[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"text":"Skip to ContentSkip to FooterSkip advertAdvertisementCar group testsHomeReviewsCar group testsRenault 4 vs Ford Puma Gen-E: can French fancy declaw its EV rival?We pitch the new Renault 4 EV against one of its chief small SUV rivals, Ford’s Puma Gen-E $\"\"$ By:Dean Gibson21 Jul 2025

21 Jul 2025

46There are two distinct routes that car makers can take to electrify their model line-ups. Depending on time frames and cost, some companies have been able to create bespoke electric car platforms, with scalable tech that can be adjusted to suit different requirements. That’s the path Renault has chosen with the R4, a car that follows hot on the heels of the numerically larger, but physically smaller, Renault 5 supermini.\nAdvertisement - Article continues belowAs the Captur is to the Clio, so the Renault 4 is to the 5, with its retro-inspired design adorning a larger SUV-style body that offers more space than the supermini’s, but also features virtually identical technology on board.\nThe second option is to electrify an existing combustion-engined platform. While Ford offers dedicated EV tech in its line-up, it has gone down this route with the new Ford Puma Gen-E, which is based on the firm’s best seller, but without a trace of combustion power.\nIn both instances, these small SUVs aim to deliver a usable range and decent everyday practicality in a package that is priced at a comparable point to the petrol-engined alternatives. But which one delivers the best overall experience?\nRenault 4 $\"Renault$ 46Model:Renault 4 E-Tech TechnoPrice:£28,995Powertrain:52kWh battery, 1x electric motor, 148bhp0-62mph:8.2 secondsTest efficiency:4.0 miles/kWhOfficial range:245 milesAnnual VED:£195Since the Renault 5 took design inspiration from the company’s back catalogue, the French firm couldn’t really do anything else with the SUV variant. The 4 is longer than the 5 hatchback overall and also has a longer wheelbase, so it’s better suited to family duties. Power comes from the larger 52kWh battery found in the supermini, while prices are competitive: they start from £27,000 for Evolution trim, while Techno (our pick) costs £29,000 and the top-spec Iconic model in our pictures is £31,000.\nTester's notesThe Renault 4 draws design inspiration from the firm’s back catalogue, but the E-Tech model is light years ahead in terms of quality. While the dash layout is identical to the R5’s, the separate climate controls and stubby infotainment stalk positioned lower down on the steering column will be familiar to anyone who has driven a modern Renault. It does mean the right side of the steering wheel is a little busy, with the infotainment control, the wiper stalk and drive selector all closely packed together.\nFord Puma Gen-E $\"Ford$ 46Model:Ford Puma Gen-E SelectPrice:£29,995Powertrain:43kWh battery, 1x electric motor, 166bhp0-62mph:0-62mph: 8.0 secondsTest efficiency:4.7 miles/kWhOfficial range:234 milesAnnual VED:£195While the petrol Puma offers a few engine choices and trim options, the Gen-E line-up has been kept simple. There’s just one powertrain, comprising a 53kWh battery (43kWh of which is usable) and a 166bhp electric motor that sends power to the front wheels. There are only two trim options, with the Select model coming in at five pounds under £30,000 and the higher-spec Premium costing £2,000 extra. However, even the base model tested here comes with a generous list of kit.\nTester's notesIt’s one thing testing electric cars in the summer months, but in winter, colder temperatures will take a chunk out of the Puma’s driving range. Ford mitigates against this by fitting the Gen-E with a heat pump as standard, which is surprising because it’s an option on the pricier Explorer and Capri. The Puma also comes with Ford’s excellent Quickclear windscreen, but a heated steering wheel and front seats are part of a £350 option pack. Most rival EVs feature these as standard as a quick way to get warm.\nAdvertisement - Article continues belowSkip advertAdvertisementSkip advertAdvertisement - Article continues belowUsed - available now $\"Range$ 2022 Land RoverRange Rover Sport35,547 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0LCash £36,644View Range Rover Sport $\"Juke\"$ 2015 NissanJuke39,870 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6LCash £10,149View Juke $\"Qashqai\"$ 2022 NissanQashqai23,366 milesManualPetrol1.3LCash £17,349View Qashqai $\"Golf\"$ 2024 VolkswagenGolf21,487 milesManualPetrol1.5LCash £16,023View GolfDid you know you can sell your car through Auto Express? We’ll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too.\nHead-to-headOn the roadThe Puma is one of the best-handling small SUVs in petrol guise, and despite being around 200kg heavier, the Gen-E retains that car’s fun character. In fact, the weight of the battery means it rides a bit more smoothly. It’s not as comfortable as the Renault 4, though, which offers a soft edge that promotes cruising comfort. In terms of acceleration, there’s not much in it, but the Puma feels punchier off the line.\nTech highlightsThe Renault’s cabin is carried over wholesale from the R5, so you get a modern-looking layout with plenty of tech and user-friendly details. It’s a similar story with the Puma Gen-E, which features the same 12-inch touchscreen display as the petrol version, although as with that car, the screen’s size and position mean that the steering wheel can end up obscuring some of the information nearest the driver.