New Renault 5 Review - why the R5 is bringing FUN back to new cars and driving.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- NEW Renault 5 Driving Review with Radio 1 Greg James - Is this the best small car of 2024? In this episode Jonny Smith heads to Nice with French car fanatic and EV (BMW i3) driver Greg James to finally experience driving Renault's ground up £23,000, 255-mile range 5 door R5. What do they they think?
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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98
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CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
#thelatebrakeshow #4k
This was f'in magic. The banter was hilarious. My wife commented "what the F are you laughing about?" (I am using headphones). Serious Top Gear vibes (the moment when TG realized that the real money was in their road trips and challenges!!) A subscriber of TLBS for many moons (been a Jonny faithful since 5th Gear) so he is stuck with me for life but, the addition of Greg just takes things to another level. Lightning in a bottle, gents! Merci infiniment!
This feels more like a date than a car review
Haha yes great chemistry going on making a great film.
Brilliant camera work, and a great edit for sure, and doubtless also a pretty good EV. But having looked through the comments, I appear to be out of step with the majority in feeling Greg James was trying too hard. He reminded me horribly of Chris Evans during his tragic season on Top Gear.
Yes was the mountain they drove up called ‘Broke Back’ or should we say ‘Casse Derrière’?😂
They make a great couple, date or not... There is just good chemistry going on and the video shows it well.
And it's wonderful
The bromance is truly blossoming. Greg needs to become a Late Brake Show regular - this was a lot of fun.
This is the kind of EV we need. Small, not stupidly priced, fun and simple. I'm all for it. Could end up being my first EV. They deserve to sell tons of them.
What a pair of absolute flutes, that was very entertaining. You need to get Greg back on the S&S podcast again with the three of you at least slightly tipsy.
Conversion just flows 😂
The SSG show
A lower key modern Top Gear Smith, Sniff and Gregg.
Just slightly tipsy? - I think you may have been listening to a different podcast they were absolutely hammered!!
Good review but a Renault love in. To call the R5 the French mini when there was/is the Peugeot 205/206/207and 208 as well as the Citroen Saxo and C2 doesn't run with me.
This deserves to be a massive hit. I'd love one. I'd go green because last time I sucked on a lemon I had a coughing fit for an hour.
What an absolute bloody breath of fresh air to see a small, colourful car. And Google OS means the infotainment (and route planning) is far better than most EVs.
There are already thousands of pre orders, allegedly....
Whoever was doing the external camera work earned their pennies in this.
Those shots were sumptuous
Web journos get given a bunch of stock footage for their content. Good isn't it!
It’s not an SUV! it’s actually a car sized car so gets my vote 👍
The e208 GT was totally underrated.
Maybe it's nostalgia but I think this is absolutely the best car to have been released for decades.
If I didn't live in an apartment building with no chargers in the garage I'd be getting one. I'm seriously considering moving so I can get one.
The chat GPT questions at the end were hilarious!😂
The very first electric car a could see myself in, great review.
First time I saw pictures of the new 5, I loved it. The more I see it, the more I want one, it looks great from all angles; they've nailed it! Ford are gonna regret scrapping the Fiesta!
Deffo ! Maybe they’ll bring it back if got any sense fiesta st ev would be epic
What a lovely friendship you two have! And I no longer feel I’m alone with my car geek knowledge of Renaults and France.
My wife saw your video on the launch (after I sent it to her) and we now have a R5 Pass payment paid so she is on the priority list to order hers. Really looking forward to this one and yes we are being bold and going for yellow! The ordering experience also makes you feel like you are buying something special, as not long after making the payment she got a call from the concierge at Renault to discuss the process and to arrange to send out a 1:43 scale miniature Renault 5 model.
That's brilliant to hear. 👍🏽
Johnny needs a partner for some of his videos, the banter between these two was fun to watch!
Epic segment gents. Lovin' the symmetry and quirky humour you have brought to the exposay of the evolved Renault. Bring on Porter and you have a winning combination new TOP GEAR cast🎉
Informative and funny without being false, just two ssg’s with a French car affliction.
Not often (ever) my other half approves of watching a car review on a Saturday night, but she’s decided green is for her, until the Twingo comes out (Greg’s comments on the original caused a swoon).
Keep up the good work.
Can't believe you're in a yellow r5 and there hasn't been any Ali G references yet
Jungle is massive!
Put yellow glasses and a red beanie on Johnnys head and you get Ali G 😄
A French car I'd consider buying because, in theory, it shouldn't break down because it's electric. I love the French styling too.
Great review gents🙂
Greg James taste in cars it spot on… My obsession is the same just for French cars of and earlier period. Great stuff! Thank you!!
I won't repeat my comment left on Patreon, that's just for the select (not so) few, but hugely pleased to see that Mr James has gone full 90s French Exchange student with his jacket option.
they are so close to Alien Green and Liquid Yellow from the 200 Clio which are two of the best colours ever put on a car ! 🤩🥰
Owning a Mk7 Golf GT from new and being75 its going to see my driving days out. BUT, after watching this I'm seriously thinking of one of these, in green. Both my daughters have VW Buzz' and I turned my nose up a bit re EVs,, until now.
I had a burgundy Renault 25 2.0 GTS in 1992 when I was 18. I put 3 spoke alloys on it as they were cool in the early 90's. GREAT car!
I do recognise the interior roof pattern and dash pattern... from my old P reg 5 back in the day ... brilliant 😊
"Oh dear! That must have hurt! Please seek medical attention as soon as possible!"... I completely lost my sheet...
Love this! You and Greg are fantastic together and it really made me want the R5
It's a great product Kevin. Renault's mojo is definitely here at a time when the Germans are down on their luck.
I’m usually against EV’s because old school but I think this 5 is absolutely amazing. Love everything about it! Great video, you guys have the perfect chemistry.
This comment means such a lot. Thank you for sharing.
No-one else seems to have commented but the B-roll on this is absolutely superb. What a commitment to the camera work. Well done. Oh and I also want one of these cars ...
Absolutely peak entertainment, if this video was 3 times longer I'd still watch it. Somehow you managed to sneak in an informative car review into this. Chapeau.
Why doesn't this have more views already.
Great production.
Great car.
Really likable and funny presenters.
What's not to like?
Good question. Thank you. Bloody algorithm.
Really enjoyed that episode as a enjoyer of French cars who fell in love with a Twingo on Holiday as a child and who's first car was also a Cilo. I think the how well the new car does really depends on the price
I really hope this lives up to the hype, its a fantastic looking thing and exactly what the EV market needs in the face of hugely expensive and lardy SUV's and Chinese imports (I won't buy another one of those after having had an MG4 for two years). I love the interior and the ability to turn off annoying "driver assistance robots" with a single button an amazing bit of thoughtfulness in the design.
I'm with team yellow on this one, and I should I get one, I would order it with the baguette basket.
Great, great episode of TLBS. Love that Greg joined - such natural flow of conversation. And very fun.
Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for watching.
I really enjoyed this. Never been sold on the EV thing until this popped up. Great design touches, competitive pricing and not an SUV. Im seriously considering a purchase.
Cheers Jonny and Greg
Great episode. Two goof balls in the south of France devouring tasty treats while tooling around in a very French ride. What’s not to like!?!? Gotta bring Greg back for the next review on the continent.
The chemistry between you guys was highly entertaining, keep bringing him back please 😉 The Renault 5 will be such an amazing used car to get, but I am still only dreaming of an i3 first 🤪
@Greg ...my mate had a Laguna in the dark metallic red .full leather , I got in and said " this is the most comfortable car I've ever sat in ". That was 20 plus years ago and it's not been beaten. ...I still think about it.
I learned the existence of Greg James about 1.5 years ago, while on holiday in England he had to find his fellow colleagues again on radio. Since then I still like to listen to BBC 1 sometimes.. You guys together are a hit too!! There should be a series, Greg & Jonny on Tour whatever.. Finding the best groths (?) in Europe , this chemistry is too good, it can't stop !
The cinematography of this video was brilliant, with great drone shots. Looks like a major step up on your previous videos. Nice job!
Most fun car I ever had was a Renault 5 1.7 GTX. Weighed nothing but with enough go in the engine to make it drive like a rally car. On top of that, it had four doors so could be loaded up with surfboards and mates for weekends away. Now I’m in a 10 year old C4 Grand Picasso that still fits the surfboards in and the kids. French utilitarian design is ace.
I had a Renault 5 Gordini, and it spent 18 months shorting its wiring system. Indicate left or right and the wipers worked. Flash the headlights and the horn worked. Great fun. At, but the worst wiring loom in history. Sadly.
Being in my late 50’s, I didn’t know who Greg was until I saw him on your channel, with his M5. What a top bloke he is! One of us for sure and his love of old, French tat and his love for the South of France is so endearing. And he’s from Epping, so he’s basically a neighbour of mine 😂 More Greg and Jonny, please?!? 🇫🇷🙏🏼
How does Greg James know about the Vel Satis?! And what it is a abbreviation of?! Excellent car knowledge. I've realised my video on my Vel Satis was called 'Velocity and Satisfaction guaranteed', maybe Greg James has seen my video and quoted it ? :P
Listen to Radio 1 a lot, never realised that Greg James was a car (and french car fan) and his knowledge was quite impressive considering!
I'm a big Renault fan, I dont think Renault should be doing retro, they've always looked forwards, but as a car, the Renault 5 looks great, is priced great, is a sensible size and has the right equipment and performance, this will be everywhere.
th-cam.com/video/MeBhlsqKpuA/w-d-xo.htmlsi=71BsPTLQB0Sp8GFH
Best car review I've seen for ages. Made me smile.
Gentleman. This was fantastic. And, as a side, it is really making me want the Smith n Sniff vids to make a comeback.
Oh, and I desperately want an R5. In lime. (Sorry Team Lemon)
Looks like a great car, very pretty and innovative and obviously retro except I’m not into EVs, I feel Renault are putting all their efforts into EVs. I drove Meganes for years and then went to Arkana for a very short time as didn’t want EV, now onto Lexus LBX petrol Hybrid and funny a bi tone black yellow which is similar to this one! We had a Renault 25 when I was a youngster too and we loved it, the most comfortable car ever!
How has this only just happened. I want Greg and Johnny going to look at old French cars every week!
That's one of the best car reviews I've seen this year! Charming, informative and yet fun - by a lot!
superb videography and facinating dialogue. oh cockerel! had a clio, got a mini now and another item on earth to wish for especially its frenchie! bonjour
Superb review and car to match.
Totally agree on the sunroof. And a manual one too to add to retro feel.
My Dad had the Gordini version. Loved it.
This is the EV of the decade so far. Low starting price with different power outputs and a hot version with extra hot version. Renault nailed it
Shame it will never see USA or Canada
Agreed, but I'm really hoping it does come to Canada as we don't have anything close to this available.
@@jamespaul2587 I just reviewed this car in the UK on my channel. I said this car would sell well in Canada, especially Quebec. Sadly it won’t happen
@@simplygregsterev Thanks Greg, I just checked out your review and channel and subd. It's great to see another Canadian EV channel, and I share your sadness that this won't make it to Canada, but we can always hope! A friend of mine had a LeCar years ago, and it was an awesome little car. I'm so tired of all the oversized, overweight and overpriced EV SUVs we have currently, we really need some compact options.
@@jamespaul2587 The R5 I feel was an icon here as well in many ways. They were everywhere. For myself I have both old ball compact EVs. 23 Mini S Electric and 24 Fiat 500e. Thanks for sub!
The hot version needs a combustion engine otherwise I agree
Johnny, can we have more like this? This is one good laugh.
