Future classic: Renault 5

By Charlie Calderwood

| 11 Sep 2025

Classic & Sports Car – Future classic: Renault 5

“Is that the new Renault 5? Can I take a photo?” It’s just one of three interjections from the public in a half-hour charging stop.

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

Retro relaunches of iconic models aren’t new – VW’s ‘New Beetle’ is now 27 years old.

But Renault has done more than release the new 5 with design cues harking back to its pioneering supermini; it 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 colourful inside, too

Starting at £22,995, 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 has plenty of retro details, like these snazzy graphics

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-coloured, which, if you make the correct choice of ‘yellow pop!’ or ‘green pop!’, makes a refreshing change from the typical modern black or beige.

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

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

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 famous nameplate has returned for Renault’s pioneering EV supermini

It does level off considerably at higher speeds, but the torque response is always fun, and 7.9 secs 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 it lacks some of the Renault’s visual charm both inside and out.

Some niggles must be acknowledged: the infotainment system seems to be lacking in optimisation, 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