Paris-Lyon Trip: Renault R5 40 kWh vs 52 kWh Comparison

Should you necessarily opt for a high-capacity, long-range version for travel? That’s the subject of this comparison between Renault R5.

Changing mentalities is difficult. The fear of running out of battery on an electric car is persistent. Thus, few drivers avoid digging deep into their pockets to afford a more expensive car with greater range. But what about the relevance? Mobiwisy has already demonstrated, through the same comparative exercise, that models with large batteries do not offer a decisive advantage. They reduce the number of stops, certainly… but barely shorten the trip duration, as recharging takes longer.

What about here, between the two battery versions of the new Renault R5? The best-seller from the Diamond brand comes in two capacities: 40 and 52 kWh. In other words, there is about a 100 km range difference between these two batteries… but on a mixed cycle. On the highway, this gap will be much smaller: around 75 km.

Let’s Talk Money!

The Renault R5 lineup is relatively simple, with 3 trim levels available until the end of December 2024. A 4th, named Five, will arrive in early 2025 at an even more attractive price of 23,000 euros, with a 2025 ecological bonus of 2,000 euros deducted (but with reduced equipment and power at 95 horsepower).

To compare the 40 and 52 kWh versions, let’s take the least expensive comparable trim: the Techno. With the smaller battery, called “Urban,” and the new 2025 ecological bonus of 2,000 euros, this starts at 27,990 euros. Power is 120 horsepower.

For the larger battery version called “Confort,” now with 150 horsepower (useless on the highway), the price rises to 31,490 euros, with the 2025 ecological bonus deducted here as well. That’s a significant difference of 3,500 euros. In WLTP cycle, Renault claims 312 km and 410 km ranges, respectively. We were close to the 100 km difference mentioned earlier…

What’s the verdict on the highway?

Starting with the 40 kWh version. To make the Paris-Lyon trip, about 466 km, it will take 5h25 (325 minutes) at a maximum speed of 125 km/h. This journey, beginning with a full charge at 100%, will be interrupted by 4 long stops of 15 to 17 minutes each (a total of 65 minutes stopped). It’s both little and a lot, because each break will occur roughly every 90 kilometers. Short hops where the desire for coffee or bathroom breaks will become increasingly rare…

During the trip, besides the initial 40 kWh, the Renault R5 will consume about 70 kWh in this scenario. Charging costs, at up to 0.59 euros per kWh, could result in a bill of up to 41.3 euros in the worst case.

Moving to the Renault R5 52 kWh. Here, only 2 charging stops of 26 and 22 minutes are needed (a total of 48 minutes stopped). A difference of 17 minutes, with a total travel time of 5h07 (307 minutes). Another difference: the total recharged energy is close to 60 kWh (compared to 70 kWh for the smaller battery) because of its higher energy density. Therefore, the charging cost could be around 35.5 euros, based on a 52 kWh starting charge, plus any additional charges at the end.

In the end, the time difference is again very small: about a 5.5% advantage for the larger battery version. It’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth paying an extra 3,500 euros at purchase for this Renault R5. From our perspective, and because this vehicle isn’t intended for frequent long trips, the answer is clear: NO!