A Modern Icon Reimagined for Urban Exploration
For over a decade, I’ve navigated the ever-evolving landscape of the automotive industry, witnessing firsthand the shifts in consumer desires and technological advancements. In this era of electrification, brands are rediscovering their heritage, breathing new life into beloved models with cutting-edge EV powertrains. Renault, a brand synonymous with French ingenuity and accessible motoring, has masterfully tapped into this trend. Following the triumphant return of the spirited Renault 5, they’ve now unveiled a reborn legend: the 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech Electric. This isn’t merely a nostalgia trip; it’s a meticulously crafted urban explorer, a charming and practical electric vehicle that you might not have realized you craved, but will soon find indispensable.
The automotive world in 2025 is abuzz with innovation, and Renault has positioned itself at the forefront. The initial reception to their retro-inspired electric vehicles has been overwhelmingly positive. The vibrant, characterful Renault 5 captured hearts and imaginations, while the sportier Alpine A290 offered a performance-oriented twist. Now, the Renault 4 E-Tech emerges, not just as a continuation of this strategy, but as a testament to Renault’s deep understanding of what makes a car truly connect with its owner. It’s a blend of cherished automotive history and the sophisticated technology that defines modern electric mobility.
Before this recent surge of retro-futuristic EVs, Renault’s lineup, while competent, lacked a certain spark. The brand’s pivot towards embracing its iconic past has proven to be a stroke of genius, propelling them forward with renewed vigor. The Renault 5, with its infectious personality, elicits genuine smiles from onlookers and an even greater sense of joy from those behind the wheel. The crucial question now is: can the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric replicate this magic? Based on my experience and the vehicle’s compelling proposition, the answer is a resounding yes.
A Legacy Reborn: The 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech Electric in Detail
The original Renault 4, a utilitarian workhorse that graced European roads from the early 1960s to the mid-1990s, was a symbol of practicality and affordability. It was a car that empowered ordinary people, facilitating their daily lives with unpretentious reliability. The 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech Electric pays homage to this spirit but reinvents it for the 21st century. Sharing its fundamental architecture with the acclaimed Renault 5, this new iteration sheds its internal combustion engine for a whisper-quiet, zero-emission electric powertrain.
The design language of the Renault 4 E-Tech thoughtfully references its illustrious predecessor. While it has been sensitively modernized and scaled up to accommodate contemporary safety features, battery technology, and passenger comfort, the core essence of the original remains. It might not possess the immediate visual drama of the Renault 5, but it exudes an undeniable, approachable charm. For those seeking a small, family-friendly electric vehicle that radiates personality and sparks a sense of delight upon approach, the Renault 4 E-Tech delivers. The thoughtful graphic elements, clever design cues, and that quintessential “Frenchness” combine to create a desirable package. In a world often dominated by anonymous automotive designs, the appeal of a car that offers a touch of nostalgia, a nod to simpler times, is profoundly resonant. This retro EV city car taps into a powerful emotional connection.
Renault’s commitment to simplicity is a welcome aspect of this new model. In the UK market, for instance, a singular powertrain is offered: a 52-kilowatt-hour battery feeding a 150-horsepower electric motor, delivering 181 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels. This setup propels the Renault 4 E-Tech from 0 to 62 mph in a relaxed 8.2 seconds, with a top speed of 93 mph. While not setting acceleration records, this performance is more than adequate for its intended purpose. Renault estimates a maximum range of 247 miles on a full charge, based on WLTP testing protocols.
Recognizing the inherent variability in real-world EV range, Renault has implemented an innovative “how far will I really go” tool on its website. This feature allows potential buyers to input their typical driving conditions, ambient temperatures, and usage of eco-modes to generate a more personalized and realistic range estimate. This transparency is a commendable initiative, setting a benchmark for the industry and ensuring that drivers have accurate expectations, rather than being surprised by range discrepancies, particularly during colder months or highway driving. This proactive approach to managing electric vehicle range anxiety is a significant plus.
For those concerned about charging times, the Renault 4 E-Tech features DC fast charging capability, capped at 100 kW. This is ample for a vehicle designed primarily for urban and suburban commuting. Renault claims a 15% to 80% charge can be achieved in approximately 30 minutes, a timeframe perfectly suited for a quick stop at a supermarket while running errands. This means you can plug in, complete your weekly shopping, and return to a substantially replenished battery.
Practicality is a cornerstone of the Renault 4’s heritage, and the Renault 4 E-Tech upholds this tradition. The cargo space offers 14.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place, expanding to a generous 49.6 cubic feet when they are folded down. The cabin is thoughtfully designed with numerous storage compartments and cubbies, providing ample space for everyday essentials. Even a pair of welcome cup holders are integrated into the center console, a small but significant detail for many drivers. This focus on practical city car features makes it a compelling choice for daily life.
The Driving Experience: Effortless Charm and Urban Agility
Stepping into the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric is an invitation to a more relaxed and enjoyable driving experience. The immediate impression is one of lightness and ease. There are no pretensions of sporty performance here, although a “Sport” mode is available for those seeking a slightly more dynamic feel. The controls are delightfully light, making maneuvering through urban environments an absolute breeze.
Engaging the “D” for Drive with a gentle touch of the accelerator pedal, the Renault 4 E-Tech glides away with a smooth, almost serene motion. In Comfort mode, the throttle response is eager enough to provide brisk acceleration for city driving, making you feel effortlessly mobile. For those prioritizing maximum range, Eco mode is available, though it slightly dulls the throttle response. While Eco mode is essential for longer journeys or when range is a concern, Comfort mode offers a perfectly balanced and engaging experience for typical city jaunts. For those who like to fine-tune their driving experience, a “Perso” (Personal) mode allows for individual calibration of various settings. This level of customizable driving experience is a subtle but appreciated feature.
