Jaecoo E5 v Renault 4 E-Tech: which of these great-value EVs is best?

The days of electric cars being overpriced and out of reach are over. If you have the budget for petrol-powered family hatchback, then you have the budget for an EV.

Need proof? Take a look at these two: the Jaecoo E5 and Renault 4 E-Tech. Both start from well under £30,000, and both are large enough to make practical family cars. But which of these two electric SUVs makes the better buy?

Let us help you to decide.

Remember, you can buy a brand new or used car right here on Carwow. And you can sell your car, too. We’re here to help you through every step of your car-changing journey.

Jaecoo E5 vs Renault 4: design

To look at, these are very different cars.

The Jaecoo E5 is modern, simple, and clean looking. The chunky grille that gives the petrol model a bit of personality is missing, and the result is a bland and inoffensive design. From the side it’s well-proportioned and could almost be mistaken for a Range Rover Evoque from a distance. Almost.

You’re much less likely to lose the Renault 4 in a car park. The design references the utilitarian Renault 4 from the 1960s without leaning too heavily on the past.

From the squared-off wheelarches to the round-eyed headlights, the look is retro-inspired but not old-fashioned.

Those who prefer the Jaecoo E5 may find the Renault 4 a little twee. We don’t. To our eyes it is by far the more appealing design.

Jaecoo E5 vs Renault 4: interior and equipment

Inside, the Jaecoo E5 has a smart-looking portrait-oriented touchscreen. It lifts what is otherwise and neat but uninspired cabin design. Quality is pretty good for the price although there are cheap materials here and there.

The Renault’s 10.1-inch infotainment screen is smaller than the Jaecoo’s, which measures a whopping 13.2 inches. Size isn’t everything, though, and the French car’s infotainment is easier to use and responds very quickly.

Both cars have digital displays directly in front of the driver. It’s a shame that the entry-level Renault 4 has a smaller seven-inch display, rather than the 10-inch screen used in more expensive models. The Jaecoo’s display is wide but short whether you go for the base model or the range-topper.

Design-wise, it’s a clear win for the 4. The multilayered dash continues the retro-futuristic theme of the exterior and is packed with neat design details. The E5 is sober and generic in comparison.

In terms of equipment in the cabin, the entry-level E5 Pure has wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker stereo and a panoramic camera system. The most basic 4, badged Evolution, also mirrors smartphones wirelessly, but makes do with four speakers and a rear-view camera rather than a surround-view system.

Despite the Jaecoo’s kit list we prefer the 4 for its more inviting interior design.

Jaecoo E5 vs Renault 4: space and practicality

These are both quite small cars, but the Jaecoo E5 is longer, wider and taller than the Renault 4.

In the front, both cars are roomy enough for people of most shapes and sizes to be comfortable. The Jaecoo’s front seat is quite high, though, even on its lowest setting, while the Renault’s seat cushion is quite narrow.

In the back, the Renault 4 is roomier than the Renault 5 hatchback, although that’s not really saying much. The E5 is the more spacious car for rear-seat passengers.

It also has a bigger boot, with a very useful capacity of 480 litres. The Renault has a more modest 420 litres, although that’s still pretty good compared with most small SUVs.

These two cars are reasonably practical for their size, but the Jaecoo E5 is the roomier for people and luggage.

Jaecoo E5 vs Renault 4: motors, batteries and range

Jaecoo doesn’t burden E5 buyers with too much choice. There’s just one motor and battery combination. The motor has 207hp and the battery has a 61.1kWh capacity. Renault also keeps things simple with a 150hp motor and a 52kWh battery.

There’s not a lot in it for range. The Jaecoo can travel 248 miles in official tests, while the Renault manages up to 247 miles. That solitary mile is unlikely to sway your buying decision one way or the other.

If you want to top-up the batteries mid-journey, the E5 can charge at 80kW, which is on the slow side. The 4 can charge slightly more quickly, with a maximum of 100kW.

There’s really nothing between the cars when it comes to motors, batteries and range.

Jaecoo E5 vs Renault 4: performance and drive comfort

Compared with the petrol Jaecoo 5, the electric E5 is much better to drive. It’s quicker, quieter and rides more comfortably (although that’s not saying much).

There’s no petrol version of the Renault 4, it’s a battery-electric vehicle pure and simple. Like the E5, it’s not the most exciting car on a twisty road, but it does have the edge over the Jaecoo for ride comfort.

Both cars have light steering and a very easy to drive and park.

The 4 is the slower car with a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds, but there’s not much in it as the E5 takes 7.7 seconds.

It’s quite close, but we’d rather be driving the Renault 4.

Jaecoo E5 vs Renault 4: price and standard kit

Chinese brands like Jaecoo are known for their keen prices, and the E5 starts from just £27,505. The Renault 4 is cheaper, though, starting from £26,995. Unlike the Jaecoo, the Renault qualifies for the government’s Electric Car Grant which drops the price to £25,495.

So, you’ll have another £2k in your pocket if you choose the Renault, although in fairness the Jaecoo is a bigger car.

At the opposite end of the range, the top-spec E5 costs £30,505. The most expensive of the three models in the 4 line-up costs £29,495 (after the £1,500 government grant has been deducted). So, the price difference between the range-topping models isn’t as large as the gap at the bottom of the line ups.

Both cars are well equipped. All the safety kit you might wish for is standard if you choose the Jaecoo. Although this model hasn’t been tested by Euro NCAP, the larger Jaecoo 7 scored the maximum five stars.

Go for the Renault instead and some driver aids are reserved for top-spec versions. The car shares the four-star Euro NCAP rating achieved by the Renault 5.

So, the Renault is cheaper, but the larger E5 shades it for value.

Jaecoo E5 vs Renault 4: verdict

If you need more space than the Renault offers, you’ll prefer the Jaecoo E5. Likewise, if you want a car that doesn’t attract attention the Jaecoo may be more to your liking.

In most respects, though, the Renault 4 is the better car. It’s better to drive and will make you smile every time you look at it.

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