Loading comparison
Renault 5 vs Smart EQ forfour
Selected trimEvolutionChange trim191 mi · 40 kWh · £22,995
Selected trimStandard · 2017-2281 mi · 17.6 kWh · £24,285
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault 5 leads on value for money, family practicality and running costs, while the Smart EQ forfour leads on charging speed and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault 5 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Smart EQ forfour if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault 5 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueRenault
Renault
6
Smart
5
Motorway Range
Renault
4.2
Smart
3.9
Too close to call
FamilyRenault
Renault
5.9
Smart
4.6
ChargingSmart
Renault
3.5
Smart
9.5
Cost Per MileRenault
Renault
8.8
Smart
8.2
City DrivingSmart
Renault
8.7
Smart
9.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Renault 5
Evolution
- £1,290 cheaper
- 111 miles more WLTP range
- 141 litres more boot space
- 80 kW faster rapid charging
- 30 kW more power
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £22,995 (better) | £24,285 |
| Official range | 191 miles (better) | 81 miles |
| Boot space | 326 L (better) | 185 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 12.7 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Renault 5
Smart EQ forfour
Length
Renault 53,922mm
Smart EQ forfour3,495mm-427mm
Width
Renault 51,808mm
Smart EQ forfour1,665mm-143mm
Height
Renault 51,498mm-56mm
Smart EQ forfour1,554mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,922 mm | 3,495 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,808 mm | 1,665 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,020 mm | 1,875 mm (better) |
| Height | 1,498 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.3 m | 8.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 592 mm spare | 735 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 (better) | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 326 L (better) | 185 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1106 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Renault 5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Smart EQ forfour
- At 3,495 mm, shorter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 8.65 m turning circle, tighter than 95% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,665 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault 5 Evolution |  Smart EQ forfour Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.92m | 3.50m-427mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.67m-143mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | 1.88m-145mm |
| Height | 1.50m | 1.55m+56mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.54m | 2.49m-46mm |
| Ground Clearance | 145mm | 100mm-45mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 326L (better) | 185L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1106L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 (better) | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.3m | 8.65m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,463kg | 1,275kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40kWh (better) | 17.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 191 mi (better) | 81 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 80kW (better) | 0kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £22,995 (better) | £24,285 |
| Price after EV grant | £21,495 (-£1,500) | £24,285 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2017–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 191 miles (better) | 81 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 160 miles (better) | 67 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 80 kW (better) | 0 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 40 kWh (better) | 16.7 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 12.7 sec |
| Power | 90 kW (better) | 60 kW |
| Torque | 225 Nm (better) | 160 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Renault 5
Evolution
Smart EQ forfour
Base
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Renault 5
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 | Renault 5Evolution | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £19,804 | £6,495 |
| Average used price | £20,974 | £7,445 |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 13.9% over ~6 months | Up 18.8% 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 - Renault 5 Evolution
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Smart EQ forfour Base
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant78%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users56%
Safety Assist56%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 100,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Renault 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart EQ forfour
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Renault 5
- £21,6622026Car360View
- £19,8992025Car360View
- £29,6992026Cars2View
Smart EQ forfour
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart EQ forfour worth the extra £1,290 over the Renault 5?
The Smart EQ forfour costs £1,290 more than the Renault 5. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Renault 5 is not just cheaper - it also offers 111 miles more WLTP range, 80 kW faster peak rapid charging and 141 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Renault 5 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Renault 5 or the Smart EQ forfour?
The Renault 5 is £1,290 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Renault 5 comes out roughly £1,330 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Renault 5 and Smart EQ forfour like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 160 miles for the Renault 5 and 67 miles for the Smart EQ forfour - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault 5 goes roughly 93 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault 5 or the Smart EQ forfour?
The Smart EQ forfour is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 143 mm narrower than the Renault 5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 735 mm of total clearance for the Smart EQ forfour and about 592 mm of total clearance for the Renault 5. The Smart EQ forfour also turns in a 1.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Renault 5 or the Smart EQ forfour?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Renault 5 and 84% for the Smart EQ forfour. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. 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
More Smart EQ forfour 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 Renault 5 and Smart EQ forfour rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Renault 5 and Smart EQ forfour rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Renault 5 and Smart EQ forfour rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Renault 5 and Smart EQ forfour rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Smart EQ forfour rank among the best city EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Smart EQ forfour 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 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.
GuideBuying a Used smart EQ fortwo or forfour (2017-2024): Charging Faults, Real Range & What to Pay
A used smart EQ fortwo and forfour buyer’s guide: coupe, cabrio or four-seater, the 22 kW charger, charging and 12V faults, real-world range, the battery warranty, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .