Renault 5 versus Citroën ë-C3, 208 and Corsa: the battle for the electric B-segment

With the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Renault has potential gold in its hands. The promised basic version is cheap enough at 25,000 euros to be an alternative to the also very fresh Citroën ë-C3, while a fully loaded top version is charming enough to perhaps convince some Mini buyers. Prices for the more expensive versions are not yet available, but there is a chance that even the biggest 5 is cheaper than the cheapest electric Mini, which of course no one buys. For less money you get rear doors and a greater range, so the Renault does a lot of good on paper.

Renault 5 vs Citroën ë-C3

Because it is in a different price segment, we will ignore the Mini for this first comparison. More relevant is the offer we find at Stellantis, because that partly French group has electric hatchbacks at the bottom and top of the Renault 5 range. First of all, it is striking that the Renault is the only one in this list that has been developed purely as an EV; There are or will also be petrol variants of the others. Let’s start with the Citroën ë-C3. That car is much more emphatically positioned as a budget option and looks and feels a lot simpler than the Renault, but the price also reflects that. In the future there will even be a 21 grand version, making the ë-C3 a direct Dacia Spring competitor. For the Renault 5 comparison, we will stick to the 44 kWh version that has already been announced. At €24,290, it is slightly cheaper than the basic 5, but can be used for fast charging at 100 kW (0 kW for the basic Renault) and can travel a little further on a charge of electricity at 320 kilometers. The power is also slightly higher at Citroën at 113 hp. The Renault does strike back on the emotional level: those charming retro sports seats are standard, the car feels more solid inside and out and also stands a lot tougher and more confident on its 18-inch wheels. We also see the Android Automotive infotainment as an important advantage of the Renault. The space available on the back seat is quite limited in both cars and when it comes to luggage space, it seems to depend mainly on the measuring method used. Renault states 326 liters and Citroën 310, but according to the VDA method – with virtual solid ‘cubes’ instead of liquid liters’ – it remains at 277 liters.

Renault 5 versus Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa Electric

The Citroën ë-C3 is on a new, simpler platform, specifically intended to reduce costs. The electric Peugeot 208 and Opel Corsa are (price) slightly higher on the ladder and are on the more complex e-CMP platform. The price of these models is so much higher that with the upcoming alternatives it seems almost inevitable for Stellantis to do something about it. For now, however, we will assume current prices. This means that the party starts at 35 grand for an electric Corsa, although it is temporarily cheaper. Interestingly, Opel and Peugeot also supply the old 50 kWh drivetrain in addition to the new 51 kWh drivetrain. That one kWh does not make a difference, but the new drivetrain is much more efficient and so such a hatchback can go considerably further on (almost) the same amount of electricity. As a bonus you have an extra 20 hp. In view of the electricity costs and the residual value, the new drivetrain is recommended, but then we are suddenly talking about at least 38 grand for the Corsa and no less than €40,720 for the Peugeot. Ouch! Let’s also take a look at the space available here: the Corsa and the 208 are both noticeably tight in the back for B-segment cars, so the 5 can keep up with them well. The same actually applies to the luggage space, which in all cases remains around 300 liters and in the case of the Corsa is even more limited than in the Renault. The 5 also has a major advantage if you occasionally need to take something larger, because it can accommodate a cart weighing 500 kilograms. The 208 and Corsa may not tow anything, but that impressive ë-C3 actually trumps the Renault by 100 kg. Who would have thought that!

A table says more than 1,000 words, so the other differences between the Renault 5 E-Tech Electric, Citroën ë-C3, Peugeot e-208 and Opel Corsa Electric can be seen below. Which car do you think has the best chances in the electric B-segment?