This is a real-world 200 km test drive review of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, the retro-styled EV that has been a finalist for the 2024 European Car of the Year award. The drive took place on Izmir's coastal roads in late 2024, and the car's bold design drew constant attention. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric review reveals a compact urban electric car with surprising torque, a 150 km/h speed limiter, and a playful character that makes it feel much larger than its dimensions suggest.
The short version
A 200 km test drive of the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric in Izmir shows a retro-designed electric car with strong torque, a 150 km/h speed limiter, and impressive attention from passersby. It was a finalist for the 2024 European Car of the Year award and is positioned as a second car or urban EV, offering a mix of nostalgia and modern electric performance.
- The 200 km test drive took place in Izmir, Turkey, in late 2024.
- The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric was a finalist for the European Car of the Year award for 2024.
- The car has a 150 km/h speed limiter and strong torque for its size.
- Its retro design drew frequent attention from pedestrians and other drivers.
A 200 km Test Drive That Changed My Mind
I wasn't looking for an electric car, and I certainly wasn't expecting to like one. But a single day in İzmir, Turkey, behind the wheel of my sibling's brand-new Renault 5 E-Tech Electric changed all that. We covered 200 kilometers in one day, winding through city streets and coastal roads, and by the end, I was genuinely reconsidering everything I thought I knew about EVs.
Let me be honest: I've always been skeptical of electric vehicles. The range anxiety, the charging infrastructure, the way they feel more like appliances than cars, none of it ever appealed to me. But this little Renault has a way of making you forget your prejudices. Park it anywhere in İzmir's bustling city center, and strangers will approach you. They ask questions, they take photos, they point. I've never experienced anything like it, not even in a flashy sports car. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric draws attention like a magnet, and it's not just the looks, it's the sheer curiosity the car inspires.
Parked in İzmir: The Retro Design That Stops Traffic
In central İzmir, the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric draws crowds like a flashy Ferrari would. Nearly every pedestrian who passes stops to stare or ask questions. The car's retro design, a clear nod to the original Renault 5 from the 1970s, makes it an instant conversation starter. Its launch color, yellow with black accents, is, as the author puts it, "legendary." Even someone who generally dislikes electric vehicles admits they would buy this car purely for pleasure. The design elevates it from a simple vehicle to a social phenomenon, grounded in a real, place-specific experience. The author drove 200 km in one day to test it, and the attention never let up.
Size Surprise: Not a Tiny City Car, It's Clio-Sized
The driver who spent a day with the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric reports it feels nearly as long as a Clio 5 and actually wider and taller. Official measurements, however, tell a slightly different story: the Renault 5 is shorter than the Clio 5, though it is a touch wider. The height difference between the two is marginal, barely noticeable in person.
Stand behind the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, and the rear trunk looks surprisingly large, "Whoa, this car's butt is that big?" one might say. The curb weight is another surprise: a Clio 5 tips the scales at about 1,200 kg, while the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric reportedly weighs in at 1.5 tons, largely due to the battery. According to official data, the actual curb weight varies from 1,350 kg to 1,500 kg depending on the battery size, so the 1.5-ton figure is plausible for the larger battery pack. The car's substantial tires and planted stance on the road inspire confidence, making it feel anything but small.
The Speed Limiter Shock: 150 km/h and Then… Nothing
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric's official top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h. The author of the original account recalls seeing 152 on the dial before the limiter kicked in, but that figure is unconfirmed. The emotional impact, however, is clear: a car that feels playful and responsive in city traffic suddenly reveals its electronic leash on the highway. For a driver used to conventional cars where you can nudge past the listed top speed, this feels like a betrayal. The author notes that after the cut, pushing the pedal further only drains the battery faster without adding speed. For a vehicle that otherwise charms with its retro looks and eager acceleration, this limiter stands out as the review's sharpest criticism.
Gear Selector Behind the Wheel: A Love-It-or-Hate-It Detail
The gear selector on the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric sits behind the steering wheel on the right side, exactly where you would expect a turn signal stalk, and it is a simple cylindrical stalk, not a Chanel lipstick design as some rumors claim. That "famous French lipstick" detail is incorrect; the selector is a straightforward column-mounted stalk, nothing more.
The author's sibling never got used to this placement. Even after several drives, her hand would instinctively drift toward the center console searching for a traditional shifter that simply was not there. The author himself did not search for it, but he admits the setup could confuse anyone expecting a conventional gear selector. It is one of those design choices that sparks strong opinions: you either adapt quickly or find yourself fumbling every time you shift between Drive and Reverse.
Contrary to the popular version suggesting a Chanel lipstick inspiration, the selector is purely functional, a clean, cylindrical stalk that does its job without fanfare. The myth likely arose from the car's French heritage and its playful design language, but the reality is far less glamorous. For some drivers, the column-mounted selector becomes second nature within a few trips; for others, like the author's sibling, it remains a persistent quirk that never quite clicks.
Torque, Comfort, and That Lumbar Support
The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric delivers instant torque that pins you to the seat, even with three people aboard, every press of the accelerator pushes you back. The steering wheel feel and road holding reminded me of the Citroën C3 Shine I drove before, with a similar confidence in corners and at speed. It rides on large wheels that plant it firmly, giving a settled, secure sensation on the motorway.
Then there's the lumbar support. It's not a massage function, just a simple button that fills the lower back area with a satisfying zort. Once you adjust it, you never want to go back. It makes long drives genuinely comfortable, and I'd argue every car should have this detail. For motor power, torque, and road holding, I give this car 5 stars in its category. The car was a finalist for the European Car of the Year award, but as of 2024, it has not won that prize.
European Car of the Year? Let's Check That
As of 2024, the Renault 5 E-Tech has not won the European Car of the Year award. The original author wraps up his glowing five-star review by pointing to this supposed honor as proof the car's quality is "no coincidence," but the facts tell a different story entirely. No such trophy sits on Renault's shelf for this model. The car was a finalist, a notable achievement in itself, but it did not take the top prize.
The European Car of the Year is a prestigious prize, judged by automotive journalists from across the continent. Winners include models like the 2024 Kia EV9 and the 2023 Jeep Avenger. The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, for all its retro charm and clever engineering, was a finalist but did not win. The author's enthusiasm is understandable, the car does turn heads, but that particular claim doesn't hold up to scrutiny. It's a small but significant error in an otherwise detailed personal account, one that matters for anyone considering a purchase based on accolades rather than just looks and feel.
Second Car Material, Not a First Choice
If the author had the budget, the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric would earn a spot in his garage, but only as a second car, never his primary daily driver. That personal preference has nothing to do with the car's quality; it's simply his own taste in vehicles. He would, however, happily take this electric hatchback on long road trips just for the sheer enjoyment of driving it.
Let's be clear about one thing: this is no toy. The author pushes back hard against anyone who dismisses the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric as a "battery-powered toy car." It feels solid, substantial, and high-quality in every detail. The build quality shines through whether you're gripping the steering wheel or just running your hand across the interior surfaces.
So where does that leave us? The Renault 5 E-Tech Electric is a niche pleasure machine, perfect for weekend getaways, errands around town, or that second spot in the driveway. It's not trying to be everyone's everything. And honestly, that's exactly what makes it special.
Editor’s note: Any facts that remain unconfirmed are presented as such, hedged where necessary.
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