Renault continues its vibrant resurgence in the electric vehicle market with the revival of another beloved classic — the Renault 4. Following the success of the retro-inspired Renault 5 and the sporty Alpine A290, the new Renault 4 brings back memories of simple, practical motoring but now with cutting-edge EV technology. It’s an evocative blend of nostalgia and innovation that aims squarely at drivers who value happiness and ease over pure performance.

Looking Back to Move Forward

Through much of the late 20th century, the original Renault 4 was a symbol of everyday motoring across France and beyond. Introduced in the early 1960s, it offered affordability, practicality, and durability for millions. Rather than chasing luxury or speed, it emphasized accessibility and usefulness — traits that resonated deeply with drivers in postwar Europe. The reborn 2025 Renault 4 preserves that charm but reimagines it for an electric age.

Built on the same platform as the acclaimed Renault 5 EV, the modern 4 takes on a more upright shape reminiscent of its boxy forebear. While still compact, it’s slightly larger to accommodate today’s needs: lithium-ion batteries, safety systems, and greater occupant comfort. Despite that, the new 4 never loses its cheerful look — it’s purposefully cute, full of quirky design cues, and proudly French in attitude.

Electric Power, Simple Pleasure

Underneath its nostalgic skin lies thoroughly modern power. The Renault 4 comes with a 52 kWh battery feeding a 150-horsepower electric motor that drives the front wheels. Performance figures are modest: 0 to 62 mph in around 8.2 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph. It’s no rocket, but that’s entirely the point. This is an EV engineered for urban life, not for racetracks or bragging rights. With an estimated 247 miles of range on the WLTP cycle, it has enough stamina for daily commutes, weekend errands, and leisurely countryside jaunts.

Real-world range can fluctuate depending on driving style, climate, and use of climate control — and Renault smartly acknowledges this by offering an online tool that estimates your real-world range depending on trip conditions. It’s a refreshing level of honesty in a marketplace where range anxiety still hovers over EV buyers.

Charging speeds are sensible too. The 4 supports up to 100 kW DC fast charging, allowing the battery to go from 15% to 80% in roughly 30 minutes. That’s about the time it takes to finish a supermarket run or grab a coffee on a long trip. For the intended audience — families and city dwellers who’ll plug in at home or public chargers — it’s an ideal balance of convenience and practicality.

Small Enough to Fit Life’s Gaps

Inside, the Renault 4 continues the theme of simplicity and happiness. Space is well used — 14.8 cubic feet of trunk room with the rear seats up expands to nearly 50 cubic feet with them folded flat. Numerous storage compartments ensure that daily clutter doesn’t turn into chaos. Even details like matching cup holders and clever cubbies reflect Renault’s understanding of real-world life.

On the road, the driving experience is light-hearted but composed. The steering is effortless, visibility is mostly good (despite a rather tiny rear window), and the suspension delivers a soft, comfortable ride. There’s little in the way of aggressive dynamics, but for zipping through city streets or meandering around the suburbs, the Renault 4 feels perfectly tuned. Drivers can toggle between Comfort, Eco, and Sport modes — as well as a customizable “Perso” mode — to tailor their experience. Paddle shifters adjust regenerative braking levels, including a full one-pedal mode for intuitive urban driving.

Friendly Tech, Quirky Personality

Renault hasn’t gone overboard with technology. The dashboard features a clear digital display showing speed, remaining range, and drive settings, paired with a 10.3-inch central touchscreen running intuitive software. It supports both Apple CarPlay and native Renault functions, and many climate and convenience features are just a single tap away. Touch sensitivity is solid, and key functions like temperature controls remain partially physical — a welcome move for anyone fed up with deep menu diving.

Not everything is perfect. The reversing camera suffers from low resolution, and the safety assistance systems emit an overabundance of alerts and beeps. Thankfully, most of them can be switched off easily through the steering wheel shortcuts. Still, the 4’s general user-friendliness outweighs its few frustrations. It’s built to remove stress rather than add it.

Value and Verdict

Prices in the UK start at around £27,195 ($35,668), rising to roughly £31,195 ($40,914) for higher trims. That slots the 4 just above the smaller Renault 5 EV, but comfortably within reach of anyone shopping for a distinctively designed, accessible electric runabout. The charging specs, size, and performance don’t aim to reinvent mobility — they simply make electric driving feel joyful, human, and fuss-free.

So, who is the Renault 4 for? It’s for drivers who want something stylish, compact, and easy to live with. It’s for people fed up with the seriousness of modern car marketing. With its mix of comfort, nostalgic personality, and sensible numbers, the Renault 4 brings something rare to the electric age: happiness. Not adrenaline, not luxury — just the blissful feeling of hopping in, pressing a button, and gliding through life with a grin.

In an era where most cars strive to be faster, smarter, and more complicated, Renault’s latest EV reminds us that sometimes the biggest innovation is rediscovering simple joy.