Some cars get a remake; this one gets a resurrection. The Renault 4 that put France on wheels in the 1960s is back – as an electric crossover with a canvas roof option, a glowing grille and a boot that embarrasses bigger rivals. The nostalgia is laid on thick, but underneath sits the same thoroughly modern hardware that made the Renault 5 such a hit.

Design and cabin: retro without the museum dust

The Renault 4 E-Tech electric rides on the AmpR Small platform, Renault’s dedicated small-EV architecture, and is assembled in France at the Maubeuge plant. At around 4.14 metres long with a 2,624 mm wheelbase it is noticeably bigger than the R5, aiming squarely at the heart of the B-SUV class. Up front, a one-piece illuminated grille with a ‘floating’ logo is billed by Renault as an industry first. And then there’s the option that will raise the most smiles: ‘Plein Sud’, an electrically operated folding canvas roof that nods to the original’s free spirit.

Inside, the digital layout will be familiar to R5 owners. Higher trims get the OpenR Link system with built-in Google services on a 10-inch screen, plus Reno, Renault’s virtual assistant with ChatGPT integration. The entry trim makes do with a 7-inch driver display and smartphone mirroring.

Renault 4 E-Tech electric exterior — Photo: Renault (Renault Group)

Batteries, range and charging

Two batteries are on offer. The entry car pairs a 40 kWh pack with a 120 hp (225 Nm) motor, with Renault quoting around 300 km WLTP and DC charging at up to 80 kW. The one to look at is the 52 kWh version: 150 hp (110 kW), 245 Nm and up to 409 km WLTP. It accepts up to 100 kW DC and goes from 15 to 80% in around 30 minutes, while the on-board AC charger is rated at 11 kW. Top speed is 150 km/h, and Renault Switzerland lists 0-100 km/h in 8.5 seconds for the more powerful car.

On paper these aren’t class-leading figures, but they land exactly where they need to: enough range for real daily life and quick enough charging for the weekend escape. A neat extra is V2L at 3.7 kW, which turns the car into a power source for a laptop, a cool box or an e-bike.

The electric Renault 4 E-Tech — Photo: Renault (Renault Group)

Practicality: the ace up its sleeve

If the R5 is the heart, the R4 is the head. The boot holds 420 litres with the seats up and 1,405 litres folded – numbers that shame plenty of larger crossovers. Renault lists up to 28 driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise and blind-spot warning, while upper trims add heated seats and steering wheel, Harman Kardon audio and a powered hands-free tailgate.

Prices and who it’s for

In Germany, prices start at €29,500 for the Evolution with the 40 kWh battery. The Techno with 52 kWh starts at €34,500 and the Iconic at €36,500, while the ‘Plein Sud’ canvas-roof versions start at €36,300 (Techno) and €38,300 (Iconic). In the UK, the R4 is listed from £23,445 including the government’s Electric Car Grant. That puts it right among the new wave of affordable electric crossovers, from the Volkswagen ID. Cross to the Ford Puma Gen-E.

Who should look at one? Families who want a single electric car for the school run and the weekend, without giving up on character. The R4 isn’t the quickest or the longest-legged car in its class, but on paper its blend of space, sensible charging speeds and sheer charm is hard to argue with.