Ive said for ages that the BMW i3 was so far ahead of its time.... and then we have lost the plot with what an electric car should do for society. Sadly BMW have also lost the plot and dropped the brilliant i3 and we have monsters like the iX and i7. Crazy. This little R5 looks like the spiritual successor to the i3 and what we need more of. Smart, cheap, small, LIGHT EVs for work commutes and city centres.
I concur. I keep wondering, why BMW won't revive the model. Would save a lot of development cost: Put a facelift on the old one and set it up with up to date tech.
"we have monsters like the iX and i7" What a perfect description, I wonder if BMW is aware of what the current base feels. Then again, what do new buyers feel? Maybe we're being phased out.
i3s driver here and this it the first car that's made me think "we could swap it for that ..". Can't wait to see the alpine. Also I love the way it looks, esp in s guise but I appreciate I might be odd
Wow: Harry tests my wife's car! Same color, same black roof, same interior, just different wheels. Some comments from a one-month owner.... To get more regen, you may use the 'B' mode, obtained by a second action down on the lever. In this mode, you have proper engine braking and drive with one foot only. However, you still have to press the brake to come to a full stop. Harry could have mentioned the different driving modes where the power of the engine, the lightness of the steering and car dynamics may be adjusted. Three modes are proposed: Eco, Confort and Sport. A custom setting allow to select what you want. It really allows to change the behavior: Eco is perfect in the city (very smooth) while the other modes are better out of the city. Important point: 80% of the elements of the car are produced at less than a few hundred kilometer from the assembly factory. If I remember well, in a few months, even the battery will be made in France. Overall, it is a very pleasant car to drive. I'm quite pleased that a french manufacturer is still able to put on the market a so well designed car.
@marwood1969 let's hope it signals a shift to small light fun EVs. I think it will sell very well and other manufacturers will follow. No more massive inefficient, expensive SUVs 🤞
@@soundslave I didn't say a 'good EV', I said one that interested me. It's subjective and electric vehicles leave me cold as they do many others who, presumably, are also not car enthusiasts based on your sweeping force 10 generalisation.
It's because of the distraction of fumbling with the physical phone which needs two hands. Screens stay in one place. Once you've reversed into a tight spot with the overhead view and the side views, you will understand.
I don't agree much. Car screens are fixed, and most interaction is fairly large symbols for simple on off or slider scale choices. Even a phone's app drawer is crammed full of apps where the symbols just look like a jumble, then once you're in most apps get even fiddlier. Phones offer detailed information presented relatively small. And with many including the web, adverts often vy for your attention.
I am of the opinion they should integrate a pad we can just reach out with our hand just like when changing gears so we can manipulate the screen that way instead of over reaching to touch.
Because you're not scrolling on goddamn Instagram for 5 minutes and just fiddling with settings, if you're so dopamine deprived that you're planning to play around with your screen for your whole trip that's on you, not on regulations. I'm so tired of this dumb argument that detracts from other issues with screens in cars like overall ergonomics. They're nothing like using your phone.
The cleverness of this car is, as Harry said, is that it’s just a car, it’s not trying to be an EV, it’s just a well priced desirable car that happens to be EV. That’s very very clever
Dunno, If I had my own driveway and Solarpanels I would buy this one in a heartbeat. But I would still keep my trusty old jag V12. I think this Renault 5 is more fun than my current Vauxhall Astra to get me from point a to b.....
It looks pretty much like a regular hatchback car, too. Not trying to be a mini SUV or crossover. OK, the floor needs to be a bit taller because that's where the batteries are, but not by much.
You know what not very very clever? It will lose half it's value in 2 years. It's too small for a family. It's too slow for a hot hatch. It's got very limited appeal.
After all the Taycan GT, Cybertruck, Ioniq 5N, Folgore nonsense, it is no surprise this is actually the most anticipated EV to come out. Brilliant execution and I applaud Renault for understanding the customer properly.
How many AI BOTS are on this channel.... unbelievable. How on earth can you compare this 93MPH top speed electric wheelchair with a Taycan GT, Cyber Truck and Ionic 5n. You clown..
@@ecotts Don't be so rude, I am actually a lizard. Alas, it is about the need for desirable, good value European EVs for the wider consumer in contrast to expensive and overpowered electric sports cars that very few private buyers can afford.
I'm not in the market for a new car, never mind electric. But seeing Renault made a car with a normal road car acceleration and a decent entry price. £23K now is cheap, that's bog standard VW Polo 1 litre money with very few options! Not everything needs to go like a supercar, even the range isn't bad for the price. Well done Renault!
@@PeterUn-h1i about 750€ a year all-in... seeing as it'x tax free for the first 10 years, it's even cheaper then my current gas car with a lower insurance policy
Finally an electric car that actually make sense: Fancy design but nothing strange like futuristic wannabe features, no crazy power/torque, doesn't weight like an oil-tanker and at a price that real people can buy. Renault, the undisputed champion of minis/hot-hatches.
Lots of other EVs that are more practical and good value. The only reason why viewers of this channel are throwing this kind of comment in is that it is a retro car that brings memories of the past in. The Fiat 500EV with the long range battery is a very similar retro car that’s been out ages…
@neilsheppard8911 Nailed it as an EV for a city car. Can’t argue with that or Harry’s design comments. But EV’s still fall far too short in providing the long-term solution for larger ‘greener’ cars when distance is required.
The fact that it's only one passenger heavier than my Fiesta is very impressive. Shows you what happens when a small car is given an appropriately sized battery
That's my thought as well. I've never before considered an EV but this made me actually look up prices and deals. If I will actually replace my daily Alfa Brera with the R5 is a different question though... But I'm convinced this will do for a lot of people
I ordered one last week - I managed to spec it to just over 30k with the Iconic model in Pop Yellow. I’m genuinely really looking forward to getting it (Apr/May time I’m told). I’ve mainly leased high spec SUV Mercedes for last 10 years but more excited about getting this car than any of those. My first car was a Renault 5 in 1982 - I’ve gone full circle 😊
My wife ordered hers a couple of weeks ago but the config is a bit limiting. She wanted the 150hp version in Iconic spec but they won't sell you a green one in that spec so she had to have a Techno and the heated seats aren't available in that spec. Seems a bit bizarre to limit your customers choice in this way. You can't have a green one with heated seats!
In the current world we are living in, with all of the daily and never ending bad news and so much gloom, seeing a car like this just brings a bit of joy back into your life. Major hats off to Renault, I wonder will other manufacturers cop on to the fact, small, useable cars can still be made and there is a demand for them. Not every new car launched has to be a carbon copy of a SUV shape, and not ] everyone either wants or needs a bloody SUV!! I would gladly have one in that great looking yellow colour.
My earliest R5 memory was whwn I worked in Maidenhead back in 87. The receptionist at the computer company on the ground floor had one, the reg plate was YUP 1E.
It reminded me of my first car a 1974 Mk1 Ford Escort in "Modena" AKA Pea Green. There again anything looks better than variations of Dark Grey. I saw a listing for a Lexus whose main appeal to me was that it was orange (a bit like a college friends 1973 Ford Capri).
You could get 911s in that colour during the 70s and Ford made some iconic Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts in Le Mans Green, Signal Green & Java Green which were all bright green colours. It suits certain cars and this little Renault is no exception.
It's been a long time since I've been this endeared to a new car. I love all cars but this is just brilliant. Probably the mini when it first relaunched was just as exciting.
Refreshing to see a manufacturer listening to sentiment around buttons and screens and retaining some form of buttons. Looks phenomenal, priced well. Not for me in reality but I hope it puts some shocks up other manufacturers taking the piss with their pricing and packaging.
I think it's fantastic. Affordable, fun, cool, efficient, practical. No stupid power, no stupid "luxury", no stupid weight. An actually desirable real life EV. Put that Lotus Eletre next to it and enjoy the contrast and ridiculousness of massive heavy expensive EVs. Bravo Renault, bravo.
⚡Wow. £25K? I had to do a double take when I heard that. AND a fantastic design, love how they integrated rear arch with rear door, one button to turn off all the nanny warning systems. Finally some soul! Well done Renault 🇫🇷 🥖🧀 🙌 Now if you can just figure out the charging infrastructure....
Car like this; plug it in overnight at home and you'll likely never need to bother the external infrastructure. It's not going to be used for many long journey. I love it though. I badly want one.
@@ruk2023--you can get a new jag I pace with 30k off even the Renault scenic have about 7k off . I’m not against getting an ev as been watching and waiting for the price drops to settle as this kind of drop does not happen with all these ice or diesel cars. It will be interesting the knock on effect to the meagan as people may opt for the 5 more and so the meagan price could drop a lot more because or that .
For the first time since seeing the Honda E, this is an EV I'd actually own. It's like Renault took the interior of the Honda and married it with the underpinnings of a modern Clio (the walk away locking is fitted to that as well as a few other things I noticed like the rear door handles etc) and then gave it this retro-futuristic body (which feels like early an 2000's car fashion on the return). I especially like that they've not felt the need to go all "quirky and alien" just because the drivetrain is different, I could see an ICE version of this car looking exactly the same. No weird bongs, no BBC Sound Effects department whirrs, just a well put together car that does decent miles per fill-up that happens to be electric. Good job Renault, I hope you sell a tonne of them.
Harry, that no touch locking/unlocking feature is a big Renault thing, it's even on the current/recently retired Zoe - and I've come to appreciate it very much.
Great to see something fun and affordable on the market, even if it's not necessarily an enthusiast car. I'd rather have this as a grocery-getter over pretty much every other electric car on the market
Finally a electric car that looks somewhat normal in- and outside. Renault has had the courage to drop that artificial minimalism that Tesla launched for EVs.
When I got my first cars, a Golf II, 1600 diesel, a GTI needed 10 seconds to get to 60, my little diesel needed 16 seconds, just to get things in perspective. My Golf was a standard family car then, with less then 1000 kgs, 55 horsepower, on 155/13 tyres and still with drumbrakes on the rear. We've come a long way.
Renault have been good at putting a lot of luxury into their small cars, because Parisiennes like small cars that still offer luxury. The Renault 5 Baccarat springs to mind. Good to see that Renault has brought it back with their electric Renault 5. The second positive is the price: I think this Renault 5 shows the way to go for city cars.
1980 I bough my first car, a Renault 5GLT 5 door, I loved that car, especially doing the blast on the B5105 Ruthin to Cerrigydruion 1981. You know the road well, I once kept up with a Capri 2.8, lost me on the straight but kept up on the twisty bits, it was so light. I remember it well. The styling of the new car and the hint of design to the original car is appreciated, I like it a lot, fully agree on the rear lights. Well done Renault.
Thanks for this review Harry. Have seen multiple reviews of the 5 but your reviews are always on the button. I now want this car having only been slightly interested from other reviews.
Agreed and I’ve been looking at the 290 GTS but as a coffee enthusiast I can’t believe they’ve abandoned cup holders. Don’t they know cars and coffee is a thing? 🤷♂️
@@AntonHuthis car will get you from London to Manchester on one charge in the summer, just like its predecessor, the Zoe, did way back in 2020. That’s not exactly local shopping, is it?
