The decision to reboot one of Renault’s most iconic models has gone down a storm since the R5’s arrival. Our man Al Suttie gives his verdict on the retro-inspired electric supermini.

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Renault 5 Iconic 150hp

List price (BiK): £28,940 (3%)   Economy: 251 miles   Test efficiency: 193 miles

Monday

If the Alpine A290 recently tested is the hot hatch end of the scale, this week’s Renault 5 resides on the more affordable and sensible side of the street. That doesn’t mean it’s dull, especially with the £1,200 optional Pop Yellow paint and black roof of this car that lends it a cheeky, bright appearance that is entirely in character with a small car and its retro looks.

Tuesday

The retro styling of the Renault 5 is more than just a few bits and pieces. Unlike a Ford Mustang Mach-E that makes do with some pastiche lights, this French machine really looks like it’s a proper descendant of the car it takes its name from. This is evident from the number of none-car people who have already commented on what a cute car the 5 is, and some even called it Super Cinq.

Wednesday

The interior of the 5 is just as appealing as the exterior when it comes to the design. Comfortable front seats offer more support than their shape might suggest and the dash layout combines old school charm with modern tech. I’m also impressed at the way Renault has set the main dash display into the dash, rather than lazily leaving it as a free-standing screen as so many others now do.

Thursday

With the more powerful 150hp motor in this Iconic spec car, the 5 is no slouch when accelerating. It’s as much as you need in normal driving and, better still, it doesn’t suck the power from the battery at the same greedy rate as the Alpine A290. Renault claims a range of 251 miles, though in chilly, wet Scotland that’s proving more like 190 miles or so on a full charge.

Friday

As a supermini, and a car most of us will use as a runabout or second vehicle, the Renault 5’s range is proving much less of a talking point than with some other EVs I’ve tried recently. Expectation plays a big part in this, but also recharging the Renault doesn’t take very long, so I don’t mind hooking it up to the National Grid so much as with others that take lengthier times to charge.

Saturday

Where the Alpine A290 has a hot hatch firmness to its suspension, the Renault 5 on its 18-inch alloy wheels enjoys a much more supple degree of absorption. On the ravaged roads round my way, it never put a tyre wrong, which made it a more pleasant and appealing everyday car than its quicker cousin. Put a bigger battery for more range in the 5 and I’d happily use it for big drives.

Sunday

Fair to say, I’m rather smitten with the Renault 5, though there are a couple of small bugbears. First is the column-mounted gear selector – why didn’t Renault stick with the same set-up as in the Alpine that is much more intuitive? Second is a little wind rustle from around the driver’s window, but it’s not a deal breaker in a car this much fun and entertaining that also comes with low fleet costs.