Five reasons the Renault 4 could be the smartest small EV lease of 2026
The Renault 5 might be grabbing most of the headlines right now, but don’t overlook its slightly taller, more practical sibling. Because after spending time with the new Renault 4, we’re starting to think this could actually be the better all-round electric car for most people.
It takes everything that makes the Renault 5 appealing – the retro styling, compact dimensions and affordable EV platform – then adds a bit more space, a bit more usability and a slightly more grown-up feel.
And crucially, it does all that without losing the charm. Here are five reasons the Renault 4 could end up being the smartest small EV you can lease in 2026.
1. It’s genuinely affordable
Let’s start with the obvious one.
The Renault 4 looks set to hit a really sweet spot in the market when it comes to pricing. At a time when even relatively small EVs are creeping towards premium-car money, the Renault feels refreshingly sensible, with lease rates currently starting from around £150 per month.
The 4 therefore undercuts a lot of similarly sized electric SUVs while still offering the sort of range, technology and usability people actually want day-to-day.
We’d go as far as saying at the moment, Renault’s 4 is the best value for money EV you can lease.
Renault 4 vs Renault 5: In-depth comparison
2. It’s way more practical than the Renault 5
The Renault 5 is undeniably cool, but the Renault 4 feels like the car people will actually end up living with more easily.
You sit slightly higher, getting a better view out, while the boxier shape means there’s noticeably more rear headroom and boot space too. It immediately feels more family-friendly without becoming bulky or boring.
That extra practicality matters. The wider-opening boot, flatter roofline and more spacious rear seats make the 4 feel less compromised as an everyday car, especially if you regularly carry passengers or need to throw larger items in the back.
And unlike a lot of small SUVs, it still keeps compact dimensions that make it easy to drive and park around town.
It’s basically taken the Renault 5 formula and made it more usable without ruining the appeal.
3. The real-world range is properly impressive
One of the biggest surprises with the Renault 4 is just how accurate the range estimates seem to be in real-world driving. That might not sound particularly exciting, but honestly, it’s one of the best compliments you can give an EV.
Considering its 52kWh battery pack, this is an EV that’s suited to town work rather than long journeys, with our real-world range sitting at around 200 miles over our time with the car.
That might not sound much, but too many electric cars still promise huge headline figures that quickly disappear the moment you hit a motorway or turn the heating on. The Renault 4 feels far more honest.
In mixed driving, it consistently gets very close to its claimed range – and in some situations, especially around town, it can actually exceed it.
That immediately makes the car feel more relaxing to live with because you stop second-guessing whether the battery estimate is wildly optimistic. For everyday users, confidence matters just as much as outright numbers. And Renault appears to have nailed that balance here.
4. It has retro charm without feeling cheesy
Retro-inspired cars are difficult to get right. Lean too hard into nostalgia and they can end up feeling gimmicky. Ignore the heritage entirely and you lose the emotional connection people actually want from them. The Renault 4 manages to land somewhere nicely in the middle.
There are clear references to the original car in the silhouette, grille design and detailing, but it still looks modern enough that it doesn’t feel like a novelty act. More importantly, it has genuine character.
In a market increasingly filled with anonymous-looking electric crossovers, the Renault 4 stands out simply by having a bit of personality. It looks friendly, approachable and just slightly different from everything else on the road.
And honestly, that counts for a lot. Cars like this make people smile – something the EV market arguably needs more of.
5. Did we mention it’s affordable?
Because this really is the thing that could make the Renault 4 such a big deal.
A lot of manufacturers keep talking about affordable EVs, but then launch cars loaded with expensive batteries and pricing that pushes them firmly out of reach for some.
The Renault 4 feels like one of the first new EVs in a while that genuinely understands what people actually need.
You’re getting usable range, decent practicality, good technology and loads of character without needing to spend premium-brand money. With leases starting for under £200 per month, combined with the savings compared to equivalent petrol and hybrid models at the moment, the running costs of a leased Renault 4 really stand out.
Public EV Charging: Made Simple with Be.EV
If you’re thinking of going electric, you’ll be pleased to hear we’ve got an exclusive offer from our partner Be.EV. They make public EV charging simple, affordable and easy to understand.
Their growing network of rapid chargers combined with subscription plans can help reduce charging costs. And thanks to our offer, you’ll get a further 50% off your first two charges of your new electric lease vehicle.
Because for all the talk around ultra-fast charging speeds and massive performance figures, most drivers simply want an electric car that’s easy to afford, easy to live with and doesn’t feel like an appliance.
The Renault 4 might just nail that formula better than almost anything else so far in 2026.
