What is it?
There’s no denying the smash-hit success of the Renault 5. Encapsulating the retro-infused look and compact dimensions that many EV buyers are after, it’s now becoming quite a common sight on the UK’s roads. But one area where the 5 struggled was practicality. It’s something set to be addressed by this car – the Renault 4.
Arriving as a more practical option – but with a similarly style-conscious approach as its smaller brother – it could be the best of both worlds. But is that the case? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
Fundamentally, the Renault 4 and 5 are very similar underneath, but whereas the 5 has a more compact take on things, the 4 aims to be a little more user-friendly for those who need extra space. There’s extra room for those sitting in the back – the 5’s rear-seat legroom is almost non-existent – while the 420-litre boot that you get in the 4 trumps the 5’s 326-litre boot by some margin.
But as with the 5, you can still get the 4 in a great range of colours and with a heap of personalisation options. Shortly, a clever ‘Plein Sud’ model will join the ranks, bringing a full-length retractable cloth roof that’ll open the car’s cabin up to the sunshine.
What’s under the bonnet?
The Renault 4 uses a front-mounted electric motor, which brings 148bhp and 245Nm of torque. With a 0-60mph time of 8.3 seconds and a top speed of 93mph, it’s certainly not the speediest of cars – particularly in the world of spaceship-like EVs – but it’s more than enough for most occasions.
Renault claims a full range of up to 247 miles from a full charge and, with a top-whack charging speed of 100kW, you should be able to manage a 15 to 80 per cent top-up in around half an hour. Around seven hours should be enough to fully charge the Renault 4 when you’re using a standard 7.4kW home charger, too.
What’s it like to drive?
The Renault 4 offers an easy-going driving style that’ll be great for those spending their time around town or venturing further afield. With light steering, it’s ideal for nipping in and out of traffic, while this attribute also makes parking simple – though the low-res reversing camera seems a little dated.
As with the Renault 5, the 4 can struggle with traction through the front wheels and tends to go a little light at the nose when accelerating hard, but play it safe and this car is easy to pootle about in. We do wish that Renault would simplify the stalks on the steering wheel; with three of them, it’s far too easy to activate the wipers when you’re actually looking for reverse on the column-mounted gear selector.
How does it look?
We can’t fault the way the Renault 4 looks. To our eyes, at least, it does a great job of bringing some of the feel of the classic original while still keeping things modern. The singular piece of clear plastic underneath which the headlights are placed gives a clean look and around the back the long, sloping tailgate mimics that of its predecessor well.
As mentioned, there are plenty of colours to choose from. Our test car came in a standard black colour, which, unfortunately, hid some of the 4’s cool-looking styling elements away.
What’s it like inside?
Obviously, space is a big factor inside the Renault 4. The boot is reasonably large and accessible, helped no end by the large tailgate which opens to reveal a square opening which allows you to take larger items than you’d expect. You can fold the rear seats down, but they don’t go flat and instead leave quite a large ‘step’ that you have to angle objects over.
Elsewhere, things are good and while some plastics do feel a little cheap, they’re hard-wearing and tie into the car’s usable ethos. The seats themselves are comfortable and well-padded, too, with a decent level of manual adjustment.
What’s the spec like?
The Renault 4 has recently received the government’s electric car grant, which has seen its starting price drop from £26,995 ($36,420) to £25,495 after the £1,500 saving has been applied. That’s good news as it makes the 4 even more tempting, considering you get a 10.4-inch infotainment system, 18-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels and climate control on base models.
Range-topping Techno versions start from £29,495 after the grant has been applied, with these versions getting pre-conditioning to make charging more efficient and cool-looking houndstooth upholstery. In truth, however, the base model will provide more than enough equipment for most people.
Verdict
The Renault 4 feels like the kind of electric car that’ll quite happily replace a traditional petrol or diesel-powered hatchback. It’s got more than enough range for most occasions and has a boot that’ll make it easier to live with for families or bigger groups.
Now even cheaper thanks to the electric car grant, the Renault 4 feels like a car which could eclipse the 5’s success.
Comments