I would pay for a season of this in France. Much like the Coogan/Brydon series 😂
We can but try to get close to those two, but it's certainly a lot of fun
but less ego to swallow
you could have the actual Michael Caine pop up from the back seat
@@fondu-designYeah, why don't you try to convince him to.....?
10/10 for Jonny colour coordinating his shoes with the cars 👌🏼
The Renault 25 was a Renault 16 with extra space and grace!! My favourite Renault was the Zoe I had since 2020 to 2024. It was fun to drive, comfortable and spacious everywhere including the boot, in which I stored my folding electric bike!!
Oh, and I've started googling Laguna coupés and Avantimes for sale now... Thanks a lot! 😜 😂
A very enjoyable yet informative video, I think the outro at the end was hilarious.
What a fabulous pairing.
Forget the car, I loved the chatter. Would love to see more of you two talking French cars. My dad had a Renault 25 too. I was obsessed and still have the brochures. Remember the Baccara version, felt like ultimate luxury.
Now this is a video that's made cooking so much more easier. Thank you Jonny, and thank you Gregg, you two are my favourite presenters ❤
Many thanks!
This was highly entertaining. A car review, comedy show, and travel show all in one. Also a great car.
Hey Jonny, i just wanted to say that the manditory sound of EVs at low speed is called "the choir of the dead" by us! Honestly, it's like being followed around by a group of ghosts!
I say this too!
C’est magnifique! Seeing 2 mates having fun in France reviewing a little French EV is so joyous.
Think we need to see Greg doing more car reviews!
Im 53 yrs old and listen to GJ every morning, the moment he says bye , i turn off. He has the ability to make broadcasting appear effortless.
That's nice
As an 80s boy, I love a great hot hatch including the Renault 5 and the Peugeot 205 of the era.
This new R5 looks superb. The bombshell for me is the Roland Garros edition, with great memories of the Roland Garros trim on old Peugeots and the super classy metallic green. Renault are missing a trick not nicking the Roland Garros green for the new 5.
One of the most enjoyable pieces of car related content I’ve watched this year, more of it please 👌🏻
Oh that last Chat GPT-bit made me laugh so hard😅
Great video Jonny & Greg!
You two, I'm dying the Renault PaperClip is hilarious 🤣😂
I think this has to be the best car review I've seen, absolutely perfect. Reminds me of the old Smith & Sniff ones you did with Richard, we need all 3 of you in the car.
There's so much fun in this car, I really like the bumpy roof lining, the little details, the colours are great. I agree cars need to be in fun colours.
I'd love a blue one as it's my favourite colour, the Alpine looks lush though between green and yellow, I'd choose yellow.
I'm loyal to Smart car however the Twingo could sway me if that comes to the UK otherwise the Thunderbird 5 would be just as fun.
This surely is Renault's moment back in the big time. If this doesn't sell in huge numbers then there is absolutely no justice!
Commenting to help le Alain Gorhythm… Sweet sweet video you pair of SSGs, will be test driving one of these as soon as I can. Hope Renault now update their website so you can configure a car.
Go well!
😀That was the best review i’ve seen in a long time, these two just gel perfectly. I’ve never been a fan of French cars, but this recreation just hits the spot perfectly, unlike the Mini which has become so ugly. Renault have a winner on their hands and I’d even buy one. 👌
Great drive, great review, great video. Also? Great car! We need something like this in the US so there can be an EV normal people can buy that isn't a great hulking lump of steel or a badly built streamlined trash bin. A decent regular car for regular people to do stuff like drive to work and get groceries. Imagine!
Best review of this car, made me laugh, but really informative, very entertaining.
Well Mr Smith the first car I brought with my own money as a young lad was a Renault 5 GT Turbo in that exact blue and I loved that car but when I first saw press pictures of this new R5 I thought that that is a car I would love regardless of being an EV or not love it..
Top video Jonny and Greg. Love Greg and the Trailfinders!
It was a properly enjoyable Sunday evening watch this.