One of my favourite reviews for ages Harry. One feels that MINI has very much lost its way. I want an R5 more than I've wanted any new car for a long time.
Renault have a real winner here it seems, I think it looks pretty good and has some personality. Cheap, good features, efficient. Think we'll see a lot of these on our roads if Renault can keep up with demand. I've got no need for a small city car, but I can see plenty of families having one of these for short journeys/school runs.
Never been a fan of french cars, but this one: Well done, I like it! It's kinda embarrassing that Volkswagen didn't mange to put sth like this on the road by now.
First EV that I have liked and would consider having ( Home Charging Accepted) Maybe this will wake up the Industry as to what they need to be providing - if they want drivers to consider EV as a practical alternative to ICE. Harry - you do need to plug your channel - you should be at a Million subs 👍
When I read the positive English comments and the mostly negative French comments on French RUclips channels on the R5. I think my country (France) is very sick.
After your review: I will go and get it. Took it for a first ride last week and was suprised as you were. It was so easy and normal for an EV. Less bullshit than others. Range could be better. Maybe I just have to go a little slower...
I think this will drive very much like the Zoe, its predecessor. If that’s right, then my top tip as a Zoe owner is to coast to a halt whenever you can - does wonders for the range.
Well done, Harry, this is the happiest I have seen you in ages, you looked as though you enjoyed yourself from the off. So good to see. This looks so similar to the R5 I had in the good old days, and it was a great car too. So pleased for Renault to get it right and stir up a few memories. Love the engine under the bonnet look, that adds to the "ordinary" feel of the car. This has to be the car for "normal" people. I saw this at the Festival Of Speed last year, and I hope Jimmy Holder is a happy man after your cracking review.
Cracking little car. So many thoughtful design features. Highly efficient; lightness appears to be standard; controls/ergonomics which aid safety rather than the opposite, very sensible prices and it looks terrific. Great review.
What a great little car. Putting the ICE vs EV argument to one side for a moment, I wish we'd get out of this growing mindset here in the UK that we need huge SUV's just to do the school run and pop to the shops in. We need more cool super minis like this to encourage that.
All my Renaults have the "true keyless" feature, even my mom's 2015 captur has it. I love it. People keep complaining about the weird renault keyfob design, but in reality you just use a little pouch like you shocased and never acutally press or fiddle with it.
Harry, you and three other channels are my must-have subscriptions, including: Number 27, Jayemm on cars, and of course Tyrell's Garage. Between all of you, I am very well served and entertained as well. With many of your vehicles showing up at Tyrell's, occasionally, as a highlight which pulls it all together.
I hope it's a great success. I gave up on French cars years ago due to rattles and dodgy electrics - an all electric French car makes me a bit nervous but would be delighted to hear of no issues as they clock up the miles - hope you also do a R4 EV review in due course..
Love the size, packaging and sweet spot for local, commuting, grocery getter under $30K. I have a 2017 EGolf that you can get for under 15k. 100 mile of range, "fast" to 50, cruises at 70 on the hiway. If you want such a car check out the 15 to19 egolf. 6year battery warranty and so far no horror stories of problems . Love Harry and his content. One of the best channels for car content and no BS. One of the OGs of car journalism.
I’ve always felt the way forward for car lovers is to get a wee runaround like this that is electric. For commuting and such and then have an ICE car for long trips and enjoyment.
Ok mind-blown on the concealed rear-doors and the conventional engine styled motor in the front. Also impressed when you said 400 quid for the fancy roof. I'm Scottish and that seems extremely reasonable.
Can really hear the joy in your voice for this and I get it. First time for a long time I’ve got excited for a Renault. First time an electric car has been price pointed at a reasonable price. First time that an old name has been reused and the modern version isn’t a sacrilege to what we remember the original to be. This could be the small second car we’ve been looking for in the modern world.
We currently have a 3 series, an old Z4 and a Renault Zoe EV. Almost all our local driving is done in the Zoe...it's a brilliant little car and I think this is the ideal use for EVs. Loved this review and can't wait to try an R5
Harry: I don't know what regen is like across all states of charge, but in the 90%'s there's not much space to put that regenerated power. It may be the case you get a lot more regen when the battery is a bit lower? Certainly the case on my rather elderly EV's anyway (which continue to save me money and delight in equal measure).
I was in France 2 weeks ago and saw tonnes of these new R5's, car carriers loaded with them and people driving them round Paris in droves already. Lots of them in yellow - seemed to be the most popular colour but it really does scream fun hot hatch.
What’s great about this car is its size. The UK does not need large cars, and it’s why everywhere you look, you’ll find hatchbacks etc. I really hope car manufacturers start producing smaller, more affordable EVs. This is a brilliant step in the right direction.
Biggest put off is an electric car needs to be a barge at the moment, I don't need a barge, an electric supermini is what I would need when my petrol car finally dies
There’s several on the market, and some of them are pretty interesting: the Dacia Spring if you want low cost and basic, the R5, the Hyundai Inster if you want really clever design, the e208 if you want price parity with petrol version…
I love a v8 as much as the next petrol head. But you can’t argue that as a daily driver an electric powertrain is 1000x better than the boring 1.2 engine (that you wouldn’t hear anyway thanks to OPF) that would otherwise be fitted to a car like this
That locking/unlocking when you walk away from it also features on my Peugeot e-208, so that´s not really new to French small cars. Also in that 208 is buttons, and a generally grown-up feel. Something about this R5 actually reminds me of it, and I think the styling here is really good.
Ive said for ages that the BMW i3 was so far ahead of its time.... and then we have lost the plot with what an electric car should do for society. Sadly BMW have also lost the plot and dropped the brilliant i3 and we have monsters like the iX and i7. Crazy. This little R5 looks like the spiritual successor to the i3 and what we need more of. Smart, cheap, small, LIGHT EVs for work commutes and city centres.
