New Honda Super-N vs Renault 5: Mat Watson reveals the best small electric car

I love the Renault 5, so much so I gave it the Urban Living trophy in the Carwow Car of the Year Awards 2026. I didn’t think another small EV would be in with a shout of beating it so soon, but then the Honda Super-N came along.

It’s another wicked-looking electric car with a temptingly low price tag, but is it good enough to beat the Renault? Well I’ve thoroughly tested both cars, and I’m going to tell you which is best.

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Renault 5 vs Honda Super-N: prices and deals

Let’s start by talking about prices, because that’s one of the biggest draws to these cars.

The Renault 5 is more expensive than the Honda Super-N, but not by much. It costs £21,495 with the £1,500 government EV grant applied, whereas the Honda starts from £18,995.

You can also get a Renault 5 for just under £21,000 through Carwow at the time of writing, bringing it even closer to the Honda. It’s a couple of grand more expensive, but there are a few reasons you might want to spend the extra cash.

Renault 5 vs Honda Super-N: batteries and range

The basic Renault 5 has a 40kWh battery with up to 192 miles of range according to official tests, or there’s a 52kWh version with 252 miles of range.

When I tested the Renault, it averaged 4.2 miles per kWh over the course of a week. That works out to 168 miles of real-world range in the cheapest car, which is pretty impressive.

The Honda Super-N isn’t quite as good in this regard. It’s only available with a tiny 30kWh battery, and it’s good for 129 miles of range according to Honda. I managed to get 120 miles out of it in the real world, but it’s still way off the Renault’s figure.

If you’re looking for a small car to tackle long journeys, the Renault 5 is a better choice.

Renault 5 vs Honda Super-N: design

This is where the Super-N starts to claw back some points. I didn’t think electric cars could look cooler than the Renault 5, until I saw this new Honda.

It’s based on a Japanese kei car, a special class of vehicle which fits certain size regulations to get tax breaks in Japan, and it’s both cute and sporty at the same time. The big, round headlamps give it a friendly face, but the flared wheel arches give it rally car vibes at the same time. I love it.

That’s not to say the Renault isn’t a good-looking thing – far from it. It manages to blend retro cues and modern features really nicely, and in bright yellow it really stands out. I really like the styling, but not quite as much as the Honda’s.

Renault 5 vs Honda Super-N: interior and practicality

Moving inside, the Honda Super-N doesn’t look quite as cool. There’s swathes of hard, black plastic across the dashboard, and it feels a bit dark and dingy aside from some funky patterns on the seats – which you can’t see when you’re sitting in them.

The touchscreen is only okay as well. It’s pretty easy to use and has wireless phone mirroring, but it looks a tad dated. At least you do get proper buttons for the climate control, and everything feels pretty robust.

As for the Renault 5, it has a much nicer interior. The stepped dashboard and contrasting colours brighten things up, although the basic version does look a bit bland compared to the top-spec car. It has black and white trim, whereas the mid-spec model gets funky fabrics on the dashboard.

You also have to upgrade to the mid-spec car to get the excellent Google-based infotainment system, which has apps like Google Maps and Spotify built in. The basic system is still better than the Honda’s though, with crisp graphics and a responsive display.

Practicality is a tale of two halves here. The Honda Super-N is more spacious in the rear seats thanks to the boxy body, but the 162-litre boot is way smaller than the Renault’s. It has 326 litres of space, and it’s a more usable shape.

Overall, the Renault 5 has a nicer and more practical interior, but you have to upgrade to the mid-spec car to make it the best it can be. Through Carwow, it’ll cost you an extra £2,000 or so to step up.

Renault 5 vs Honda Super-N: driving

I was really impressed with the way the Renault 5 drives. The steering feels lovely and accurate, it goes over bumps nicely and it feels much more refined than you’d think a car at this price would. It strikes the right balance between being fun and being comfortable.

However, if it’s fun you’re after, the Honda Super-N is on another level. The tiny battery means it’s really light, so it feels nimble through the corners and eager when you put your foot down. It also has a gear shift simulator, a bit like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, which adds to the sense of involvement.

It’s not quite as comfortable or refined as the Renault, but as a driver’s car I much prefer the Honda Super-N.

Mat’s final verdict: which of these cars should you buy?

With your sensible head on, the Renault 5 is the best car out of these two. After Carwow discounts it’s only a couple of grand more expensive, but you’re getting a car which goes further on a charge, has a much bigger boot and a nicer interior. If you can stretch to it, I’d get the Techno model because it has even more range and some desirable kit, but the basic model is still a cracking car.

The Super-N’s puny range means it’s only really suitable as a second car, but it’s got so much character that I still want one. It’s my favourite of the two, even if it’s not technically the best.

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