A warm thank you to our farmers! Apart from feeding us, they have reconciled us with our R4!
In brief The Renault 4 E-Tech 150 hp / 52 kWh appears to be pleasant and practical for city and secondary roads, thanks to its spacious rear space and larger trunk than the R5. However, it suffers from a still insufficient autonomy for long trips, especially on highways, and long recharging times in difficult conditions. Its consumption increases significantly in winter, and its energy recovery system offers a certain comfort in driving. It is a recommended car for daily use or getaways off the highway, but less suitable for long fast journeys despite its attractive look and modern equipment.
Renault 4 E-Tech 150 hp / 52 kWh Iconic Autonomy Comfort: on the road for 10,000 km Not that we were, Yann and I, really upset with it, but… From the first day, it forced us to make no less than four stops to recharge its battery between Paris and Besançon, with a slight detour to the Ballons d’Alsace to start immortalizing our adventure and escape the highway ribbon. 708 km in total: that’s not a long relay. The same the next day to reach Montélimar: 662 km on our meter. With a full tank of good diesel (or a hybrid) at the start, we wouldn’t have needed to refuel. Certainly, it allows for some rest, far beyond the recommendations of road safety messages….
Renault 4 E-Tech 150 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic Autonomy Comfort: driving pleasure? But the manufacturers and energy suppliers can no longer sell us any savings on electric driving if you don’t refuel at home or in favorable conditions. All this to say that on the third day of our adventure, then, a little constrained by circumstances, as we leave the A9 at the height of then we rediscover the pleasure of driving really! On the departmental road that leads us to Limoux, then to Mirepoix and Pamiers, our R4 regains its colors. No more Eco mode, really too punitive and frustrating at the slightest acceleration where a little nerve is needed. Equipped with tires suitable for the season and the region, the car proves very fun to drive: precise, playful, not subject to the slightest roll…
Renault 4 E-Tech 150 hp / 52 kWh Iconic Autonomy Comfort: a more comfortable feeling in “Sport” mode The feeling is even better in Sport mode and the braking, often the Achilles’ heel of electric cars, is easily modulated. You just have to get used to adjusting the regeneration power on braking with your hand. The R4 has indeed inaugurated a more advanced system than the R5 at its beginnings (the 2026 productions from the Renault group now benefit from it, like the Nissan Micra), which is managed via two small paddles on the steering wheel to adjust the power according to three levels, and even four with the One Pedal mode, capable of taking you to a complete stop without touching the brake pedal….
The Auto-Journal assessment: 4/5 She’s still nice, this R4! As long as you don’t take it on the highway. A treat on the road, in the city, in daily life, it’s a pleasant partner, practical and significantly more spacious at the rear than the R5, while maintaining a small size. From playing the big roads…Even with its large battery, its range is around 400/450 km from the starting point.
Find our test on 10,000 km of the Renault 4 E-Tech 150 hp / 52 kWh Iconic Autonomy Comfort in Auto-Journal No. 1204 of 05/03/2026.
Table comparing models Model, Battery capacity, Power, Average consumption (spring/autumn), Average consumption (winter/test), Maximum autonomy (per charge), Max Eco mode speed, Max DC charge power, Recharge cost (hotel), Recharge cost (highway) Renault 4 E-Tech, 52 kWh, 150 hp, -, 21.4 kWh/100 km, 190 km (70-80% battery), 115 km/h, 100 kW (5-10 min), approx. 15€ for 40 kWh, 0.50€/kWh Renault 5 E-Tech, 52 kWh, 150 hp, 15.3 kWh/100 km, -, -, -, 100 kW, -, –
Key takeaway – The Renault 4 E-Tech offers superior rear space and a larger trunk compared to the Renault 5. – Its actual highway range was found to be limited, rarely exceeding 190 km with 70-80% battery used, mainly due to increased consumption in winter. – Frequent and long charging stops make long journeys uncomfortable, especially on highways. – Its average consumption reached 21.4 kWh/100 km during the winter test, significantly higher than in spring/autumn. – The Eco mode limits power and speed to favor autonomy but sacrifices driving pleasure. – The energy recovery system has been improved to optimize range during descents. – The R4 stands out in the city and on secondary roads, where it offers real enjoyment and appreciated maneuverability.
