Loading comparison
Renault 5 vs Suzuki e VITARA
Selected trimEvolutionChange trim191 mi · 40 kWh · £22,995
Selected trimMotion 49kWhChange trim213 mi · 49 kWh · £26,249
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault 5 leads on motorway range, family practicality and running costs, while the Suzuki e VITARA stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault 5 if...
- 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
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- 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.
Value
Renault
6
Suzuki
5.9
Too close to call
Motorway RangeRenault
Renault
4.2
Suzuki
3
FamilyRenault
Renault
5.9
Suzuki
4.5
Charging
Renault
3.5
Suzuki
3.5
Too close to call
Cost Per MileRenault
Renault
8.8
Suzuki
6
City DrivingRenault
Renault
8.7
Suzuki
8.1
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 | Renault 5Evolution | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £22,995 (better) | £26,249 |
| Official range | 191 miles | 213 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 326 L (better) | 310 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min (better) | 45 min |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 9.6 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Renault 5
Suzuki e VITARA
Length
Renault 53,922mm-353mm
Suzuki e VITARA4,275mm
Width
Renault 51,808mm
Suzuki e VITARA1,800mm-8mm
Height
Renault 51,498mm-137mm
Suzuki e VITARA1,635mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,922 mm | 4,275 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,808 mm | 1,800 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,020 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,498 mm | 1,635 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.3 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 592 mm spare | 600 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 326 L (better) | 310 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1106 L (better) | 562 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Renault 5
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Suzuki e VITARA
- At 4,275 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 149 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault 5 Evolution |  Suzuki e VITARA Motion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.92m | 4.28m+353mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.80m-8mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | Not available |
| Height | 1.50m | 1.64m+137mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.54m | 2.70m+160mm |
| Ground Clearance | 145mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 326L (better) | 310L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1106L (better) | 562L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.3m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,463kg (better) | 1,680kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40kWh | 49kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 191 mi | 213 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 80kW | 150kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £22,995 (better) | £26,249 |
| Price after EV grant | £21,495 (-£1,500) | £26,249 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | SUV |
| Available | 2025+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 191 miles | 213 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 160 miles | 162 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min (better) | 45 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 80 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 149 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 40 kWh | 49 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 9.6 sec |
| Power | 90 kW | 106 kW (better) |
| Torque | 225 Nm (better) | 193 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Renault 5
Evolution
Suzuki e VITARA
Motion 49kWh
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
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 - Suzuki e VITARA Motion 49kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant77%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users79%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Suzuki e VITARAMotion 49kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 160,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Renault 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Suzuki e VITARA
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Renault 5
- £21,6622026Car360View
- £19,8992025Car360View
- £29,6992026Cars2View
Suzuki e VITARA
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Suzuki e VITARA worth the extra £3,254 over the Renault 5?
The Suzuki e VITARA costs £3,254 more than the Renault 5. For that premium it adds 70 kW faster peak rapid charging. 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 Suzuki e VITARA?
The Renault 5 is £3,254 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 £3,334 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 Suzuki e VITARA like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 160 miles for the Renault 5 and 162 miles for the Suzuki e VITARA - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 31 minutes in the Renault 5 and 45 in the Suzuki e VITARA, so the Renault 5 loses less time at each stop.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault 5 or the Suzuki e VITARA?
The two are within 8 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Suzuki e VITARA and about 592 mm of total clearance for the Renault 5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Renault 5 or the Suzuki e VITARA?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Renault 5 and 90% for the Suzuki e VITARA. That gives the Suzuki e VITARA a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Suzuki e VITARA'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
More Suzuki e VITARA 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 Suzuki e VITARA rank among the best family EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Suzuki e VITARA rank among EVs under £30,000Where the Renault 5 and Suzuki e VITARA rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Renault 5 and Suzuki e VITARA rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Suzuki e VITARA rank among the best city EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Suzuki e VITARA 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .