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Dacia Spring vs Renault 5
Selected trimExpression Electric 70Change trim139 mi · 24 kWh · £11,990
Selected trimEvolutionChange trim191 mi · 40 kWh · £22,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Dacia Spring leads on running costs and city driving, while the Renault 5 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Dacia Spring if...
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.7p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Renault 5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault 5 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueRenault
Dacia
4.9
Renault
6
Motorway RangeRenault
Dacia
3.3
Renault
4.2
FamilyRenault
Dacia
2.8
Renault
5.9
Charging
Dacia
3.5
Renault
3.5
Too close to call
Cost Per MileDacia
Dacia
9.5
Renault
8.8
City DrivingDacia
Dacia
9.7
Renault
8.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £11,990 (better) | £22,995 |
| Official range | 139 miles | 191 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 308 L | 326 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min (better) | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Dacia Spring
Renault 5
Length
Dacia Spring3,701mm-221mm
Renault 53,922mm
Width
Dacia Spring1,583mm-225mm
Renault 51,808mm
Height
Dacia Spring1,489mm-9mm
Renault 51,498mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,701 mm | 3,922 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,583 mm (better) | 1,808 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,767 mm (better) | 2,020 mm |
| Height | 1,489 mm | 1,498 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.6 m (better) | 10.3 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 817 mm spare (better) | 592 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Boot space (seats up) | 308 L | 326 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1004 L | 1106 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Dacia Spring
- Uses 124 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- At 3,701 mm, shorter than 80% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 9.6 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of hatchback EVs in our database.
Renault 5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70 |  Renault 5 Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.70m | 3.92m+221mm |
| Width | 1.58m | 1.81m+225mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.77m | 2.02m+253mm |
| Height | 1.49m | 1.50m+9mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.42m | 2.54m+117mm |
| Ground Clearance | 146mm | 145mm-1mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 308L | 326L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1004L | 1106L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.6m (better) | 10.3m |
| Kerb Weight | 984kg (better) | 1,463kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 24kWh | 40kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 139 mi | 191 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 40kW | 80kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £11,990 (better) | £22,995 |
| Price after EV grant | £11,990 (not eligible) | £21,495 (-£1,500) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 139 miles | 191 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 95 miles | 160 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 40 kW | 80 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 11 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 124 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 24 kWh | 40 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LFP | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 12.3 sec | Not available |
| Power | 52 kW | 90 kW (better) |
| Torque | 137 Nm | 225 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
Renault 5
Evolution
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Dacia Spring
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £10,999 | £19,804 |
| Average used price | £11,149 | £20,974 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 10 listings | 26 listings (better) |
| Saving vs RRP | £841 below new | £2,021 below new |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 1.3% over ~6 months | Down 8.8% over ~6 months |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Dacia Spring Expression Electric 70
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant49%
Child Occupant56%
Vulnerable Road Users39%
Safety Assist32%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Renault 5 Evolution
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Dacia SpringExpression Electric 70 | Renault 5Evolution |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag real-world range. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Dacia Spring
Expression Electric 70
Owners love
- Excellent value proposition as the UK's cheapest new car, starting under £13,800 and democratizing EV ownership
- Ideal as a second car or city runabout with tight turning circle under 5 meters and lightweight design under 1,000kg
- Simple, utilitarian design with manual controls (physical key, handbrake, switches) appeals to owners seeking straightforward functionality
Watch out for
- Real-world range significantly trails WLTP estimates; expect 80-100 miles in mixed conditions and as low as 60-80 miles in winter
- Base 45hp model is dangerously underpowered for motorway use with 19-20 second 0-60 times and unsafe acceleration on slip roads
- Poor interior quality with cheap hard plastics, tinny door closures, and sparse cabin materials throughout
Owner tips
- Choose the 65hp or 100hp variant if considering purchase; the base 45hp model lacks sufficient power for safe motorway driving
- Expect realistic range of 4 mi/kWh in real-world conditions and plan around 80 miles in winter, not the 140-186 mile WLTP figures
Renault 5
Evolution
Owners love
- Owners love the design and say it is fun, nimble and easy to park in town.
- The interior feels well made for the price, with comfortable front seats and physical climate buttons.
- The Google-based infotainment is quick and easy to use, and phone mirroring works well.
Watch out for
- Rear legroom is very tight, so owners call it a car for two adults or a family with small children.
- Real-world range falls well short of WLTP for some owners, especially in cold weather or on fast roads.
- There is no true one-pedal driving: the strongest regen setting still needs the brake to stop.
Owner tips
- If smart charging fails, ask the dealer for the latest software and set charging from the car's own schedule.
- Choose the 52 kWh battery if you do regular longer trips.
Buying options
Get a quote
Dacia Spring
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Dacia Spring
- £10,9992026Cars2View
- £11,2992026Cars2View
Renault 5
- £21,6622026Car360View
- £19,8992025Car360View
- £29,6992026Cars2View
Frequently asked questions
Is the Renault 5 worth the extra £11,005 over the Dacia Spring?
The Renault 5 costs £11,005 more than the Dacia Spring. For that premium it adds 52 miles more WLTP range, 40 kW faster peak rapid charging and 38 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Renault 5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Dacia Spring or the Renault 5?
The Dacia Spring is £11,005 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £136 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Dacia Spring comes out roughly £11,045 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 95 miles for the Dacia Spring and 160 miles for the Renault 5 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault 5 goes roughly 65 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Dacia Spring or the Renault 5?
The Dacia Spring is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 225 mm narrower than the Renault 5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 817 mm of total clearance for the Dacia Spring and about 592 mm of total clearance for the Renault 5. The Dacia Spring also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Dacia Spring or the Renault 5?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 90% battery health for the Dacia Spring and 84% for the Renault 5. That gives the Dacia Spring a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Dacia Spring's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Renault 5's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Renault 5 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Dacia Spring and Renault 5 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Dacia Spring (2024 on): Which Motor, the Steering Recall & What to Pay
A used Dacia Spring buyer’s guide: the 45, 65, 70 and 100 versions, the steering-rack recall, the one-star safety rating, battery warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Renault 5 E-Tech (2025 on): 40 vs 52 kWh, the Grant & What to Pay
A used Renault 5 E-Tech buyer’s guide: the 40 kWh and 52 kWh batteries, the trims, why the £3,750 grant makes a new one barely dearer than a used one, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .