While the Renault 5 E-Tech is just making its first deliveries, its manufacturer is already reviving another of its iconic icons, the 4L. It’s also 100% electric and based on the same platform as the new R5, but the choice between the two models isn’t just about style. So let’s examine the various specific points that will allow you to choose between these new iterations of Renault 5 and Renault 4.
Renault 4 with crossover styling
Who would have thought that the Twingo and Clio, the successors to the R4 and R5/Superfive, would be back in the Renault catalogue? However, this is now the case as four city cars currently coexist in the range (the Twingo is only available from stock), Renault has opted to revive its R5 and its 4L. However, each model adopts a very precise positioning. The Renault 5 and Renault 4 E-Tech are available exclusively in electric versions, with Renault preferring to segment its range rather than offering battery versions of its thermal models.
But then how are the modern R5 and R4 different? Well first of all with their style, each paying tribute to very different models, but not only that. The Renault 4 E-Tech is thus larger than the R5, with a length of 4.14 meters compared to 3.92 meters. Also, the modern 4L takes on a crossover look with a longer body line than the R5. She is 1.57 meters tall, 7 cm taller than her younger sister.
However, the interior of both the models is very similar with a shared dashboard. Only the aesthetic elements will differentiate the two cars. We will have to wait to get more details about the Renault 4 e-Tech range to get an idea.
A much bigger and more practical trunk for 4L
With an 8cm increase in wheelbase, the Renault 4 E-Tech is more accommodating for its rear passengers than the Renault 5. The R4 performs better, though without being as welcoming as the Captur, which is even more spacious and offers a sliding bench seat.
In terms of the trunk, the Renault 5 also shows its limitations with a loading volume of only 277 l (VDA standard). The Renault 4 does much better with 375 l and its trunk is more practical, thanks to a very low and flush loading cell.
Equipment specific to both models
If we don’t yet know the exact list of equipment offered by the Renault 4 E-Tech electric, we already know that it will get some that the Renault 5 didn’t like. This is the case with the electric tailgate, an option that will be offered in the R4 catalog, but is logically absent from the R5. Similarly, Renault offered its latest 4L with an optional canvas sunroof, which is not currently available in the Renault 5 catalogue, it remains to be seen if this feature will stick with time. Both models will have different body colors available in the catalog and the Renault 4 will exclusively offer two-tone paint.
The R4 will be the only one to get a sunroof at the moment. © Les Numériques
The Renault 5, on the other hand, has dedicated equipment for this, with a display on the hood that allows you to see the battery’s charge level when plugged in. This is a nod to the air inlet that earlier Renault 5s had in the same location, hence its absence on the hood of the Renault 4 E-Tech.
The R5 has a charge indicator on the hood which the R4 does not. © Les Numériques
For the rest, the goods offered should be very similar. The screens are the same between the Renault 5 and Renault 4, with the high-end versions having a 10.1-inch panel behind the steering wheel and a 10-inch central touchscreen. The latter runs on Android Automotive OS and integrates ChatGPT via the Reno avatar.
A bit of autonomy in the Renault 5’s favor
The Renault 4 e-Tech uses the Renault 5’s AmpR Small platform as well as its two NMC lithium-ion batteries of 40 and 52 kWh. However, being a little bigger and heavier, the R4 should be used more and its claimed autonomy is therefore a little less. While the Renault 5 E-Tech claims up to 312 km WLTP autonomy in the urban autonomy version (40 kWh) and up to 410 km in the comfort autonomy version (52 kWh), the Renault 4 is satisfied with 300 and 400 km. It has to be. respectively, although these values need to be refined as the final approval of the model is not yet done. A fairly small difference, of course, but not entirely negligible.
As for the charging powers, they are the same between the two models, up to 80 kW of direct current with the smaller battery and 100 kW with the 52 kW Hpack. In alternating current, at least the high-end versions will get an 11 kW onboard charger, which will be the same between the R5 and R4.
On the engine side, the R4 range will be topped by the same 150 hp unit that equips the top version of the R5, but with performance that should be slightly revised downwards, mainly due to more mass. Also, we will have to wait for the first tests of the R4 to judge its road behavior, which may be more oriented towards comfort than the lower R5.
R5 is cheaper than R4.
While the earlier R4 and R5 coexisted in the Renault range for some time with more affordable prices for the former, it is now the R5 E-Tech that is the less expensive of the two. For good reason, the two models are as modern as each other, while the original R4’s design was older than the R5, which was released nearly ten years later. A higher price for the R4 is therefore permanent, as it is now positioned as the R5’s big brother.
The Renault 5 E-Tech is already on sale with prices between €27,990 and €35,490, excluding bonuses and options. However, it will be launched in the spring of 2025 in an entry-level version selling for less than €25,000.
The R4 will be more expensive with an entry ticket of less than €30,000. However, it will forego the smaller 75 hp engine offered by the entry-level R5 and will automatically be compatible with faster DC charging. For equivalent versions, the price difference between the R5 and R4 should be around €2,000.
For those waiting for a more affordable electric city car from Renault, you’ll have to wait until 2026 and the arrival of the new Tongo. It is inspired by the first generation of the model and will be launched for less than €20,000 excluding bonuses. It will be positioned below the R5 in the range as Renault’s new mini city car.
