The new Renault 4 electric crossover is set to arrive in the UK next year with a starting price of less than £30k, continuing the revival of famous names from the French brand’s past with retro-futuristic designs.
The 4 is the second model in Renault’s ‘Iconic Family’ after the smaller and closely related Renault 5 electric supermini and will be joined by a rebooted Twingo (also an EV) in 2026.
It has been positioned to appeal to buyers who consider the 5 too small, in a similar way to how the Captur sits above the Clio, said Renault.
At 4140mm long, 1800mm wide and 1570mm tall, the 4 is 220mm longer, 30mm wider and 70mm taller than the 5, with a 120mm-longer rear overhang. The new 4 is also only slightly taller and longer than the 1961 original.
These dimensions put the 4 into a competitive space among EVs such as the Mini Aceman, Vauxhall Mokka, Volkswagen ID 3 and Jeep Avenger.
However, Renault bosses hope the 4’s lower starting price, usability and adventurous design will give it an edge in the growing electric crossover market.
The design, like that of the 5, stays relatively faithful to the concept car, the 4Ever Trophy, shown in 2022.
The bold looks begin at the front with what Renault claims is the world’s first one-piece illuminated grille, which also features a backlit front emblem – a first for Renault.
Nods to the car’s 1961 namesake include three part rear lights, a roof mounted mini spoiler, vertical overriders on the bumper and three lines sculpted along the door sills. Similar to the original, the crossover can also be specced with a cloth roof.
Design director Gilles Vidal said both the trapezoidal rear quarter windows and bonnet cut lines (referencing the original car’s clamshell opening) are “instant areas of recognition”.
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Basically a shoot out between this and a MG4. At the end of the day it all depends on what the stripped out, smaller battery version is like for your 30k because 35k version might be pushing the bounds of value for money in this sector.
Autocar have got it wrong. The R4 is only 200mm longer than the R5. 80mm shorter than the Megane.
Saw the Alpine version of the new R5 and thought - wow thats small inside. Might be interesting to compare internal width and length as well as external - safety requirements seem to have shrunk the internals vs their vintage predecessors!
It is really quite tight in the back. It may have 5 doors v only 3 doors for the Mini but in my estimation doesn't have any more legroom and I found it absolutely impossible to get my feet under the front seats. BTW I have placed an order for the A290 as it is the closest replacement for my beloved BMW i3s. The Mini like all BMW's no doubt drives well and they seem to have captured the essence of the Mini's go kart handling but every successive generation of the BMW Minis have looked more bloated and more contrived retro. IMHO BMW and Mini have completely screwed up their styling since the E46. I just hope that with the Neue Klasse they completely reinvent their design language and pander less to US and China tastes.