen pricing would be enough to make the Renault 5 remarkable, but it also helps that it’s a much better steer than anything else in its class.

Though not roly-poly soft like the original, the ride is extremely comfortable, albeit with a slight pitch back and forth on certain surfaces due to the short wheelbase.

The steering is tight, quick and, though not overflowing with feel, confidence-inspiring.

Once knocked out of ‘Eco’ mode, acceleration is more than brisk enough, too.

The new Renault 5’s seats were influenced by the ones in the original 5 Turbo

It does level off considerably at higher speeds, but the torque response is always fun, and 7.9 secs from a standstill to 60mph is more than enough for an entry-level supermini (even if some pricier rivals are quicker).

Alpine’s new A290 offers a hot version of the car for those looking for something sportier, but this model lacks some of the Renault 5’s visual charm – both inside and out.

Some niggles must be acknowledged.

The infotainment system seems to be lacking in optimization, while a lack of ‘creep’ in Drive and a big dead zone on the throttle pedal might make it a bit of a menace for inner-city parking.

Like the original Renault 5, the new one will surely be remembered as a game-changer

History won’t remember those things, but, like the original 5, this will be recorded as one of La Régie’s paradigm-shifting designs.

Those ready to make the switch to electric but struggling to find the passion might just have to reconsider: Renault has built one of the first truly cool EVs.

Images: John Bradshaw