Cheers v much 🤘🏽
Great video. And with the R5 on it as a bonus! I felt as part of the conversation, as the nostalgia was flowing through. I had one Super 5 (from my dad), two original Twingos (one with the Initiale trim) and I really, really want one of these R5s. Amazing job, Renault and amazing Johny. I agree with many of the comments, you two should have a series just going through Europe in a nostalgic trip.
All Greg heard before the trip was New Renault 5, South of France and Le Mans...and he was in. Little did he know that Le Lime would also be on the itinerary.
17:11 I had a Laguna on loan once, while my Clio was in the shop. It was a Laguna without powered steering. The muscles I had after driving that road-ship around for a few days were impressive.
A very enjoyable 46 minutes and 40 seconds! I'm on team green, but the yellow and gray interior looks spectacular.
Oh and nice period-correct digital watch!
Amazing episode, and thank you. Messing with Reno at the end? Chef's kiss. 😊
Not many things on the road in France can beat a Dacia Duster. On the autoroute, those bad boys just fly. Always gunning it.
1993, made redundant, bought an R5 turbo with the payout. Best decision ever. Great video, thanks CP and hello from the tortoises.
11:11 clicking on the running lights to make the video go full screen
What a laugh!
After seeing you guys having fun in the 5 I'm so pleased I've bought my R5 Pass.
I can't wait to get hold of my car.
Rekindling the spirit of my much-missed '87 GT Turbo.
Americans won’t understand the size of your coffee at all
When you have proper coffee you don’t need to drink it by the gallon 😂
@@DanM012324 they still subscribe to ‘bigger is better, more is more” but it is slowly changing. Last 10 years big progress in coffee shops in major cities
Jonny, I was selling Renault when the R5 was launched. There were 2 launch colours. A lime green and a terracotta orange. They had colour matched patent (very shiny) upholstery. Virtually every one bought for a female owner/driver came with the request. “Where can I buy a matching handbag”. They shocked the industry. I can’t remember any car that was sold in such bright colours. Later the 15 & 17 were available in those colours too.
Great video. I’m really excited for the new 5, think they’ve nailed it and hope it sells big. Will definitely be strong contender for my next car.
Agree. We think Renault has been putting all the effort in, without losing the passion. The Germans on the other hand...
this was a good good video. looks like you both really enjoyed it. im liking the direction renault has taken with the ev thing. fits my cup of tea
More Jonny and James cocking around videos please 😂
Thanks guys.....really enjoyed this episode, it was super chilled and feel-good yet paced well, genuine and funny. I genuinely lol'd at the outtakes, which is rare when watching over-forced YT vids.
This looks like it might be the successor to my dirt cheap 2nd hand e-Golf (which, rather unexpectedly, I find delightful to drive). I wonder how significant V2G will become?
E Golf is better than the ID series. Older tech, but a better car.
British roads full of these and not ego powered grey German SUVs would be a joy.
Brilliant Greg James definitely needs to be on the channel more both work really well together brilliant video
great friendly chat amongst mates on a trip, with a bit of car review thrown in too.
Merci pour vis avis sur le Renault 5. C’était mon premier voiture, je suis très content de le revoir.
Greg James feels like he's been doing these videos for years. If the BBC ever wants to make a car based TV show, they should get Greg James to host it.
Sweat sweat Gregg. Love it, deposit in green wanted. You can keep the lemon, look up staines massive !
Entertaining and informative review. You 2 are fantastic together. 1st time I've said this about an electric car - I want one.
I hope they come out with a gordini trim. That would be awesome. Bright blue with the stripes.
That's reserved for the Alpine A290
@@TheLateBrakeShow Yeah i figured. But that looks a bit too aggressive in my opinion. Just the gordini blue and the stripes on the normal trim would look stunning. But I'm really happy they've offered the bright green and yellow. I hope people buy lots of them in those colours. I'm so tired of the endless sea of black and gray crossovers on the roads today. We need some colour!
Video of the year. Greg and Jonny do car nerding to the next level. Loved it