‘I drove Car of the Year winner and it’s a serious | Tech News

China is coming, that’s a certainty. Brands akin to BYD, Jaecoo, Omoda and Chery look set to take over the electric car scene in the subsequent half a decade which can depart conventional Western manufacturers preventing to remain related. Renault might properly change into Europe’s flag bearer in the struggle towards China with their Renault 4 and Renault 5 fashions amongst the flagship merchandise of the final 12 months. 

It’s not day by day you get a likelihood to get behind the wheel of a car of the yr winner, not to mention a model that has scooped more prizes than most. The Renault 4 E-Tech is Parker’s 2026 Best Family Car, with AutoSpecific naming it the small SUV of the yr. Even Top Gear bought in on the act, hailing the model as the best EV and prime compact car of 2025. 

Exterior 

To be sincere, I a lot choose the plucky scorching hatch exterior provided by the Renault 5. It’s sportier, more interesting, and makes me need to open the doorways, bounce in and activate the ignition.

That’s to not say the Renault 4 isn’t fashionable, however the boxier look  isn’t as more likely to catch eyeballs when cruising round your housing property. 

The Renault 4 is round 22cm longer and 8cm taller than the 5, with a bigger 2.62-metre wheelbase. 

As we are going to see, the sensible B-segment crossover design has its advantages the place inside space is anxious and the additional room makes it higher for these with households.

One factor Renault has finished is retained what made the 4 immense, retro styling. The new 4 E-Tech is a clear successor to the Nineteen Sixties basic which is a notable design nod to the French producer. 

Cost 

The Renault 4 is now positioned as one of the more reasonably priced choices for EV possession in the UK, with the model qualifying for the Government’s Electric Car grant.

The car secures the most £3.750 discount, that means model new fashions may be picked up for simply £23,445.

Some second-hand fashions with restricted mileage are filtering onto online marketplaces, however these are nonetheless valued at above £20,000.

However, finance offers might be the simplest way motorists can get their fingers on a model with out a hefty initial investment. Two-year 0% APR PCP offers can be found for round £210 per 30 days which can be within touching distance for a lot of budgets. 

China is the largest menace with fashions akin to the BYD Dolphin Surf obtainable for round £18,000. But Chiense crossovers aren’t as low-cost, with the Omoda 5 equally priced to the Renault at slightly below £23,000.

Performance 

Pulling away, it’s fast to see why the Renault 4 has endeared itself as one of the standout EVs of the period. Immediately, I’m impressed by the model’s exact, clean steering, with the model selecting up grip in high-speed cornering with ease. 

As a crossover SUV, the Renault 4 just isn’t constructed for out-and-out efficiency. But, this does not imply the back finish would not choose up whenever you put your foot down. The 4 continues to be fitted with a 148bhp electric motor and a 52kWh battery, reaching 0-62mph in simply over eight seconds and a prime velocity of 93mph. 

Electrics are all about vary, and the Renail 4 doesn’t disappoint, offering round 247 miles on a single charge. This places it in the identical area as the barely more costly Ford Puma Gen-E and Vauxhall Mokka Electric, one other tick or Renault. 

The car can also be succesful of 100kW DC fast charging that may top-up the battery from 15-80% in simply half-hour. Another standout characteristic of the 4 is its regenerative braking system, whereas motorists are additionally capable of control the car by adjusting their foot actions on only one pedal. 

Interior 

Inside, the Renault 4 is spacious, fashionable and packed full of technology, with the spectacular boot a standout characteristic when in comparison with the Renault 5. The 4 E-Tech has round 420 litres of boot space, round 90 to 100 litres more than provided in the smaller 5. 

The car can also be fitted with an spectacular 55-litre underfloor compartment in the boot to neatly pack away any charging cables. The car is provided with a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple Car Play and Android Auto obtainable as normal, though the digital screen was a tad laggy. 

The Renault 4 additionally advantages from Vehicle to load (V2L), permitting homeowners to plug in and use any three-pin equipment and even charge different electric vehicles close by. I additionally discovered the car’s necessary velocity help device much less distracting than many autos on the market. 

Instead of a loud alert that leaves motorists surprised into confusion as they desperately search round the cockpit for clues on how to cancel, the 4’s is a quieter and unobtrusive beep. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Renault 4 is an spectacular crossover that’s sure to be at the prime of many buying lists in 2026. The model is a more versatile all-rounder when in comparison with its sister Renault 5, even when the hatchback is the sexier of the pair. 

The Renault 4 advantages from a lot of what makes the Renault 5 great, whereas offering 420 litres of boot space for additional practicality for households. The Renault 4’s spectacular vary at a decrease upfront price than its phase rivals additionally stands out and is sure to make the model appeal to consideration at forecourts.

Smooth steering and comfy handling full a model that has absolutely justified its place amongst 2026’s most sought-after vehicles and provides serious competitors to finances manufacturers from China.