\n $\"Renault$ 46Price and runningBoth cars are great value for EVs, and it’s worth noting that the electric Puma costs less than some of the highest-spec versions of the petrol model. Efficiency was strong for both cars, but the Renault’s figure of 4.0mi/kWh was eclipsed by the Ford’s, at 4.7mi/kWh. It means that while the Puma has nearly 10kWh less of usable capacity, its actual driving range is similar to that of the Renault’s, at just over 200 miles on test.\nPracticalityThe Renault 4 is shorter than the Puma but has a longer wheelbase, while a wider cabin and taller roof mean it feels more spacious for back-seat passengers. A very low load lip is another benefit that the Renault carries over the Ford, but the Gen-E has the greater overall volume courtesy of its Gigabox, which is bigger than the petrol Puma’s Megabox. Surprisingly, the Ford also has under-bonnet storage – the Renault doesn’t.\nSafetyThere are four-star Euro NCAP safety ratings for both cars here, with the Puma’s score being carried over from the petrol version. On the R4, kit such as a door-opening warning and rear pedestrian-crossing alert when reversing are available solely on the top-spec version. The Puma only offers the latter, plus front parking sensors, adaptive cruise and blind-spot detection as part of a £950 Advanced Driver Assistance Pack.\nOwnershipWarranty coverage is only average for the Puma, with a typical three-year/60,000-mile plan offered, although it can be extended at extra cost. For the Renault 4 there is four years and 100,000 miles of cover. As for servicing, intervals are every 24 months for both cars, although the Renault has an 18,000-mile limit. Ford includes the first five years of servicing in the price of the Puma to help reduce costs even further.\nVerdictWinner: Renault 4 $\"Renault$ 46What you’re looking at here are possibly the two best small electric SUVs currently on sale, and choosing a winner is a tough call. However, we think that the Renault 4 has an advantage over the Ford, courtesy of its extra passenger space and slightly longer range.\nAdvertisement - Article continues belowSkip advertAdvertisementSkip advertAdvertisement - Article continues belowThe striking retro-inspired looks help the R4 to stand out from the crowd, while the user-friendly touchscreen tech is easy to live with and the boot offers a useful amount of space. We’d like to see faster DC charging, and rear space is still a little compromised, but overall the Renault 4 is a great small electric SUV.\nBUY A NEW RENAULT 4 NOW\nRunner-up: Ford Puma Gen-E $\"Ford$ 46Fans of the petrol Puma won’t be disappointed with the electrified version. The battery’s extra weight hasn’t impacted the handling too severely, and has actually boosted comfort a little, while no compromises have been made in terms of passenger or boot space. That does mean the back seats are still a little on the small side, but if you regularly travel two-up, then this won’t be an issue.\nMost impressive is the efficiency that the Puma returned on test, which made up for the relatively small battery. Add in competitive pricing, and the Gen-E deserves to sell well.\nBUY A NEW FORD PUMA GEN-E NOW\nPrices and specs Rernault 4Ford Puma Gen-EOur choiceRenault 4 TechnoFord Puma Gen-E SelectPrice of our choice/price as tested£28,995/£30,995£29,995/£29,995POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE Powertrain1x electric motor1x electric motorPower148bhp166bhpTorque245Nm290NmTransmissionSingle-speed/FWDSingle-speed/FWD0-62mph/top speed8.2 seconds/93mph8.0 seconds/99mphBattery capacity/usable52/52kWh53/43kWhOfficial range245 miles234 milesTest efficiency/range4.0mi/kWh/208 miles4.7mi/kWh/202 milesCharging100kW (15-80% in 30 mins)100kW (10-80% in 23 mins)DIMENSIONS Length/wheelbase4,144/2,624mm4,313/2,588mmWidth/height1,808/1,572mm1,805/1,555mmRear knee room560-810mm605-855mmRear headroom/elbow room950/1,400mm848/1,381mmBoot space (front/seats up/down)0/420/1,405 litres43/556/1,283 litresBoot length/width825/995mm725/1,000mmBoot lip height607mm765mmKerb weight/towing weight1,462/750kg1,563/750kgTurning circle10.8 metres10.5 metresCOSTS/OWNERSHIP Residual value (after 3yrs/36,000 miles)£16,248/52.42%£15,126/50.43%Depreciation£12,747£14,869Insurance group/quote/VED27/£576/£19519/£663/£195Three-year service cost£396£0 (5 years)Annual tax liability std/higher rate£174/£347£180/£359Annual fuel cost (10k miles)£643£547Basic warranty/recovery4yrs (100,000 miles)/3yrs3yrs (60,000 miles)/3yrsDriver Power manufacturer position6th23rdNCAP Adult/child/ped./assist/stars79/85/73/68/4 _ (2024)75/84/70/69/4_ (2022)EQUIPMENT Metallic paint/wheel size£800/17 inches£650/18 inchesParking sensors/cameraFront & rear/yesRear/yesSpare wheel/Isofix pointsRepair kit/twoRepair kit/twoKeyless entry & go/powered tailgateYes/noKeyless go/noLeather/heated seatsNo/noNo/£350Screen size/digital dashboard10.1 inches/yes12 inches/yesClimate control/panoramic sunroofYes/noYes/£1,100USBs/wireless chargingFour/noFour/yesWireless CarPlay/Android AutoYes/yesYes/yesBlind-spot warning/head-up displayNo/yes£950 pack/yesAdaptive cruise/steering assistYes/yes£950 pack/yesGreat small EV leasing deals $\"Mini$ Mini AcemanNew Mini AcemanFrom £286 ppm** $\"Skoda$ Skoda ElroqNew Skoda ElroqFrom £295 ppm** $\"Alfa$ Alfa Romeo JuniorNew Alfa Romeo JuniorFrom £389 ppm** $\"Peugeot$ Peugeot 2008New Peugeot 2008From £266 ppm** $\"KIA$ KIA EV3New KIA EV3From £367 ppm** $\"Volvo$ Volvo Ex30New Volvo Ex30From £475 ppm**Skip advertAdvertisementElectric carsSmall SUVsShare this on TwitterShare this on FacebookEmail $\"\"$ Dean GibsonSenior test editorDean has been part of the Auto Express team for more than 20 years, and has worked across nearly all departments, starting on magazine production, then moving to road tests and reviews. 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