Review: Renault 4
What is it?
Renault is expanding its range of EVs to make battery-powered motoring more accessible. After the success of the R5 and Scenic SUV, it seems that the French firm has got it right when it comes to electric motoring.
So, how do you improve on that success? Simple, bring back another famous name plate, and this time we see the Renault 4 return to our roads. It will be going up against some stiff competition such as the Volvo EX30 and Ford Puma Gen-E, when it goes on sale here in the UK later this year.
What’s new?
The original Renault 4 went out of production in 1992 and was a cheap and plucky little car that was designed to cope with hard city life.
This new car is completely different, but still harks back to that heritage with similar exterior design cues and a more practical interior layout than the new R5.
Under the bonnet, it comes with electric power only and sits on the same AmpR platform as its smaller sibling, too.
Also, Renault will offer the car with an electric canvas roof, called the ‘Plein Sud’, and is reminiscent of the old model’s pull-back fabric roof.
What’s under the bonnet?
There is only one choice of powertrain and that is a 52kWh battery pack with a single electric motor.
It produces a total of 152bhp and 245Nm of torque, while 0-60mph takes eight seconds and the top speed is just 93mph.
Renault claims that the car can travel up to 247 miles on a single charge and that 100kW DC rapid charging is compatible, taking the car from a 15 to 80 per cent top up in 30 minutes.
Other markets will also have the choice of a smaller 40kWh battery pack and electric motor that can do a claimed 186 miles between trips to the plug. If you’d like to find out more information about how you can get ready for home charging, get in touch today.
What’s it like to drive?
The driving characteristics of the R4 are very similar to the R5, but that’s no bad thing.
In urban environments, the car’s suspension is relatively composed over the bumps and the one-pedal function allows the regenerative braking to put power back into the battery when lifting off the accelerator.
The handling is neat and precise, although not the most dynamic in its class and there is limited body lean around the twisty bits.
The only issue would be the thick B-pillar and C-pillars can obscure your view when pulling out of side turnings, and the shallow rear window makes reversing a chore. Thankfully, our test car comes with a reversing camera as standard.
How does it look?
Just like the R5, this new car features lots of little details from the old model from yesteryear.
The three sculpted lines that run down the doors, flat front nose and single long lightbar all pay homage to the original, along with the three-part LED tail light and small C-pillar window that sits parallel above the wheel arch.
But, in keeping with the modern SUV theme, the car features roof rails and plastic wheel arch cladding to give it a more rough and ready look.
Our test car is finished off in Hauts-de-France Green paintwork, but you can get other vibrant colours such as Cumulus Blue and Carmine Red as well.
What’s it like inside?
The interior design is almost identical to that of the R5, with the dashboard and infotainment screen all angled towards the driver.
Renault still uses physical buttons for a majority of the car’s functions such as the climate control and on the steering wheel – great for user-friendliness.
Space in the back is good enough with acceptable headroom for average sized adults and a decent amount of legroom.
Open the boot and you’re greeted with a very low load lip and a total of 420 litres or 1,405 litres of space with the rear bench folded down. Additionally, there is a false floor which gives you an extra 55 litres of storage, which can easily swallow up the charging cables.
What’s the spec like?
Like with all Renaults, the R4 comes in three simple trim levels with Evolution, Techno and Iconic.
Although prices have not been revealed at this stage, we expect the entry-level car to start from around £27,000 and rise to £32,000 for the top-of-the-line model. We’re sure that we’ll be offering leasing options on the R4, so check out our guide to see how this payment option could work for you.
We’re driving the flagship Iconic, which boasts equipment such as heated front seats and steering wheel, a powered tailgate and blind-spot monitoring.
What’s more, all models come as standard with an energy-saving heat pump and a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, which enables electrical appliances to be plugged in using the car’s battery.
Verdict
There’s no doubt that the new R4 will be just as successful as the R5, because it offers retro looks, a decent driving experience and increased practicality.
Also, with its standard heat pump and vehicle-to-load (V2L) function, it makes it a very tempting proposition against the competition.
If you want an EV that has charm, chic and will potentially be competitively priced, then look no further than the Renault 4.
The new Renault 4 is set to arrive in the UK shortly but, if you can’t wait, we’ve currently got the Renault 5 and Megane available to check out today. Here at UK CarLine, we’re specialists in the very latest EVs, so check out our current range today or get in touch to find out more.
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