I concur. I keep wondering, why BMW won't revive the model. Would save a lot of development cost: Put a facelift on the old one and set it up with up to date tech.
The i3 looks appalling though; proper Grannymobile.
I can't stand the skinny wheels; looks like stilts.
"we have monsters like the iX and i7"
What a perfect description, I wonder if BMW is aware of what the current base feels. Then again, what do new buyers feel? Maybe we're being phased out.
@@tintinirl Jaguar moment?
i3s driver here and this it the first car that's made me think "we could swap it for that ..". Can't wait to see the alpine. Also I love the way it looks, esp in s guise but I appreciate I might be odd
And produced in France using components from European suppliers, not China.
Does that include the battery?
Honestly, you have to love the French..
@@ohyesitsme Probably not. Nowhere in the world can produce batteries to the same scale as China at the moment.
Yes but not the first year..(the plant is under construction ) @@ohyesitsme
Is that a good or bad thing?
It radiates such cheerfulness. That must be one of the rarest and most underrated quality in a car.
So true. If a car makes you feel good just by looking at it, it's already won your heart.
Can we get Starmer to drive one, it might even cheer him up😂😂
I think the Hyundai Inster does this, too
The L7 Daihatsu Cuore can't be beaten in the realm of cheerfulness. 🥰😉
The only thing that radiates is a big loss in your bank balance.
Wow: Harry tests my wife's car! Same color, same black roof, same interior, just different wheels.
Some comments from a one-month owner.... To get more regen, you may use the 'B' mode, obtained by a second action down on the lever. In this mode, you have proper engine braking and drive with one foot only. However, you still have to press the brake to come to a full stop.
Harry could have mentioned the different driving modes where the power of the engine, the lightness of the steering and car dynamics may be adjusted. Three modes are proposed: Eco, Confort and Sport. A custom setting allow to select what you want. It really allows to change the behavior: Eco is perfect in the city (very smooth) while the other modes are better out of the city.
Important point: 80% of the elements of the car are produced at less than a few hundred kilometer from the assembly factory. If I remember well, in a few months, even the battery will be made in France.
Overall, it is a very pleasant car to drive. I'm quite pleased that a french manufacturer is still able to put on the market a so well designed car.
Just wait until you try to sell it to a dealer.
@@zog97xyoh dear, you missed the point. He loves it and it’s a keeper, so he doesn’t care about residuals.
@jonstevens5962 until he changes his mind ?
@@FredFox-m9v And why would that happen so quickly?
people's circumstances can change very quickly, lost job, divorce, pregnancy etc. etc. etc. etc.
The first time ever I've seen an electric car that interested me. What a turn up for the books!
Totally agree I’ve had hot hatches all my life to many to mention but this little car might just get me into ev ownership 👍
Agreed, probably the first electric car that would be of interest
@marwood1969 let's hope it signals a shift to small light fun EVs. I think it will sell very well and other manufacturers will follow. No more massive inefficient, expensive SUVs 🤞
You're not a car enthusiast if you haven't seen a good EV until today. Or you have been under a rock
@@soundslave I didn't say a 'good EV', I said one that interested me. It's subjective and electric vehicles leave me cold as they do many others who, presumably, are also not car enthusiasts based on your sweeping force 10 generalisation.
I still can’t get my head round the fact that it’s illegal to use a phone while driving but messing about with all those daft screens is fair play.
It’s not illegal, as long as you’re not holding the phone. Fine to use in a cradle (at least according to West Yorkshire Police)
It's because of the distraction of fumbling with the physical phone which needs two hands. Screens stay in one place.
Once you've reversed into a tight spot with the overhead view and the side views, you will understand.
I don't agree much. Car screens are fixed, and most interaction is fairly large symbols for simple on off or slider scale choices.
Even a phone's app drawer is crammed full of apps where the symbols just look like a jumble, then once you're in most apps get even fiddlier.
Phones offer detailed information presented relatively small. And with many including the web, adverts often vy for your attention.
I am of the opinion they should integrate a pad we can just reach out with our hand just like when changing gears so we can manipulate the screen that way instead of over reaching to touch.
Because you're not scrolling on goddamn Instagram for 5 minutes and just fiddling with settings, if you're so dopamine deprived that you're planning to play around with your screen for your whole trip that's on you, not on regulations. I'm so tired of this dumb argument that detracts from other issues with screens in cars like overall ergonomics. They're nothing like using your phone.
The cleverness of this car is, as Harry said, is that it’s just a car, it’s not trying to be an EV, it’s just a well priced desirable car that happens to be EV. That’s very very clever
Thanks to President Trump, we will probably get the versions we want - Petrol and Diesel😃
Dunno, If I had my own driveway and Solarpanels I would buy this one in a heartbeat. But I would still keep my trusty old jag V12. I think this Renault 5 is more fun than my current Vauxhall Astra to get me from point a to b.....
The price isnt clever.
It looks pretty much like a regular hatchback car, too. Not trying to be a mini SUV or crossover. OK, the floor needs to be a bit taller because that's where the batteries are, but not by much.
You know what not very very clever? It will lose half it's value in 2 years. It's too small for a family. It's too slow for a hot hatch. It's got very limited appeal.
Haven't seen Harry that enthusiastic on this channel since he did the Paris-Dakar Enduro bike videos. I think he likes the Renault 5...!!!!
Well done Renault for listening to what customers actually want!
They are making a V6 then?😃
A breath of traditional fresh air
Thanks to President Trump, we will probably get the versions we actually want - Petrol and Diesel😃
Like an Allegro quartic steering wheel?
