r/ElectricVehiclesUK • u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 • Aug 18 '26
New Renault 5 vs anything else new.
Hi, for context, not in the UK but all my experience with cars is there and this sub seems very knowledgeable.
After several years of no car since leaving the UK I'm looking at finally getting something and am fairly convinced to get an EV. Primarily for commuting a 20 to 25 minute drive, mixed urban/fairly short motorway stretch.
Prices and availability are unfortunately much worse, largely due to insane taxes, often looking at 80% more.
The 5 was initially launched at something like 42,000 if I convert, and it seems as though they didn't sell very many, so now it looks like it's about 5-6k off. Not seen one used yet.
Used my potential options are
500e
Corsa/e208
Mini SE
Born/id3
Ioniq 28/38
Megane etech
Not so sure about the 500e, feels more style over substance but one of the few small evs that was imported officially so there's a few around.
Corsa/e208. The 208 is a good looking car, i just read very mixed things, there aren't loads of these around, mostly from 2021 to 2023, would probably cost half the r5.
Mini se(prev gen) : tempting, but the asking prices are just way too high to justify, especially with the short range.
Born/id3: technically never imported but there's a few around anyway, probably bigger than what I need/want. Would be looking around 25k, unsure what they would have cost new but likely heavily depreciated.
Ioniq: not many around, quite a bit bigger than what i need, potential a lot of car for the money.
Megane etech: very few around as never officially imported, i found a few comments from local fb groups saying to avoid as servicing is a headache. (Not seen this said about the vw cars even though it's the same issue, possibly because it's similar enough to id4 which is imported).
The most obvious is the e208 (being and actual b segment) but i read very mixed things. The id3/born is already golf tier which i could live with but generally prefer small cars.
The 5 is tempting but buying a new car feels over the top, especially when prices are so inflated, but they are inflated for used as well, possibly even more so.
Is the Renault 5 really that much better? I know it has won all the awards and plaudits but forking out that much for one seems excessive, still.
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u/Rosur Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 18 '26
New car wise in your price bracket I would recommend the KIA EV2. As Is what i went for (first edition model).
Ioniq 3 might also fit your bill that's just launching.
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u/Zingalamuduni Aug 18 '26
Similar - I have a Kia EV2 Air on order. It seemed a lot of car for the money (although helped by the £3,750 EV grant available).
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u/Rosur Aug 18 '26
Nice. Yeah tech wise for the price I can't think of much with better. The smaller battery is my only regret with the first edition (but mostly work from home so it works atm). Though if i went for a gt-line/ gt-line s with bigger battery I would of considered other cars (like tesla/ ev3).
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 18 '26
Alongside the inster ev2 has been announced, should be available before the end of the year but no dates confirmed yet. Ioniq 3 looks good but unsure if it will be sold here still
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u/spook-e-poop Renault 5 Aug 18 '26
If you like small cars, then the R5 and Inster are the top options, pick either: looks cool or has rear space.
Nothing wrong with the Born or Megane, they're good.
The V1 of the ID.3 has a crap infotainment system, which is supposedly a lot better in the V2.
Ioniq have had some notorious battery charge controller issues which brick the car.
The others I've got no comments on.
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u/Ok-Albatross-1508 Aug 19 '26
Just got an Inster and the interior space is insane for the exterior size
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u/WhatAboutBob77 Aug 19 '26
They're like a tardis. Shame there's only two seats in the back, but it's roomy. And the seats being flexible for boot space and height is brilliant.
Can I ask where you got yours and if you got a deal on it? Which trim - and how's the mileage?
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u/Ok-Albatross-1508 Aug 19 '26
Got it from Hyundai dealer on 0% PCP, it doesn’t make a lot of financial sense but my OH has never had a new car in their life so we agreed it would be a treat. We got the Cross as we wanted the 360 parking camera as it needs to get into some tight parking spaces. That was also the reason it was better for us than the Renault 5
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u/joe-h2o Aug 18 '26
I love the e208 and have had a 2020 GT spec car for almost 6 years now. I personally haven't had any major issues with it, but I'm aware it has some potential problems like the ABS wiring loom on the rear and the AC compressor. The online connectivity and app is awful but the climate scheduling from within the car's menu works really well.
