What do you do when you’ve already created one of the world’s most recognized cars and need an EV in your line-up?

You dust-off your past, give it more panache and launch it to a world in need of joy.

Renault has created its own EV branch called Ampere; it’s best described in their own words:

The latest innovation coming from Renault is not a car,
it is a new model of car company.
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A model that will open a new chapter in our industry.
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Of course, it’s driven by tech with electric vehicles at its heart.
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But electric vehicles are not only about energy, power and traction.
They are about a complete new experience.
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Not only connected to the grid, but connected to life.
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Not only recycled materials, but building a circular economy that better serves people and planet.
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A complete eco-system, sustainable by nature,
with software and AI driving new customer journeys,
personalized to the full.
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A new model of car company is born today,
.with the spirit of the « voiture à vivre »
.and the French heritage of creativity in design and engineering.
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With Ampere, Renault Group integrates R&D, software, car and service design in one.
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Ampere is born today.
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Agile and young by nature with a century of know-how, ready to take the lead as a European champion.
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ELECTRIFYING THE AUTOMOBILE

The Renault 5 E-Tech is Renault’s modern electric take on the iconic R5 city car. It’s built on a new small-car EV platform with retro-inspired styling, compact dimensions, and a focus on everyday usability and fun driving dynamics. 

The 5 E-Tech’s Europe-focused launch mean that price and specs vary by market, but it is positioned to generally undercuts rivals like the Mini Electric and Peugeot e-208 while offering competitive range with the equipment you need.

Performance & Driving Experience

Motors:

Range (WLTP) is ~305 km (~190 mi) for the smaller battery and ~405 km (~250 mi) for the larger pack. These make it absolutely acceptable as a commuter.

Now, if you’re into blisteringly fast cars, keep your supercar. However, if you consider why the 5 E-Tech is purposed, 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) in ~8–9 seconds seems perfectly acceptable even brisk for the segment.  

This is a blast! Driving the 5 E-Tech yields peppy acceleration and agile handling, giving it a “go-kart-like” feel around town yet with enough composure on country roads. Ride comfort is generally good, though small bump impacts can be noticeable due to the short wheelbase. 

Charging is on point with up to 100 kW DC fast charging (~30 minutes takes you from 15 to 80% with the bigger battery) and 11 kW AC is standard on all trims. 

The 5 E-Tech’s interior is modern and well-equipped for the class

• Twin screens with Android Automotive OS + Google built-in, plus wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.  
• Simple climate controls and a comfortable driving position.  
• Cabin is relatively quiet, competitive with rivals.  

The trunk space is decent (~326 L), but if you’re hauling a couple of 6 footers, rear legroom is tighter than in larger hatchbacks. 

Safety

The Renault 5 scored a 4-star Euro NCAP safety rating with solid adult/child occupant scores and typical city-car safety tech (AEB, lane assist, cruise limiter, etc.). 

Pros

• Attractive retro-inspired design with modern flair.  
• Good all-round EV performance and handling for a small hatch.  
• Strong tech suite with Google services native.  
• Practical charging speeds and respectable real-world range.

Cons

• Rear passenger space and boot practicality limited by size.  
• Efficiency and real-world range can dip in colder or high-speed conditions — typical for small EVs.  
• Some reviewers note that driver aids and infotainment quirks (e.g., intrusive digital avatars or software issues) can be irksome.  
• Not yet long-term reliability data.  

The 2026 Renault 5 E-Tech punches above its weight as one of the most compelling small electric cars in Europe:

• Great blend of style, performance, and tech
• Real-world usability for daily driving
• Good value compared with many rivals
• Still carries typical city-car compromises in space and efficiency 

If you want a characterful, affordable EV with modern connectivity and enjoyable dynamics and you don’t need tons of rear-seat space, it’s one of the strongest options right now in its category. Le Car is now la voiture à vivre.

Oh, and it’s Car of the Year 2025.