@@JamesSmith-qs4hx - you wish.
After all the Taycan GT, Cybertruck, Ioniq 5N, Folgore nonsense, it is no surprise this is actually the most anticipated EV to come out. Brilliant execution and I applaud Renault for understanding the customer properly.
Yes sure, but rich people will stil buy range rovers for running errands😂
How many AI BOTS are on this channel.... unbelievable. How on earth can you compare this 93MPH top speed electric wheelchair with a Taycan GT, Cyber Truck and Ionic 5n. You clown..
@@ecotts Don't be so rude, I am actually a lizard.
Alas, it is about the need for desirable, good value European EVs for the wider consumer in contrast to expensive and overpowered electric sports cars that very few private buyers can afford.
I'm not in the market for a new car, never mind electric. But seeing Renault made a car with a normal road car acceleration and a decent entry price. £23K now is cheap, that's bog standard VW Polo 1 litre money with very few options!
Not everything needs to go like a supercar, even the range isn't bad for the price.
Well done Renault!
Totally agree about the performance, people want range not 01-100 in 3 seconds. This is the first EV I could actually consider owning
You can buy a Clio for considerably less, it's not cheap
That mentioned price is for the absolutely lowest version. Can't even fast charge which turns it into a dedicated grocery shopper and nothing else.
Ordered mine 2 weeks ago in yellow... so excited to get it, if all goes well, in about 4 weeks from now
Well done absolutely love it good luck.👍👍👍
And then you realise how bad it really is!
@@xDNightmarex how much do they cost to insure? Thanks in advance
£27k . Too small. No
@@PeterUn-h1i about 750€ a year all-in... seeing as it'x tax free for the first 10 years, it's even cheaper then my current gas car with a lower insurance policy
I bet this review went down a treat to any Renault execs who might be watching. A glowing report from Harry means a lot.
They still won't sell.
@@zog97xy I predict they will, and out sell the Mini with it's poser status.
@@zog97xy Incentives will go a long way for the R5, a lot further than for the rich man EVs.
@@zog97xy It's was the top 10 best selling car in France for it's first 2 months and outsold the Model Y. It's had shit loads of interest.
I bet this comment was written by bots sponsored by Renault execs.
Finally an electric car that actually make sense:
Fancy design but nothing strange like futuristic wannabe features, no crazy power/torque, doesn't weight like an oil-tanker and at a price that real people can buy.
Renault, the undisputed champion of minis/hot-hatches.
Why does it make sense? its just a pretty overpriced hatchback.
Lots of other EVs that are more practical and good value. The only reason why viewers of this channel are throwing this kind of comment in is that it is a retro car that brings memories of the past in. The Fiat 500EV with the long range battery is a very similar retro car that’s been out ages…
@@amiddled And the fiat 500EV is well overpriced the chinese will take over soon and the cars will be affordable and just as bad!
Exactly, not huge 20" special tires, glass roof... everything which is expensive and heavy too.
@@zog97xy I gave the 500 as an example of another retro EV available before this one. I wasn’t defending it as a good car.
Nailed it. The first EV that really makes sense.
100%
Agreed, but a tesla model 3 makes more sense in every way tbh 😅
Agreed, but a tesla model 3 makes more sense in every way tbh 😅
@@Aikaramba12 apart from price, good looks and dumb "tablet controls" for almost everything
@neilsheppard8911
Nailed it as an EV for a city car. Can’t argue with that or Harry’s design comments. But EV’s still fall far too short in providing the long-term solution for larger ‘greener’ cars when distance is required.
The fact that it's only one passenger heavier than my Fiesta is very impressive. Shows you what happens when a small car is given an appropriately sized battery
First EV that let me think to buy one. You are absoluteley right.
I think it's a better buy than the Alpine version as well.
That's my thought as well. I've never before considered an EV but this made me actually look up prices and deals. If I will actually replace my daily Alfa Brera with the R5 is a different question though... But I'm convinced this will do for a lot of people
@@deramon1000The first electric Mini (not the current Chinese one) is a very very good EV at very good prices used.
Ditto !
It's an object lesson to other car manufacturers, but will they take note (looking at you Jaguar) ....
@@pachy444 Well it's good in mostly everything except range. The range of the previous generation of electric Mini is abysmal.
I ordered one last week - I managed to spec it to just over 30k with the Iconic model in Pop Yellow. I’m genuinely really looking forward to getting it (Apr/May time I’m told). I’ve mainly leased high spec SUV Mercedes for last 10 years but more excited about getting this car than any of those.
My first car was a Renault 5 in 1982 - I’ve gone full circle 😊
My wife ordered hers a couple of weeks ago but the config is a bit limiting. She wanted the 150hp version in Iconic spec but they won't sell you a green one in that spec so she had to have a Techno and the heated seats aren't available in that spec. Seems a bit bizarre to limit your customers choice in this way. You can't have a green one with heated seats!
Great to see Renault getting their mojo back, I had a R5 Gordini back in the day, loved that car and these have the same vibes.
They don't save your money.
I’m in love with it, this is what electric vehicles should be. Not some inefficient, bloated SUV with 800hp
Quirky design, bright colours, real buttons, good price point. Well done Renault. Everyone else take note.
I don't think Renault will be able to keep up with the orders......10/10 Renault, Bravo.
As long as the quality is there, and very much the batteries are good. Some pretty epic EV issues have occurred.
It's the other way around, the manufacturing tool is way over the top for any sort of potential orders they will get.
Exactly what EVs should be, small , well specced, practical and affordable.
How is it affordable at £22,000? you might get £10,000 for it in 12 months.
@@zog97xy Because it's 2025. A base spec 1.2 Corsa is now a £18,000 car. The cheapest Ford you can buy is over £26,000.
