2025 Renault R4 E-Tech

If the Renault R5 is Renault's retro-electric statement, then the new R4 E-Tech feels like the mature, refined big brother. Yes, on paper they look alike, but in practice the differences are too big to ignore. For us the R4 is not a better R5. But it may well be the most complete of the two. And more than that: a serious contender for Car of the Year 2026.

Design and personalisation: retro with grown-up stature

The R4 carries classic influences into the future, but does so in a way that is considered and modern. Where the R5 is rather compact and playful, the R4 feels sturdier and more rational. It builds on the iconic DNA of the original Renault 4, but with an EV heart, modern lines and a clearer space profile.

Personalisation? Renault has gone all out. For the bonnet you can choose options in contrasting colours (such as black), something the R5 does not offer. That way you put your own stamp on the R4, exactly what we like. In the configurator you find different versions and colours, and you notice that Renault did not simply take retro, but wanted to rethink retro.

Interior and ease of use: logical, roomy and smart

Get in and you immediately notice how logical everything feels. The dashboard is clean and well laid out, the centre tunnel is low, the controls are intuitive, exactly what you hope for in a modern EV with a classic twist. What we especially appreciate: annoying beeps can be switched off in two clicks. A small detail, but a big difference in ease of use.

The finish: solid. Materials feel high quality, none of the cheap plastic feel you sometimes find in EVs. And Renault has done good work on ergonomics. The driving position feels familiar but not subdued, and the rear bench offers surprisingly generous legroom.

Driving profile: one-pedal with fine control

One of the R4's biggest strengths is the fine grading of regeneration. Renault gives you four levels via paddles on the wheel, instead of the simplistic D/B setting you find in some smaller EVs.

What that gives you: One-Pedal Drive that is not only usable but genuinely calming. You can consciously choose how much energy you recover, whether you are in city traffic or on a quiet road. That control gives you confidence, makes driving calmer and gives you just that bit of extra connection with the car.

Space and practical use

Space is where the R4 really scores against the R5. At 4.14 m long it offers a surprisingly roomy interior. The boot, at 420 litres, is impressively large for this segment and the load sill is extremely low (just 60.7 cm), which makes loading and unloading child's play. Combine that with the ability to fold the passenger seat and rear bench, and you have a load length of up to 2.20 metres.

That makes the R4 particularly usable: groceries, weekend gear, long items, it all fits. No hassle, no cramped load space: this is retro that is functional.

Technology and versions: two batteries, plenty of options

Renault offers the R4 in two different EV versions:

• EV40 / 120 hp

  • 40 kWh battery

  • WLTP range: around 308 km

  • 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds

  • Consumption around 14.6 kWh / 100 km

• EV52 / 150 hp

  • 52 kWh battery

  • WLTP range: 409 km

Thanks to those two options you can choose whether you aim more at urban use or at range, and Renault makes that possible cleverly within one model.

Price and value: more car for your money

Our aforementioned configuration (fully equipped) cost us just under €40,000 (incl. VAT), which made it only slightly more expensive than the R5 version we tested earlier. That price difference seems small, but where the R4 really wins is in usability and space.

The entry version (EV40) already starts at €30,100 (incl. VAT) in Europe. For that price you get a fully fledged EV with retro charm, modern EV technology and surprising load and charging capability. For those who want a bit more (EV52), there is also the bigger battery with more range, and that makes the R4 very competitive.

Car of the Year 2026: a genuine contender

In my eyes the Renault R4 is a worthy candidate (perhaps even winner) for Car of the Year 2026. Why?

• It combines retro design with modern EV technology in a way that feels authentic, not contrived.

• The practical usability (big boot, low load sill) makes it relevant for daily use, not just for nostalgia lovers.

• The choice between two batteries offers flexibility you do not always see with rivals.

• Its value for money is excellent: relatively affordable for what you get, certainly in the EV world.

• The paddle-controlled regeneration adds driving pleasure, something you do not always expect in city EVs.

AutoNext Verdict

The Renault R4 E-Tech Electric is, in our eyes, more than just a retro wink. It is a well-considered EV for the modern driver: practical, charming, efficient and versatile. The R4 literally offers space, not only in the boot, but also for your wishes, your family, your hobbies.

Yes, the R5 remains an icon. But the R4? It may well be the smart choice. More interior space, better regeneration, a big boot, subtle personalisation and still that nostalgic heart.

For us: the R4 deserves all the praise. It is not an exactly improved R5, it is something else, something more grown-up, something roomier. And that is precisely where Renault wants to score with it: between retro love and realistic EV use.

If I were voting for Car of the Year 2026, the R4 would certainly get my vote. Rightly so.