RENAULT 5
52kWh Techno
RECENTLY, WE’VE SEEN the revival of a few iconic car names, and while some have caused quite a stir over how little the new model resembles its predecessor, the Renault 5 (R5) hits all the right notes. Better still, this modern interpretation of the original hatchback from the 1970s isn’t just a styling exercise; it has all the key components that you’d want from a small electric car.
Renault’s entry-level batterypowered model certainly doesn’t feel like it’s been built to a budget when you’re sitting inside. Our preferred mid-range Techno trim has all the tech you’d find inside the R5’s larger Megane and Scenic stablemates, including a big, 10.3in digital instrument panel with a wide choice of layouts, and a 10.1in touchscreen infotainment system that’s one of the best around, thanks to its intuitive menus and Google-based sat-nav and voice control apps.
With physical switches for the air-con, it’s more user-friendly than the Cupra Born’s dashboard, while ambient lighting and a generous layer of padded materials and textured surfaces (including a patterned rooflining) help the interior to look and feel more upmarket than those of the rival Hyundai Inster and MG 4.