@@drunkenhobo5039 Wrong! I just sold one! for £13,000 it cost me £14.000 they have a wet belt engine so it had to go.
@@zog97xy it will definitely not depreciate over 50% in the first year.
@@zog97xy You know cars that sell well and people want don't depreciate as fast.... and this is looking like it'll be a very good seller.
In the current world we are living in, with all of the daily and never ending bad news
and so much gloom, seeing a car like this just brings a bit of joy back into your life.
Major hats off to Renault, I wonder will other manufacturers cop on to the fact,
small, useable cars can still be made and there is a demand for them.
Not every new car launched has to be a carbon copy of a SUV shape, and not ]
everyone either wants or needs a bloody SUV!!
I would gladly have one in that great looking yellow colour.
My earliest R5 memory was whwn I worked in Maidenhead back in 87. The receptionist at the computer company on the ground floor had one, the reg plate was YUP 1E.
Now on a Red 1987 3litre Petrol Mercedes...
@mintyedinburgh5570 I wonder if it is the same owner?
I really like this. It actually isn't ugly like most EVs.
So pleased to see that colour has come back - I had a 1974 Renault 5TL in the same shade of green.
Kermit green, No thanks.
Cool 😎
It reminded me of my first car a 1974 Mk1 Ford Escort in "Modena" AKA Pea Green. There again anything looks better than variations of Dark Grey. I saw a listing for a Lexus whose main appeal to me was that it was orange (a bit like a college friends 1973 Ford Capri).
You could get 911s in that colour during the 70s and Ford made some iconic Mk1 and Mk2 Escorts in Le Mans Green, Signal Green & Java Green which were all bright green colours. It suits certain cars and this little Renault is no exception.
What an AWESOME looking little car! I wish we had this in the US, I'd buy it in a heartbeat!
@@es95950 it's French I wouldn't they don't have the best reliability record, its usually the electrics which on an EV could be a issue lol
@@PeterUn-h1i Renault EVs like the Zoe have a good reputation im sorry…
@@PeterUn-h1i Renault ranked 9th for reliability, the the electrics being an issue on them hasn't been a thing since the 90's.
@madmandonna1 is that why at 8 years old Zone batteries are shot. Good youtube channel about a chap who buys them to make a good one out of them.
It's been a long time since I've been this endeared to a new car. I love all cars but this is just brilliant. Probably the mini when it first relaunched was just as exciting.
Refreshing to see a manufacturer listening to sentiment around buttons and screens and retaining some form of buttons. Looks phenomenal, priced well. Not for me in reality but I hope it puts some shocks up other manufacturers taking the piss with their pricing and packaging.
Well done Harry, reviewing an important new car rather than your usual diet of supercars, mud-pluggers and museum pieces!
“Three more from them later”
In fairness if you were him would you turn down the opportunity to drive around a manufacturers $500000 super car?
I think it's fantastic. Affordable, fun, cool, efficient, practical. No stupid power, no stupid "luxury", no stupid weight. An actually desirable real life EV.
Put that Lotus Eletre next to it and enjoy the contrast and ridiculousness of massive heavy expensive EVs. Bravo Renault, bravo.
Love your reviews of affordable cars!
Look at the exterior as well as the interior - it just looks good. No overexagerated nonsense, just a solid car with a nod to the older days. Nice!!
Yea it's a lovely looking car. And is a proper nod to the original unlike the new mini which is basically a mini only by name
⚡Wow. £25K? I had to do a double take when I heard that.
AND a fantastic design, love how they integrated rear arch with rear door, one button to turn off all the nanny warning systems. Finally some soul! Well done Renault 🇫🇷 🥖🧀 🙌
Now if you can just figure out the charging infrastructure....
Car like this; plug it in overnight at home and you'll likely never need to bother the external infrastructure. It's not going to be used for many long journey. I love it though. I badly want one.
Give it 6 months it will be about 16k
@@robinrdale8318 wait you mean like every new car it’s gonna lose money? Say it ain’t so!
Give it a year will be 10 😂😂@@robinrdale8318
@@ruk2023--you can get a new jag I pace with 30k off even the Renault scenic have about 7k off . I’m not against getting an ev as been watching and waiting for the price drops to settle as this kind of drop does not happen with all these ice or diesel cars. It will be interesting the knock on effect to the meagan as people may opt for the 5 more and so the meagan price could drop a lot more because or that .
£23k, virtually no servicing costs and ultra cheap to recharge at home....maybe people will finally realize BEV's are the future....
For the first time since seeing the Honda E, this is an EV I'd actually own. It's like Renault took the interior of the Honda and married it with the underpinnings of a modern Clio (the walk away locking is fitted to that as well as a few other things I noticed like the rear door handles etc) and then gave it this retro-futuristic body (which feels like early an 2000's car fashion on the return). I especially like that they've not felt the need to go all "quirky and alien" just because the drivetrain is different, I could see an ICE version of this car looking exactly the same. No weird bongs, no BBC Sound Effects department whirrs, just a well put together car that does decent miles per fill-up that happens to be electric.
Good job Renault, I hope you sell a tonne of them.
Also, unlike the Honda E, it has a useable range.
@@simonstock2526Bit gutted they never gave the Honda anywhere close to a half decent range.
@@Seandunc69Especially for the money they wanted for them.
@@MrHabushi you can pick them up quite cheap now
Lovely to see you Harry being so excited about a car again even if its an EV.
Harry, that no touch locking/unlocking feature is a big Renault thing, it's even on the current/recently retired Zoe - and I've come to appreciate it very much.
Yep, I have the new Scenic and it's one of my favourite features of it.
The Renault Trafic van we bought a while back does it too - quite handy!
