Read Caroline’s Renault 4 review for everything you need to know about buying Renault’s new electric crossover in Ireland.
Renault is welcoming a new generation of icons back to the fold with the launch of the Renault 5 and the Renault 4. Both tap into Renault’s illustrious past in building iconic compact cars that were the staples of both European and Irish roads for decades.
The Renault 5 made a huge splash when it launched in 2025, securing the Irish Car of the Year title among many other awards, and now it’s the turn of the larger and arguably more useful Renault 4 remake.
It hit Irish roads in late 2025, and its larger footprint offers buyers more space and practicality than the diminutive 5. But still bundles of charm, with quirky retro-inspired looks and the choice of two battery sizes.
Let’s take a closer look.
Renault 4 Design
The new Renault 4 has chunky crossover looks and is just over four metres in length, sitting between the Clio and Captur. Renault has bestowed it with plenty of character inspired by the original. This can be seen in the quirky headlights and grille, now surrounded by a thin line of LED light for a modern appearance. The chunky bonnet features two vents like the original and the squared-off wheel arches give it a lot of attitude. The three-segment rear lights have a quaint retro vibe and the overall stance of the car does hark back to the classic Renault 4. It’s a brilliant design and looks chic just about everywhere.
What trim lines are available for the Renault 4?
In Ireland there are three: Evolution, Techno and Iconic. The standard wheel is an 18-inch steelie, while both the Techno and Iconic come with their own more attractive 18-inch alloy wheel design.
Single or two-tone paint options are available. There is even the option for a black painted bonnet. From summer 2026, buyers can tick the ‘plein sud’ option that adds a folding electric canvas roof.
Renault 4 Interior
Inside the Renault 4 is a brilliant mix of modern technology but also nice retro finishes like the upholsteries that do hark back to the 60’s original. In the Iconic version, this is a stylish grey houndstooth pattern. The roof is also embellished with a special retro-inspired design. It’s a car with plenty of character and design flair, making it one of the best interiors in the segment. The fit and finish is also very good.
Infotainment is looked after by a digital driver display and touchscreen that uses an excellent Google operating system on all but the entry level model.
There are a few quirks however. For a start, the area around the steering wheel is quite crowded with levers and stalks, which does make it clumsy at times to use. There’s also no P option on the gear selector, which seems like a strange omission. The resolution of the reversing camera is not amazing either.
The Iconic model is definitely worth the extra spend as it includes heated steering wheel and heated front seats. They all come with cruise control, parking camera, automatic climate control and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto. The mid-range Iconic adds things like the larger digital driver display, Google services, adaptive cruise control and wireless smartphone charging.
Renault 4 Practicality
Though built on the same platform, the Renault 4 sits on a longer wheelbase than the Renault 5. There’s a much bigger boot of 420 litres that compares well to rivals like the Ford Puma and Peugeot 2008. It’s very practical with a wide opening and exceptionally low loading sill. There’s no spare wheel included but there is some underfloor storage and top spec models get a powered bootlid.
The back feels less cramped than the Renault 5 but is still more suited to children than adults. There are Isofix points on the two outer seats and even the front passenger seat.
Renault 4 Battery and range
There are two battery options available though that’s linked to trim level. Entry-level Evolution models come with a 40kWh battery producing 120hp and around 300km of range. Techno and Iconic are available with a larger 52kWh battery that powers a 150hp electric motor and delivers up to 410km of driving range (WLTP), making it more useful overall.
Driving the Renault 4
On the road the Renault 4 immediately feels like one of the more premium offerings in the small SUV segment. The ride quality is excellent for a small car thanks to a multi-link rear suspension, while the sound insulation makes for an extremely quiet cabin.
The handling is good, with the Renault 4 turning well into corners. However, there’s not a huge amount of feel to the steering so it’s not quite as fun to drive as a Mini Aceman or Ford Puma Gen-E. But it beats both for ride comfort.
Renault has also introduced paddles for the regenerative braking behind the steering wheel, which are very simple to use. On full strength, it turns into a one pedal drive mode.
There are a few drive modes included also, but I found the Comfort mode met most of my needs. There’s 150hp available, with 0-100kmh in 9 seconds, but it’s very smooth and responsive to drive overall.
What’s the range of the Renault 4?
Like most of its rivals, the real world range is more modest than what the WLTP figures might suggest. I was driving the larger 52kWh battery version and here was my experience. Efficiency is okay, but I averaged 18.9kWh per 100 kilometres overall, which translates to real world range of about 275 kilometres during my cold weather test in December. This is a lot less than the WLTP figure for this battery (410km). Granted this did include some high speed motorway driving and consumption would likely improve in warmer weather. The Renault 4 is more efficient at speeds below 80km/h.
Again, it’s a car built for purpose as a small urban runaround that will work best for those who mostly charge at home and don’t do frequent motorway trips. The Renault 4 is no different to its rivals in this respect, like the Jeep Avenger, Ford Puma Gen-E and the Mini Aceman.
Renault 4 Charging
11kW AC charging is included as standard. DC fast charging is up to 100kW, which is quite standard for this size of car. It allows a 15–80% top-up in around 30 minutes. The 40kWh battery version reduces the DC charge rate to 80kW.
It also has vehicle to load capability so you can power other devices from the charge port using a special adaptor.
Renault 4 Price in Ireland
The range starts at €27,995 for the 40kWh battery in the entry level Evolution trim. Of more interest to Irish buyers will be the 52kWh battery that starts from €30,995 in the Evolution trim, from €32,995 in the Techno and from €34,995 for the Iconic like the model tested for this review.
Renault 4 Video Review
Renault 4 Verdict
The new Renault 4 feels like a very well-judged addition to Renault’s rapidly expanding electric line-up. It takes the charm and character that made the Renault 5 such a hit, wraps it in a more practical and versatile package, and delivers a small crossover that’s already one of the best of its kind. It’s comfortable and refined with one of the nicest interiors in the segment and a boot that makes it far more usable than many of its rivals.
While real-world range in my experience falls short of the official WLTP figures, this is a familiar compromise among rivals like the Ford Puma Gen-E and the Mini Aceman. But as a small, urban crossover or maybe a second car for a family, the Renault 4 is an absolute delight and one of best small electric SUVs on sale.
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year