10:24 am, August 26, 2026
Renault has announced a series of upgrades to its much-loved electric 5 hatchback as the French brand looks to make the model more efficient.
The 5 has taken the UK by storm since arriving last year, even winning dealers’ Car of the Year at the 2025 Car Dealer Power Awards.
Now, it has been announced that the 40kWh version has been given an improved range of up to 196 miles on a single charge – three miles more than before.
Meanwhile, the claimed range of the 52kWh Comfort Range model has risen from 255 to 267 miles.
The gains come from redesigned wing mirrors and lower body areas, alongside what Renault describes as ‘optimised’ battery electronics.
The 40kWh model is also set to receive a updated powertrain, sourced from the new Twingo, that will use a 36.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
While this will result in range dropping off again to 190 miles, charging speeds of up to 80kW will be supported.
Elsewhere, the updated 5 also gains a new Flame Red exterior colour, while customers can specify a Starry Black roof. Techno models can now be fitted with alloy wheels with a new gold finish, alongside revised roof and wing decals.
Inside, Iconic models now receive blue upholstery.
The 5 also gets a new 4G-compatible e-call system and a Smart driving mode that can automatically switch between driving settings based on the way the car is being driven.
Renault says it could select Sport mode during an overtake, for example, before switching to Eco when the car is being driven around town.
Google’s Gemini AI assistant has also replaced the previous Google Assistant system. It allows drivers to hold conversations with the system and use voice commands to access information and complete more sophisticated tasks.
The updated Renault 5 will be shown at the Paris Motor Show in October, with UK specification and pricing details expected to be announced closer to the event.