My 2004 Megane had it. Great item.
Its on higher trim dacias as well
Overall, it’s amazing to see how much of what Harry was praising, along with what lots of commenters have noted, was available on the Zoe…
It's about time someone did the car we might want... not to big and heavy either... excellent. John
Great to see something fun and affordable on the market, even if it's not necessarily an enthusiast car. I'd rather have this as a grocery-getter over pretty much every other electric car on the market
When we talk about cars that do 0-60 in ~7 seconds as slow, we need to remember that a 90's base 911 Carrera does it in six seconds.
Finally a electric car that looks somewhat normal in- and outside. Renault has had the courage to drop that artificial minimalism that Tesla launched for EVs.
When I got my first cars, a Golf II, 1600 diesel, a GTI needed 10 seconds to get to 60, my little diesel needed 16 seconds, just to get things in perspective. My Golf was a standard family car then, with less then 1000 kgs, 55 horsepower, on 155/13 tyres and still with drumbrakes on the rear. We've come a long way.
Renault have been good at putting a lot of luxury into their small cars, because Parisiennes like small cars that still offer luxury. The Renault 5 Baccarat springs to mind. Good to see that Renault has brought it back with their electric Renault 5. The second positive is the price: I think this Renault 5 shows the way to go for city cars.
Yep the reason I have my current gen Clio is because of how premium it feels compared to it's competition
I learned to drive in a R5 in 1977. I loved the dash gear lever. Fond memories. Love the new one.
I'm not an EV fan but I think that car could be a winner for Renault.
When solid state/ semi solid state batteries come in in a couple of years, this is all the car you'll ever need.
1980 I bough my first car, a Renault 5GLT 5 door, I loved that car, especially doing the blast on the B5105 Ruthin to Cerrigydruion 1981. You know the road well, I once kept up with a Capri 2.8, lost me on the straight but kept up on the twisty bits, it was so light. I remember it well.
The styling of the new car and the hint of design to the original car is appreciated, I like it a lot, fully agree on the rear lights.
Well done Renault.
Thanks for this review Harry. Have seen multiple reviews of the 5 but your reviews are always on the button. I now want this car having only been slightly interested from other reviews.
Love this R5.
The Alpine version is amazing
Agreed and I’ve been looking at the 290 GTS but as a coffee enthusiast I can’t believe they’ve abandoned cup holders. Don’t they know cars and coffee is a thing? 🤷♂️
@@mra9085 With an electric car, you'll have plenty of time to go into sevices for a coffee while it's charging.
@@AntonHu Well, they charge while we sleep, saving us wasting our days at petrol pumps 😉😉
@@mra9085 Fine if you just go local shopping.
@@AntonHuthis car will get you from London to Manchester on one charge in the summer, just like its predecessor, the Zoe, did way back in 2020. That’s not exactly local shopping, is it?
Great vid as always Harry, thanks you! Your subs SHOULD be well north of a mil!!!
Just starting to see them on road here in southern france ! Big smiles!
One of my favourite reviews for ages Harry. One feels that MINI has very much lost its way. I want an R5 more than I've wanted any new car for a long time.
Renault have a real winner here it seems, I think it looks pretty good and has some personality. Cheap, good features, efficient. Think we'll see a lot of these on our roads if Renault can keep up with demand. I've got no need for a small city car, but I can see plenty of families having one of these for short journeys/school runs.
Design is brilliant and I expect to see them everywhere soon .
im more excited over this than any car on your channel in a long time as its a car thats actually in an affordable price range. amazing for the price.
Going to see loads of these. Make perfect sense for around town/99% of most people's journeys. Would be on my list if I wanted an EV.
Never been a fan of french cars, but this one: Well done, I like it! It's kinda embarrassing that Volkswagen didn't mange to put sth like this on the road by now.
This is what VW should have done with the Golf
VW will introduce its ID2 in 2077…
Always been a huge Renault fan. Massively underrated in the uk as a brand imo
VW thought the ID.3 was going to be this moment, back in 2019... but they totally fluffed it.
@@schrimpf But it'll look just as bad as all their other crossover boxes
Love how Harry has such a common sense approach to cars. I agree this seems to actually be a car people will want to buy.
First EV that I have liked and would consider having ( Home Charging Accepted) Maybe this will wake up the Industry as to what they need to be providing - if they want drivers to consider EV as a practical alternative to ICE.
Harry - you do need to plug your channel - you should be at a Million subs 👍
When I read the positive English comments and the mostly negative French comments on French RUclips channels on the R5. I think my country (France) is very sick.
After your review: I will go and get it. Took it for a first ride last week and was suprised as you were. It was so easy and normal for an EV. Less bullshit than others. Range could be better. Maybe I just have to go a little slower...
I think this will drive very much like the Zoe, its predecessor. If that’s right, then my top tip as a Zoe owner is to coast to a halt whenever you can - does wonders for the range.
Well done, Harry, this is the happiest I have seen you in ages, you looked as though you enjoyed yourself from the off. So good to see. This looks so similar to the R5 I had in the good old days, and it was a great car too. So pleased for Renault to get it right and stir up a few memories. Love the engine under the bonnet look, that adds to the "ordinary" feel of the car. This has to be the car for "normal" people. I saw this at the Festival Of Speed last year, and I hope Jimmy Holder is a happy man after your cracking review.
Good review. Yes there is a lot of hype but the product is good.
Cracking little car. So many thoughtful design features. Highly efficient; lightness appears to be standard; controls/ergonomics which aid safety rather than the opposite, very sensible prices and it looks terrific. Great review.
Harry you're sat on the proper side of the car!
Jokes aside, this car really looks great!