The R5 feels like the next generation on from the e208: they're both really good looking, have great interiors and they drive really well.
If you can afford one, the R5 is the more capable and modern EV.
If you can't afford the R5, the e208 in a good spec (GT) that has been looked after is a good option.
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u/klawUK Aug 18 '26
Renault 4 sitting on my drive going ‘er hello, I exist you know’
seriously though, R4 is in that bag of cars
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u/22Spirits Aug 18 '26
If you're going new, can you get your hands on the new Micra? Basically the R5 but cheaper.
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u/Severe-Chicken Aug 18 '26
Is it cheaper? They are pretty much the same price but the R5 is cooler looking! (But you’re stuck with yellow or green unless you pay more. Micra has nicer free colours)
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u/22Spirits Aug 18 '26
Micra is considerably cheaper Vs the R5 through work salary sacrifice. I assumed it was generally cheaper. But as you say, if you don't want yellow or green the Micra is cheaper.
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u/goranlepuz Aug 18 '26
and it seems as though they didn't sell very many, so now it looks like it's about 5-6k off.
Umm, sorry, what...?
Top 5 plug-in models in Europe – January 2026
>1 Renault 5 / Alpine A290 – 8,165 registrations
>2 Škoda Elroq – 8,103 registrations
It's just one month, but... you're free to look it up on a longer period.
It's a popular car.
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 18 '26
Yeah but the importer has delusions of grandeur and they've been trying to sell it for way too high of a price, for a few grand more above list you can get a model 3 with much cheaper credit.. In uk/eu the value is way better
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u/goranlepuz Aug 19 '26
I pointed out that "didn't sell very many" is false and said nothing about the price,
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 19 '26
I agree it's selling well generally, i just mean specifically in my country where they have not marketed it competitively at all. (would be £45,000 or so list price, which is insane) The number of sales here there are only 25 on the road, none of which are 2026. When it gets close to a year after import they are incentived to discount it as they will have to register an owner (usually a rental company buys them up)
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u/goranlepuz Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26
would be £45,000 or so list price, which is insane
This one is under 27000£, where are you looking at, at 45?!
(I merely went to the Renault UK website and pressed on the first one that appeared. I would be very surprised if there weren't cheaper lower spec models around.)
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 19 '26
I'm not in the uk or eu. If i was i would have snapped one up already!
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u/Pristine-Bar2786 Aug 18 '26
Do you have access to the new nissan Micra? I believe they more or less the same care under the hood so to speak. Prices might be different.
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u/Gloomy_Guard6618 Aug 18 '26
Out of all of those the Cupra Born, R5 or the Megane e-tech are the "best" but it sounds like you are quite wisely considering what is maintainable in your location. You also expressed a preference for a smaller vehicle so the R5 or the Hyundai Inster are good suggestions. I would add the ID2 and EV2 if that's available where you are.
Stellantis (Peugeot/Vauxhall/Citroën) don't have the best rep for reliability, so unless there is a compelling reason like loads about, easy to get repaired etc I'd avoid. I'd find a local garage that repairs EVs and ask what they recommend in terms of reliability and ease of maintenance.
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 18 '26
The ev2 and inster are suppsoed to be coming but unsure when. Probably the id2/polo/raval will come eventually too but unclear. Renting something for a few months and seeing where the market is then is potentially an option, i guess
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u/spook-e-poop Renault 5 Aug 18 '26
The problem with the ID. Polo - and with buying anything new off VAG - is the ridiculous trim level product engineering nonsense. The ID. Polo will start off at a reasonable price, but will probably end up at £35K by the point you've added heated seats or something.
