Renault 4 E-Tech review

Make and model: Renault 4 E-Tech IconicDescription: Electric crossover SUVPrice: GBP28,595 (including options) Kia says: "Renault 4 is back and it's electric. E-Tech powertrain with up to 150 hp, a driving range of up to 249 miles and quick charging.

Experience a new level of freedom and driving pleasure."We say: Lovely retro looks, but its real-world range lets it down.

Introduction

The Renault 4 has joined the brand's resurrected electrified line-up as a crossover SUV. The R4 is larger than its Renault 5 [1] sibling, and its rivals include the Mini Aceman [2], Ford Puma Gen-E [3], and Jeep Avenger Electric [4]. Priced from GBP23.4K, the R4 undercuts all the above.

However, it's only available with one powertrain and battery.

What is it?

Remember the 1961 Renault 4? Well, the latest R4 takes stylistic inspiration from just that, and Renault has done a fine job at modernising it. Unlike the original, which was primarily used by French farmers, the R4 performs best on the tarmac, despite its off-road physique.

Underneath its pretty bodywork lies the R5's underpinnings and powertrain, meaning the only real difference is that the R4 is around 8 cm longer than its counterpart.

Who is this car aimed at?

If you're looking at any of its rivals and are thinking "That's just not special enough," then the Renault 4 might be for you. It's stylistically cooler than any of its rivals. It's also perfect for those who like the idea of the R5 but require more room.

It's also ideal for those who enjoy getting a lot of bang for their buck, as the R4 is packed with tech out of the box. More on that later.

Who won't like it?

Its styling may not be for everyone, and its range is relatively poor. Therefore, if your daily commute is more than 50 miles each way, you may want to look elsewhere unless you have access to a charging station.

First impressions

The Renault 4 stood out amongst the Mini Coopers and Fiat 500s in my estate.

It's a real eye-catcher, but the diamond-black paintwork, a GBP650 option, looked a bit meh. There are so many other cool colours available that really enhance the R4's retro styling, but black isn't one of them. The R4 also looks great from every angle; I often turned to look at it after locking it up.

Like the R5, the R4 also has plenty of interior quirks, but if that's not enough, you can spec a wicker baguette holder for GBP120. Its front seats are comfortable on longer journeys and offer plenty of adjustment; however, like the R5, the rear is best kept for shorter trips. We like: Quirky looks and optional extras.We don't like: Legroom in the rear is tight.

What do you get for your money?

Buyers can choose from three trim levels: evolution+, techno+, and iconic+.

Entry-level cars get 18-inch alloys, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view camera, a driver attention alert, cruise control, automatic high beam, manual seat adjustment, and a heat pump. Upgrade to the techno+ for an extra GBP2,500, and you'll get a black styling pack, adaptive cruise control, ambient lighting and an autodimming rear-view mirror. Iconic+ costs GBP2,000 more, but it adds heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a heap of safety systems, an electrically powered tailgate, and privacy glass.

A top-spec R4 still undercuts many of its entry-level rivals, making it a great choice if you have the cash to spend. Just don't go too crazy with the optional baguette holders. All cars come with a 52kWh battery, 11kW AC charging, and 100kW DC rapid charging.

A 150bhp motor also makes for swift performance. We like: Decent performance. Lots of standard tech.

Top-spec is affordable.We don't like: Only one motor and battery available. Options can be expensive.

What's the Renault 4 like inside?

'Splendid' best describes the R4's interior. There are many similarities between the R5, such as the dashboard with its leather padding, and the controls and plastics.

Those who are familiar with the R5 will know about a special button near the driver's door called Perso. Perso allows the driver to set customisable driving modes, so it can be configured to turn off all the annoying safety systems. There's also a multi-sense feature on the Renault 4's steering wheel, which allows you to flick between the car's drive modes.

The touchscreen is crisp and fast. Like everything, it'll take some time to get used to where everything lives, but I was scrolling through menus quickly by my third day with the car. Except for the shallow door bins, there's enough storage in the R4's cabin, including a 36-litre underfloor bin ideal for stashing the charging cable.

Unfortunately, the rear seats don't fold flat, and although the cabin feels relatively plush, it doesn't take long to find cheaper materials; however, this is a cheap-ish car, after all. We like: Fresh and distinctive interior. Customisable drive mode button.

Underfloor storage.We don't like: Seats don't fold flat. Some questionable materials in places.

What's the Renault 4 like to drive?

150 bhp won't impress your mates, but then the R4 isn't a performance car. However, it'll manage the 0-62 mph run in a respectable 8.6 seconds, and there's plenty of mid-range punch for overtaking slower traffic.

The R4 gets unsettled over deeper ruts and bumps, like most smaller cars, but its suspension soaks up the average pothole and drain cover well. It's also comfortable on longer motorway journeys, and not once did I experience any back pain. Sadly, your motorway journeys had best be short.

With a fully charged battery, the R4 showed 182 miles, 65 miles off Renault's claimed figure. Range then rapidly dropped to 167 miles after a few minutes of calm driving. Over a 126-mile run, the car returned 2.8m/kWh while switching between eco and comfort modes, despite the outside temperature being roughly 10 degrees Celsius.

No matter what I tried -- barely touching the throttle or brakes, and utilising the car's regen -- I couldn't get close to Renault's 4.0m/kWh figure. Thankfully, it doesn't take long to charge. A 30-100% charge via my 7kWh home wallbox took around five hours.

At a meatier charger, the car managed a little over 100kW, dropping to 70kW after passing 60%. It also charged from 15 to 80% in just over 30 minutes. We like: Reasonable performance.

Doesn't take long to charge. Comfortable.We don't like: Questionable range and efficiency.

Verdict

I couldn't be mad at the R4; that would've been the equivalent of scolding a puppy that's peed on the floor. It's still a young car, and like the R5, I feel the R4 has a great future.

That said, what we have here is more than just the bones of an electric crossover. It smashes its rivals in most fields, and it's the one I'd pick. However, I feel a larger battery with faster DC charging would be more than welcome.

Key specifications

Model tested: Renault 4 E-Tech IconicPrice as tested: GBP28,595Powertrain: Electric motor, front-wheel-driveGearbox: Single-speed automatic

Power: 150 hpTorque: 245 NmTop speed: 93 mph0-62mph: 8.5 seconds

Range: 247 milesCO2 emissions: 0 g/kmEuro NCAP safety rating: Five stars [13] (May 2025)TCE Expert rating: A, 77%[14] (December 2025)

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Personal contract hire deals from Select Car Leasing. Find out more [15]

References

^ Renault 5 (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Mini Aceman (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Ford Puma Gen-E (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Jeep Avenger Electric (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ BYD Dolphin (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Citroen e-C3 (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Fiat 500e (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ GWM Ora 03 (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Mini Cooper Electric (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Peugeot e-208 (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Renault 5 E-Tech (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Vauxhall Corsa Electric (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Five stars (www.euroncap.com)
^ A, 77% (www.thecarexpert.co.uk)
^ Find out more (www.selectcarleasing.co.uk)