I had an i3, this looks funky too, but better looking. An enthusiastic review.
Where’s my nearest Renault dealer…
suprising how big it looks in the garage
Sadly, all modern cars are bloated
Remember when 18" wheels were big?!
It's big outside but small inside
What a great little car.
Putting the ICE vs EV argument to one side for a moment, I wish we'd get out of this growing mindset here in the UK that we need huge SUV's just to do the school run and pop to the shops in. We need more cool super minis like this to encourage that.
Actually I think Reno should be applauded for this... actually looks like good fun and love the nods to its older siblings
Did you know that Renault has an in-car assistant called Reno 😉
Reno???
Jean Reno.
All my Renaults have the "true keyless" feature, even my mom's 2015 captur has it. I love it. People keep complaining about the weird renault keyfob design, but in reality you just use a little pouch like you shocased and never acutally press or fiddle with it.
Let’s be honest, it is a great family affordable car, and it has looks appeal….. job done….
Harry, you and three other channels are my must-have subscriptions, including: Number 27, Jayemm on cars, and of course Tyrell's Garage. Between all of you, I am very well served and entertained as well. With many of your vehicles showing up at Tyrell's, occasionally, as a highlight which pulls it all together.
A Harry’s Garage video to spice up my Sunday! Thank you very much! 🙏
I hope it's a great success. I gave up on French cars years ago due to rattles and dodgy electrics - an all electric French car makes me a bit nervous but would be delighted to hear of no issues as they clock up the miles - hope you also do a R4 EV review in due course..
The first EV that I would go out and buy. Perfect as a second car for my wife and for doing the weekend shopping.
Love the size, packaging and sweet spot for local, commuting, grocery getter under $30K. I have a 2017 EGolf that you can get for under 15k. 100 mile of range, "fast" to 50, cruises at 70 on the hiway. If you want such a car check out the 15 to19 egolf. 6year battery warranty and so far no horror stories of problems . Love Harry and his content. One of the best channels for car content and no BS. One of the OGs of car journalism.
Perfect second car for soooo many households. It's the first BEV to be on my short-list for when I change one of the cars this summer
First electric car I have seen that I would consider! Great review, Harry
At least it actually looks like the old one. Look at the state of the Capri!
I’ve always felt the way forward for car lovers is to get a wee runaround like this that is electric. For commuting and such and then have an ICE car for long trips and enjoyment.
My Megane Etech has 4 levels of regen, with paddles behind the steering wheel. I usually use level 3, and 4 when there are roundabouts.
Same, love it.
Ok mind-blown on the concealed rear-doors and the conventional engine styled motor in the front. Also impressed when you said 400 quid for the fancy roof. I'm Scottish and that seems extremely reasonable.
Looks like Renault have knocked it out the park with this car. Can't wait for Harry to review the A290!
Can really hear the joy in your voice for this and I get it. First time for a long time I’ve got excited for a Renault. First time an electric car has been price pointed at a reasonable price. First time that an old name has been reused and the modern version isn’t a sacrilege to what we remember the original to be. This could be the small second car we’ve been looking for in the modern world.
Renault deserves to sell every single one they aim to, such a lovely car. First ever electric car I actually want ❤
We currently have a 3 series, an old Z4 and a Renault Zoe EV. Almost all our local driving is done in the Zoe...it's a brilliant little car and I think this is the ideal use for EVs.
Loved this review and can't wait to try an R5
Harry: I don't know what regen is like across all states of charge, but in the 90%'s there's not much space to put that regenerated power.
It may be the case you get a lot more regen when the battery is a bit lower?
Certainly the case on my rather elderly EV's anyway (which continue to save me money and delight in equal measure).
What a compelling little car. So glad to see it coming in under 1.5t, the lower weight will go a long way in making this feel fresh and spritely
It looks so good. So so good. Retro future done right.
Looks good. Would be even better if it had a 1.6 turbo engine in it
I was in France 2 weeks ago and saw tonnes of these new R5's, car carriers loaded with them and people driving them round Paris in droves already. Lots of them in yellow - seemed to be the most popular colour but it really does scream fun hot hatch.
What’s great about this car is its size.
The UK does not need large cars, and it’s why everywhere you look, you’ll find hatchbacks etc.
I really hope car manufacturers start producing smaller, more affordable EVs. This is a brilliant step in the right direction.
Biggest put off is an electric car needs to be a barge at the moment, I don't need a barge, an electric supermini is what I would need when my petrol car finally dies
There’s several on the market, and some of them are pretty interesting: the Dacia Spring if you want low cost and basic, the R5, the Hyundai Inster if you want really clever design, the e208 if you want price parity with petrol version…
we have a renault zoe and love it...the renault 5 ev looks like a newer and updated version of a very useful, cheap to run car.
I love a v8 as much as the next petrol head. But you can’t argue that as a daily driver an electric powertrain is 1000x better than the boring 1.2 engine (that you wouldn’t hear anyway thanks to OPF) that would otherwise be fitted to a car like this
Exactly! The people who whine about "passion" and "soul" and then go on to say it should have a 1.2 turbodiesel are ridiculous
Wow. As you put it Harry - the desirability of this car is off the charts. I want this.
Dacia Stepway that I've rented earlier this month had the key-fob distance lock/unlock feature as well, seems like it's common in Renault cars
And in the Zoe. Never need to press a button on the key.
Brings a smile to your face, something with a bit of personality.
Did it really lift the rear tire at 11:18? How french hothatch! The Alpine version might be fun.
That locking/unlocking when you walk away from it also features on my Peugeot e-208, so that´s not really new to French small cars. Also in that 208 is buttons, and a generally grown-up feel. Something about this R5 actually reminds me of it, and I think the styling here is really good.