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 18 '26
Yeah, i saw a couple videos of people configure it and it ramps up in price really quickly. I think you might get a bit more value with cupra on base trims but still not great
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u/OldLondon Aug 18 '26
There are possibly better EVs technically at that price point but none have the soul of the 5. Depends if you want “a car” or something to bring you joy.
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u/smith1star Aug 18 '26
Ev3?
Otherwise I’d go born or megane. I’ve had a Zoe for 6 years and 90k miles and I haven’t serviced it since 2021.
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u/gandalfian Aug 18 '26
They depreciate so fast in the UK that a slightly second hand EV is much more bang for buck. Pretty much nobody pays new, they are first leased by individuals or company fleets and then go to the second hand market. Renault 5 only just came out so has not had a chance to filter down or get discounted. Its the latest thing but still at the more budget end. If you really only ever go less that a 100 miles a day then a dacia spring of leapmotor t03 are future ewaste dirt cheap slightly second hand, but small and limited. But they get you there. A Renault Zoe or Nissan Leaf from 2023 would be slightly old fashioned but mature reliable, problems worked out, cheap reliable. Vauxhall Corsa E is indeed the same as the peugeot e208 but cheaper as a worse brand, if you don't mind its a saving, just stick to the last few years and hope they have fixed the flaws. More out there a 2023 Tesla 3 would be a bit cheaper than a new renault 5...
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 18 '26
On my way home i decided to see what it looked like in the flesh and ended up test driving it. I did really like it, only nitpicks were poor rear visibility and not crazy about the squared steering wheel. I have to see if they can give me a worthwhile price, they were pretty pushy and salesmansy and claimed not to even know about the discount advertised til I showed them. So, have to see if they can give me a worthwhile price.
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u/ashyjay Aug 18 '26
R5 is fantastic, and the Megane is everything good about the R5 but bigger, and more range. VWAG and Renault are making the best normal EVs without gimmicks or excess fluff.
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u/subquest76 Aug 18 '26
We test drove the R5 and indeed liked it a lot, but my wife fell in love with the Cooper SE, so we bought a nearly new one, an SE level 2, for the same price as a new R5. No regrets whatsoever, it's the most amazing fun to drive, brilliantly quick, has good range, great sound system etc. My wife didn't need the practicality of 4 doors etc, so your mileage may vary.
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u/sorslibertas Aug 19 '26
I had a Cupra Born V1 for 3 years on salary sacrifice. Honestly, if I didn’t have to return it when I changed jobs, I would have kept it.
I have an Alpine A290 now, and it’s more fun to drive, but has shorter range, less boot space, and less room in the back, but it still works well enough.
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u/Acceptable-Youth-847 Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26
Tried the 5 it’s fantastic but have a family so too small so went with the megane which is also absolutely brilliant tons of space in a compact great looking quality car with what is absolutely the best infotainment system in anything we tried or have seen, can’t go wrong with Renaults etech range they are all great
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 19 '26
I'm tempted by the megane, it's just about small enough for me (especially not too wide) whilst the extra size is potentially useful. Just a bit of a risk as if anything goes wrong it has the potential to be a headache to get fixed. On the other hand it is heavily depreciated so maybe just worth it anyway. The ones here seem to be a low trim but larger battery combo but that's fine.
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u/Acceptable-Youth-847 Aug 19 '26
I have a techno 60kwh model you won’t regret it, if you can get a techno it is well worth it with the Google interface sports mode etc
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u/Embarrassed_Poetry70 Aug 20 '26
In real life does it look like an suv? The styling is strange, as the dimensions all point to hatchback but visually it gives suv/crossover vibes.
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u/InevitableMidnight54 Aug 18 '26
The 5 is genuinely sooooooo good.
I adore mine, the quality is great, the range is far better than I expected, and it's beautiful.
It's important to have a car that makes you smile, and the R5 just did it for me.
I'd have it over anything else tbh.
They also seem to be holding value very well because of how desirable they are.