Renault 4 E-Tech Electric: A Retro Revival Among Europe’s Car of the Year Finalists
Renault’s retro-inspired 4 E-Tech Electric has made it to the final round of the 2026 European Car of the Year awards. The jury of 57 automotive journalists from 23 countries whittled down a field of 35 new models to just seven contenders. The winner will be revealed on 9 January 2026 at the Brussels Motor Show.
This marks the fifth consecutive year a Renault has reached the final, and the French brand has walked away with the trophy twice in a row. In 2024, the Scenic E-Tech Electric took the crown, while the following year the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric shared the title with its sportier cousin, the Alpine A290. Now Renault hopes its nostalgic yet functional 4 E-Tech Electric will continue the brand’s electric winning streak.
Renault’s Consistent Run at the Top
Over the past five years, Renault’s electrified range has become a fixture in the competition:
2022 – Mégane E-Tech Electric
2023 – Austral E-Tech Full Hybrid
2024 – Scenic E-Tech Electric (winner)
2025 – Renault 5 E-Tech Electric (winner, shared with Alpine A290)
2026 – Renault 4 E-Tech Electric
A Diverse Line-Up for 2026
This year’s finalists represent one of the most eclectic selections in recent memory. The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric faces the Citroën C5 Aircross, Dacia Bigster, Fiat Grande Panda, Kia EV4, Mercedes-Benz CLA, and Škoda Elroq.
Each model embodies a different segment and design philosophy, yet all share a common theme: the democratisation of electric and hybrid mobility. Where previous winners leaned heavily on cutting-edge innovation, the 2026 line-up seems more grounded in realistic electric motoring rather than futuristic ambition.
Powertrains and Range
The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric comes with a choice of two powertrains and battery packs:
Urban Range: 90 kW motor, 40 kWh battery, up to 308 km range
Comfort Range: 110 kW motor, 52 kWh battery, up to 409 km range
Both support rapid charging and are designed for both private owners and business fleets. Dedicated Fleet and Fleet Van variants are also available, aimed at small businesses and delivery operators.
Retro Looks, Modern Purpose
The design is deliberately retro-futuristic. It echoes the familiar lines of the original Renault 4, yet its proportions, LED lighting, and surfaces are unmistakably modern. Inside, practicality takes precedence: the cabin offers 420 litres of luggage space, 2.2 metres of load length, and a 61 cm loading height—around 10 cm lower than most rivals. A genuinely useful detail, not a stylistic flourish.
Tech with Personality
Like its siblings, the 4 E-Tech Electric runs OpenR Link with Google integration, giving access to over 100 apps and services. It also introduces Reno, Renault’s new virtual assistant powered by ChatGPT technology, adding a touch of conversational AI to the daily drive.
The Renault 4 E-Tech Electric, then, is more than a nostalgic nod to the past. It’s a confident statement of how electric cars can blend charm, utility, and accessibility. Whether it will clinch Renault’s third consecutive Car of the Year title remains to be seen, but its place in the final feels entirely deserved.
