First drives Positive
Attractive design inside and out, practical interior, composed ride, fantastic value for money, fun to drive.
Negative Fiddly handbrake control, some
interior fi nishes not as good as they look, ‘plein sud’ fabric roof not available at launch.
Renault 4 E-Tech Martyn Collins
What do you do if you like the Renault 5 E-Tech but need more rear space and practicality? Well, Renault now has you covered, in the form of the 5’s bigger brother – the 4 E-Tech.
Just like with the 5, Renault has looked to its past for its EV future. More than eight million of the original 4, a Citroen 2CV-rivalling five-door hatch, were sold from 1961 to 1991. 34 years on, on top of gaining electric power, the new car has lost its basic market positioning and now has the equipment and feel to take on key B-segment rivals, such as the Fiat 600 and Mini Aceman. On sale later this year, like the 5 E-Tech the 4 looks fantastic. Sympathetic design cues start at the front, with what Renault is claiming to be the world’s first one-piece illuminated grille, in the same shape with circular lights as the original. Then there’s a low boot sill, that like the original is impressively practical, and a trapezoid rear window which remains a key identifier. Other highlights include the vertical LED rear lights, large wheels, and the choice of personalisation options. The pastel-like paint options aren’t as in your face as the yellows and greens of the 5 but are equally distinctive. Ultimately, it remains faithful to the
If you like the Renault 5 E-Tech, but want more space and practicality, then this is the answer. Renault 4 E-Tech Techno
52kWh P11D TBC On sale September Residual value TBC Depreciation TBC Fuel TBC Service, maintenance and repair TBC Cost per mile TBC Range 247 miles CO2 (BIK Band) 0g/km (3%) BIK 20/40% a month TBC/TBC Luggage capacity 420 litres Battery size/power 52kWh/150hp
2022 show car and has the same ‘want’ factor as the 5.
Inside, the 4 feels like a bigger 5 – which it effectively is. It shares its dashboard with its smaller brother, with the same highlights that include the distinctive air vents, the contrast- stitched panel on the passenger side in attractive denim-style trim, and the two 10in screens for the infotainment and instruments.
The driving position is excellent, with decent space. The seats are supportive and were attractively trimmed in the same denim-style trim as the dashboard on our Techno-spec test car. Where the 4 scores over the 5 is with its 2.62m wheelbase, resulting in more
generous cabin space, with 16.4cm of knee room and 85.3cm of headroom for rear seat occupants – although the tallest will still find their heads brushing the headlining in the back. Elsewhere, there’s an exceptional 420-litre boot, which can be extended to 1,405 litres with the rear seats folded.
Underneath, like the 5, the 4 uses Renault’s AmpR chassis architecture, with the underfloor battery ensuring a low centre of gravity, that along with the multi-link rear axle is supposed to equal keen dynamics.
The 4 E-Tech is offered with one battery option, with a 52kWh capacity, which is expected to provide a range of up to 247 miles. This is paired with a 110kW powertrain, with 150hp. When it comes to charging, all models
Standard equipment: 18in alloy wheels, dual 10in screens for driver information and infotainment, advanced ADAS systems.
Engines: Electric: 150hp
Equipment grades: Evolution, Techno, Iconic
Transmission: Single-speed auto
benefit from 11kW AC charging as standard, with up to 100kW DC charging, equalling a 10-80% charge in just 30 minutes.
On the road, the 4’s more comfortable and composed ride impresses most, with its own bespoke settings. The steering is also pleasingly precise – although it’s not as sharp as the Mini Aceman’s. There’s also some body roll, and the handbrake setup is fiddly – just like the 5’s – which is a shame. Although, the 4 debuts a one pedal driving function, which will be rolled out to the 5 eventually. Overall, it’s fun to drive, although there’s a surprising amount of wind noise around the mirrors at motorway speeds.
There will be three equipment grades at launch: Evolution, Techno (the version we drove), and Iconic. Exact specifications haven’t been released but are likely to follow the 5. What we do know is that the new Renault 4 will be fantastic value for money, with prices expected to range from £27,000 to £32,000.
Talking of the range, we found the 4 to be more efficient than the 5, with our car showing up to 3.6mpkWh, which roughly equals a 250-mile range. Ultimately, the new Renault 4 is a great EV, and deserves its likely success with fleets.
www.businesscar.co.uk | May/June 2025 | 39
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