The 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech Electric easily achieves and maintains local speed limits, with a polite chime reminding you if you stray too far above them. Like all modern vehicles, it is equipped with a suite of mandated active safety features that provide audible alerts. Thankfully, these can be readily deactivated, allowing for a more serene experience for those who prefer to manage their own awareness.
The car’s tall and relatively upright profile, while contributing to excellent visibility and ease of access, can mean it feels a bit slab-sided. However, its compact footprint and light steering make threading it through tight city streets and parking spaces surprisingly effortless. The glasshouse, while providing good all-around vision, is complemented by a standard reversing camera. While its resolution could be sharper, it effectively serves its purpose, assisting with low-speed maneuvers.
On the open road, the Renault 4 E-Tech performs admirably. It cruises comfortably at highway speeds, and despite its modest power figures, offers sufficient acceleration for safe overtaking of slower vehicles. While there is some wind noise at higher speeds, the cabin remains quiet enough to enjoy a podcast or engage in conversation without strain. In essence, this is a car designed to smooth out the everyday drudgery of commuting.
Even on winding country lanes, the Renault 4 E-Tech proves to be surprisingly enjoyable. Its modest power and immediate torque allow for effortless speed maintenance, enabling a fluid and enjoyable driving experience. The suspension is tuned for comfort, exhibiting a slight, predictable lean in corners, which adds to the car’s character rather than detracting from it. The steering remains light and responsive. Engaging Sport mode injects a bit more urgency, but the true charm lies in its effortless competence in Comfort mode. It offers a delightful balance of fun without being overtly performance-oriented, a rarity in today’s automotive market. This focus on fun yet practical driving is a key differentiator.
Beyond the drive modes, the Renault 4 E-Tech features adjustable regenerative braking, controlled via steering-wheel-mounted paddles. Drivers can dial in anything from minimal regeneration to full one-pedal driving. While experimenting with these settings can be entertaining, most drivers will likely settle into the convenience of one-pedal driving for their daily commutes.
The digital instrument cluster presents information clearly, with large, legible text displaying speed, drive mode, and remaining range. The 10.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen is equally intuitive and responsive, even to the lightest touch. Renault’s proprietary software is user-friendly, and seamless integration with Apple CarPlay adds further convenience. While essential climate controls feature physical buttons, the operation of the excellent heated seats is managed through the touchscreen, a minor concession in an otherwise well-thought-out interface.
What Shines and What Needs Polish
The Positives:
The sheer joy that the Renault 4 E-Tech Electric inspires is perhaps its most significant attribute. Renault’s latest EVs exude a lightheartedness that translates directly to the driving experience. While many manufacturers tout their vehicles as “joy machines,” the Renault 4 E-Tech genuinely delivers on this promise. Its understated approachability and its encouragement of relaxed driving are significant advantages.
The “non-sporty” nature of the 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech translates directly into a supremely comfortable ride. The pliant suspension absorbs road imperfections with ease, the seats provide excellent support without being restrictive, and the overall sensation is one of effortless gliding. Long stints in urban traffic become far less arduous, a crucial consideration given the car’s intended usage.
During cold weather testing, the Renault 5 exhibited a noticeable drop in range. However, the Renault 4 E-Tech demonstrated commendable resilience. Over mixed driving conditions, it achieved an efficiency of 3.6 miles per kWh, translating to a real-world range of approximately 187 miles – a far more modest reduction than anticipated. This improved cold-weather EV range is a testament to the platform’s refinement.
Areas for Improvement:
The column-mounted gear selector, while a piece of clever design, can occasionally be a source of frustration. Its operation mimics traditional automatic transmissions: foot on the brake, select Drive or Reverse, and proceed. However, if insufficient brake pressure is applied, even when stationary, the selector may refuse to engage the desired gear. Furthermore, in moments of inattention, a quick glance at the selected gear position is crucial. A failure to do so, combined with unintended throttle application, could result in unintended forward or backward motion, potentially leading to an unnerving situation. While user error is a factor, a slightly more forgiving mechanism could enhance its usability.
The mandatory active safety features, while legally required and beneficial for accident prevention, can at times be overly intrusive with their audible alerts. While the inclusion of a programmable hotkey on the steering wheel for quick deactivation is a welcome feature, it remains to be seen how many owners will consistently utilize this function. For the sake of driver sanity, one hopes they do.
The reversing camera, while a genuinely useful safety aid, suffers from a rather poor image quality. While it fulfills its primary function of detecting obstacles, the low resolution is noticeable and somewhat irksome, especially when compared to the high-definition displays found elsewhere in modern vehicles.
Pricing and The Final Verdict
While the Renault 5, with its smaller battery option, starts at a more accessible price point, the 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech Electric begins at approximately $35,668 (with UK pricing around £27,195). Higher trim levels, offering additional features and refinements, push the price closer to $40,914 (around £31,195). While the upper end of this spectrum might seem substantial for a small city car, the overall value proposition, considering its unique character and technological advancements, is compelling. Exploring the configurator on a relaxed Sunday morning is unlikely to induce sticker shock.
The Renault 4 E-Tech will not be for every driver. Its compact dimensions, modest range, and 100kW charging capability, while suitable for many, might not meet the demands of all users. However, for those seeking an exceptionally charming and practical electric city car, it represents a standout choice. It injects a much-needed dose of fun and personality into daily commuting, offering a refreshing alternative to the often bland offerings from other manufacturers.
For the individuals it is perfectly suited for, the 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech Electric will undoubtedly become an indispensable part of their lives, bringing a smile to their faces with every drive.
Are you ready to rediscover the joy of driving with a touch of iconic flair? Explore the all-new 2025 Renault 4 E-Tech Electric and schedule your test drive today to experience this retro-modern marvel firsthand.
