VERDICT
Charismatic but grown-up, the 4 is a real contender
★★★★✩
That the Renault 4 – the quiet, ultra-utilitarian, semi-forgotten character from the 1960s – would be reincarnated in 2025 as a bubbly electric crossover seemed unlikely not long ago. However, once the decision to revive the 5 was made, offering a more practical sibling was obvious. We suspect the resulting car is on course to have quite an impact in the circa-£30k EV sphere, trading a portion of the 5’s vivacity for useful passenger and luggage space, while retaining the smaller car’s sense of fun and imagination. These are powerful attributes that the 4 pairs with fine everyday efficiency, a slick digital suite and the kind of easygoing drivability that has been a hallmark of French cars. Higher-spec models encroach on the patch of larger, more capable cars, but below £30k the new 4 is a stellar option.