What makes the Renault 4 an award-winning colossus?

Good people deserve good cars, and good cars deserve awards. So here we are, with millions of British motorists primed and ready for their first ever EV, and the Renault 4 E-Tech electric newly crowned as the BBC TopGear.com Electric Car of the Year. You can see where this is going.

There are many reasons to say bonjour to le 4, but you haven’t got all day, so here are four: it’s practical, it’s packed with tech to make your life easier, it qualifies for the government EV Grant and, well, it’s a looker. In fact, let’s start with that, shall we?
 

Striking design

How do you make a car look like the future? Take a little bit of inspiration from the ‘60s! At the beginning of a decade transfixed by the space race, the original Renault 4 was born and became a design classic.

So, you’ll be glad to know that retrofuturism abounds on the new 4’s exterior, blending classical notes seamlessly into its thoroughly modern aesthetic. For a start, there’s the recognisable wide, horizontal grille, except now it’s lined with a svelte strip of lighting to match the illuminated Renault logo at its centre.

Other iconic aspects, such as the round headlights and unique lengthened silhouette, have all been channelled through a contemporary lens to lend the 4 an unmistakable sense of purpose.
 

Fancy winning four nights for two in Paris?

Of course you do, and you haven’t even heard the details yet. On Thursday 26 March 2026, you could be boarding the Eurostar to the City of Light with a lucky companion, courtesy of Renault.

There, you’ll spend four nights in the chic Le Basile Hôtel and enjoy unforgettable experiences like a river cruise dinner at Restaurant Ducasse sur Seine, luxury wine tasting and unique day out at le défilé renault^®, complete with a carwalk, eye-catching exhibits and lunch.

Sound good? Find more information, terms and conditions and enter here.

Smart tech integration

Being a leading light in this new generation of EVs, the Renault 4 is unsurprisingly stuffed to the gills with gadgets.

Enjoy connected driving with the openR link multimedia system, featuring dual 10-inch screens¹. Here, you can take advantage of having Google built-in². 

This allows you to access real-time navigation³ with Google Maps, which automatically adjusts your route based on any obstacles and your Renault’s energy consumption, as well as plan your electric journeys with routes optimised for charging points. 

And if all that convenience has got you in the mood to sing, you can use voice control with Google Assistant and access to over 100 apps, including Waze and Amazon Music via Google Play, as well as for basic in-car functions like the seat warmers¹.
 

A practical family car

The Renault 4 is a car perfectly equipped for everything urban everyday life can throw at it. A longer wheelbase of 4.14m provides greater rear-seat comfort and increased boot capacity – ideal for those with a large brood, or adventurers planning expansive road trips.

Speaking of which, you can optimise all that space for whatever configuration of people and cargo you need, thanks to the 40/60 split-folding rear seat.

Plus, the hands-free electric tailgate¹ and low loading sill allow for easy access to the boot, so your knees and back will thank you for that. As will your passengers, with 16.4cm of knee room in the second row of seats.
 

A great car at an even greater price

As part of the Plan for Change initiative, the government is offering a £650 million Electric Car Grant that can give you a useful head start of £1,500. That means you could own a BBC TopGear.com Electric Car of the Year, with plenty of advanced design and tech, starting at a hugely competitive £27,195⁴.

That’s a better deal than you’ll get with many similar cars in the Renault 4’s category. So, the only question left to ask is: pourquoi pas?

Explore the full, award-winning EV range here

Terms and conditions

^{Model shown is Renault 4 E-Tech electric iconic at £27,195.}

^{1. Available from techno trim.}

^{2. Google, Google Play, Google Maps, Waze and other marks are trademarks of Google LLC.}

^{3. Connected Services require a compatible iOS or Android smartphone. Only use when parked safely and follow road safety regulations. Services subject to mobile network coverage and additional charges. Connected services are free 5 years, after which charges may apply. For compatible devices, visit here.}

^{4. Price based on new Renault 4 E-Tech electric iconic MRRP, excluding metallic paints, including £1,500 car grant.}