Renault 5 E-Tech vs Citroën ë-C3: differences… which one is better ?

© Presse-citron

It's the match of the titans: while Stellantis rolls out particularly attractive proposals In the electric segment, Renault Group is also launching a revised Renault 5 electric, called the Renault R5 E-Tech. In both cases, a model around €25,000 is offered (before deductions and bonuses ecological).

We are on small city cars whatever the brand. But then, which one to choose ? What are the real differences between these models&amp ;nbsp;? We will try to enlighten you on the question.

© Citroën

This is probably another point that can vary at this stage. In fact, and at the time of writing, the most entry-level Citroën ë-C3 You is a few thousand euros cheaper than the Renault R5 E-Tech in the same category. The final prices, particularly for the entry-level, are not yet fully known.

Thus the Citroën ë-C3 You is available from €23,300 excluding the €4,000 ecological bonus and other aid that may be combined at the time of purchase. All we know about the Renault R5 E-Tech is that a version for around €25,000will be offered. It is, as you will see, a priori better equipped as standard, which seems incompatible with a lower price.

But it will probably be a close call. For the time being, everything remains possible, even a slightly more aggressive price on the Renault side.

© Renault

The category of the Renault R5 E-Tech and that of the Citroën ë-C3 may seem identical. However, the two vehicles are not exactly the same size. The Renault R5 is de facto the real small city car of the two vehicles with its 3.92 meters long, quite easy to park in town even in a cramped space.

The Citroën ë-C3 is longer at 4.02 meters. The difference is only 10 cm, but with the other elements of its design and With its slightly larger size, the Citroën is more reminiscent of a small compact SUV. Which is now also available from the Stellantis group in a slightly more spacious version, embodied by the Grande Panda electric, just presented under the Fiat brand. .

© Citroën

This offers a new choice of format in a vehicle class that is currently developing very rapidly.

If it really is the range that is the deciding factor in your purchase and you don't want anything other than the cheapest variant, then – at least on paper – it is the Renault R5 electric that wins. The latter thus displays for the least expensive version, with 52 kWh battery a range of 300 km (WLTP).

Opposite, the least expensive Citroën ë-C3, at €23,300 with its 42 kWh battery offers a maximum range of 200 km(WLTP). In the more expensive variants, the Renault R5 also comes out on top in this respect with a range of up to 410 km. Both models have fast charging – this vehicle class is rather pleasant in this respect with a charge to 80% in under 40 minutes.

© Renault

Aiming for a drastic reduction in production costs, Citroën has been forced to cut some corners – just like Renault, for that matter. However, when looking at the standard equipment, one impression immediately emerges: the most basic Citroën ë-C3 is a little less well equipped than its equivalent at Renault.

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Especially since the R5 E-tech stands out with a range of equipment that is more attractive to technology enthusiasts, at least on the most expensive versions. There are also options that are absent from Citroën, such as heated front seats or level 2 autonomous driving. It even has a voice assistant based on ChatGPT.

The ë-C3, by comparison, is more focused on the essentials: being a small compact city car at a low price. It is possible to boost the basic offering a little by opting for the Max variant – but not as much as the Renault R5 in our opinion.

In both cases, the manufacturers had to cut costs. The finishes are therefore generally marked by hard plastic in many places in the passenger compartment. But we notice that Renault has made efforts as soon as possible to give off a slightly more premium impression from its vehicle.

© Citroën

A matter of taste for some, Renault's little touches should please those who want a slightly more refined interior. Knowing that in both cases we are on small mainstream cars, rather well assembled and with a neat design.

To respect the conditions of bonuses and other aid, both vehicles are manufactured in Europe. But which of the Renault R5 E-Tech or the 100% electric Citroën ë-C3 is the most “made in France” ? One might say that to achieve such prices, the two manufacturers have rather called upon production sites in eastern Europe, where costs are reputed to be lower.

However, there is a clear difference in approach between the two brands. Citroën is therefore banking on production in the Trnava plant located in Slovakia – a landlocked country between Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Slovenia and Serbia. While on the Renault group side, it is rather production sites in France that are favored.

Renault is thus manufacturing its R5 E-Tech in its Douai plant, the historic production site of the Renault 5 of yesteryear. All its suppliers are located within a 300 km radius, in France for 80% of them. The vehicle's engines are assembled on a production site located in Cléon, Normandy. It's hard to do more “made in France” while reducing costs as much as possible.

The brand has already explained that it achieves this thanks to the compact side of suppliers on which it relies. In addition, the production of the vehicle itself is optimized to the maximum – each unit being manufactured in just ten hours.

Obviously, the answer to this question depends on the consumer: each vehicle has its qualities and its defects depending on the order of priorities in the customer's specifications. But we can immediately appreciate the multiplication of interesting options around 25,000 euros.

For the rest, it is first and foremost a story of look, autonomy and equipment. The Citroën ë-C3 is for you if you want to make (a priori) a little savings, the least expensive model seems destined to remain a few thousand euros below the least expensive Renault R5 E-Tech. All this, delivering a vehicle that is nonetheless attractive, perfect for short trips in town or suburban areas.

Or even to take you to your country house. But some will find that the difference is very small. Especially when you want to move up a bit in the range of options. The Renault R5 E-Tech scores points for its often slightly more premium side and its greater number of attractive options such as level 2 autonomous driving.

It also offers a little more autonomy, and a design that is likely to please all those who took their first steps on the road in a Renault 5 of yesteryear. Both meet all the criteria for bonuses and other incentives to purchase – and are manufactured in Europe.

However, the other little extra of the Renault R5 E-Tech is that it is manufactured mainly in France, on one of the brand's historic sites. All with an innovative approach that rekindles hopes of reindustrializing the country without causing costs to explode… So which one will you choose ? Tell us everything in the comments !

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