Renault’s best small cars of all time

Renault 5 (1972-1996)

The Renault 5 took the fundamentals that made the R4 such a success, and modernised them for the 1970s. And the 1980s. And the 1990s. The car was on sale for a whole 24 years, which proves that it had an enduring appeal that drew people into showrooms to buy one. It really established the supermini-hatchback segment, and major rivals didn’t come up with any sort of true competition for at least three years, which is partly why it was France’s top-selling car from 1972 to 1986.

Renault 5 managed to be both practical and usable, as well as chic and funky – so it attracted buyers from across the age spectrum. It also borrowed Renault 4 mechanicals, which meant it had soft, long-travel suspension, which made it comfortable on bumpy roads or longer journeys, while the compact dimensions made it nippy and nimble when dealing with the cut-and-thrust of city traffic. And it looked equally at home in a shopping centre car park or outside the trendiest nightspot. 

Early cars even looked interesting inside, with an unusual twist-and-pull gearlever that sprouted from the dashboard, although this was subsequently replaced with a more conventional floor-mounted arrangement.

Renault Clio (1990-1998)

Renault 5 was legendary, so developing a new supermini to replace it was a task that could undoubtedly be filed under “daunting”. But Renault absolutely nailed it with the first-generation Clio, which brought the manufacturer’s range fully up to date for the demands of the 1990s. It’s clear that Renault got the Clio very right indeed, and continues to do so, because it has gone on to become the biggest-selling French car of all time.

Clio actually used much of the R5’s underpinnings, including the chassis and suspension. However, the area where it was a notable advance over its predecessor was inside, because it had more space, even better-quality materials, and more standard equipment. 

It was also brilliant to drive, which, combined with the television ad campaign featuring “Papa and Nicole” (the 1990s equivalent of viral), helped to cement it as one of the most popular superminis of the day. And that trend continues today, with the current five-star-rated Clio being named What Car?’s Best Small Car to Drive in 2026, as it remains one of the biggest-selling superminis on the market. 

Renault Zoe (2012-2024)

As the electric-car market began to get under way, Renault was one of the first to lay down a marker, with a car that was typically stylish and attractive. The Zoe name had been seen on a number of concept cars throughout the early 2000s, but the finished supermini EV was a smart-looking hatch based on the fundamentals of the Renault Clio, which gave it a good base to start from. It was one of the first EVs on sale in the UK, and more importantly, one of the first that felt like a proper, well-sorted car rather than a gimmick. 

A number of different electric motors were offered throughout the car’s life, and a number of battery sizes, which meant that there was pretty much always a Zoe that would suit your needs. No wonder it was the biggest selling EV in Europe in 2015 and 2016, and the top-selling EV in France from 2013 until 2019. Importantly, the Zoe has given Renault more than 13 years of EV development experience, which leads us neatly on to… 

Renault 5 E-Tech electric (2024-)

When Renault unveiled Renault 5 E-Tech electric concept car back in 2022, it became immediately obvious that the car would be a smash hit. The world went wild for the cutting-edge tech shrouded in futuristic bodywork that paid homage to one of the world’s all-time favourite cars. 

And no wonder. Renault 5 is the first car to make use of the dedicated EV AmpR chassis, which makes it both compact and light – it’s less than four metres long and weighs less than 1500kg. There is a pair of powertrains available, with the larger-battery model offering a range of up to 250 miles1, while all models get air-conditioning, a heat pump and cruise control and the latest openR Link infotainment as standard. 

Moving up the range adds niceties – depending on trim –  such as adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera, heated seats and steering wheel, wireless phone charger and much more. Plus, you get Google built-in2, which means Google Maps is properly integrated with Renault 5, so it knows how much battery you’ll need for a journey and will automatically add a charging stop if you need it. Likewise, the Google Voice Assistant allows you to control features of the car, and you can download plenty of apps like Spotify, Prime Video and Waze. 

And of course, Renault 5 is highly competitive on price. As What Car? said: “The Renault 5 is a brilliant all-rounder that proves you don’t need to spend big money to go electric. And they’d know, because it was What Car?’s overall Car of the Year and Electric Car of the Year in 2025, and Small Electric Car of the Year in 2026.

Renault 4 E-Tech electric (2025-)

If you have a back catalogue as rich as Renault’s, it makes sense to use it. And so it is with Renault 4 E-Tech electric, a car that recalls everything that made its illustrious forebearer such an icon. As such, Renault 4 features not only the physical attributes such as practicality, convenience, and usability, but also what the original car represented: a sense of freedom and anticipation about the future. And whereas the original R5 used the underpinnings of the Renault 4 to great effect – this time around the R4 uses the electric drivetrain and chassis that first appeared in Renault 5 E-Tech electric. 

So R4 has efficiency and an enjoyable driving experience at its core, but adds the sort of passenger and boot space a family will need on a daily basis – it’s both practical and fun.

And the new plein sud® canvas roof model increase the enjoyment factor with their full-length fabric roof, something inspired by the retractable canvas roof on the original R4 back in the 1960s. A practical, efficient and genuinely exciting convertible – Renault 4 E-Tech electric does it all.

Renault Twingo E-Tech electric (2026-)

The original Renault Twingo was designed as a small, fun and nippy car that was completely at home in the city, and which looked funky and at ease while dealing with the urban mêlée. Step forward to 2026 and Renault Twingo E-Tech electric is a car with precisely the same ethos, just with the efficiency and eco-friendliness of an electric drivetrain.

Fun is still at the heart of Twingo. The design itself is centred around playfulness, and you can see that in neat little details throughout Twingo’s styling, such as the quirky typography in the car’s headlining, and the fun mix of bold colours. In fact, the design team affectionately named Twingo as ‘Le Frog’, owing to its uncanny resemblance in green.   

That theme continues in the way Twingo drives. The 80bhp electric motor provides the sort of sparkling city performance that will make any driver break into a grin, and the official range of up to 163 miles1 means there’s more than enough battery power to cope with a week of city commuting. And if you do need to charge, a 10-80% top-up takes just 30 minutes.3

Talking of the city, Twingo revels in it. It’s just 3.79 metres long, so can fit into the smallest of parking spaces, and has the sort of light steering and tight turning circle that allow it to run rings around anything short of a Brompton.

And finally, a price that will be less than £20,000 means Renault Twingo E-Tech electric is an enviable bargain. Add in the timeless, cute looks and it’s a city car that will tug at the heart strings, not the purse strings.

Those who want to be first in line for Renault Twingo E-Tech electric can pick up the Twingo R Pass for just £100. The Twingo R Pass lets you be amongst the first to order and receive Twingo E-Tech electric, plus you get a 1:43 scale model of Twingo and a green Twingo hands-free key card holder. 

Learn more about Twingo R Pass

A new golden generation of compact cars 

With new Renault Twingo, Renault 5 and Renault 4 E-Tech electric models, Renault continues to prove that it understands the recipe for the perfect small car. By smartly using its rich heritage to inspire its future, the brand has created an electric lineup that captures the same spirit of freedom, fun, and practicality as its original pioneering models. Whether it's the award-winning city charm of Renault 5 E-Tech electric, the versatility of Renault 4 E-Tech electric, or the playfulness of Twingo E-Tech electric, one thing is clear – Renault’s golden age of the small car isn't limited to nostalgia, it’s been re-energised for a new generation.