Renault 5 E-Tech vs Volkswagen ID. Polo

Updated October 2026 · Real-world figures, not WLTP

Renault 5 E-Tech

5 E-Tech 40kWh 120hp (MY27)

£21,495 · 165 mi

Wins 8 of 11

Volkswagen ID. Polo

ID. Polo 85 kW - 37 kWh (MY27)

£22,445 · 152 mi

Wins 3 of 11

Our verdict

The Renault 5 E-Tech and Volkswagen ID. Polo are both electric hatchbacks in the small car class. The Renault 5 E-Tech starts at £21,495 in the UK and the Volkswagen ID. Polo at £22,445, comparing the cheapest version of each.

The 5 E-Tech goes further, with about 165 miles of real-world range against 152 for the ID. Polo. On top of that, it is £950 cheaper to buy new (£21,495 against £22,445) and is quicker, doing 0–62 mph in 9.0 s against 10.6 s.

The ID. Polo charges faster on a rapid charger (70 kW against 55 kW on average, 10–80%). On top of that, it has the bigger boot (441 litres against 326).

There's little between them on efficiency and warranty length (3 years).

Choose the Renault 5 E-Tech if you want the longest range and the lower price and the Volkswagen ID. Polo if you want quicker charging stops and more boot space.

Written from the figures below, comparing the cheapest UK version of each. Other versions can differ: open them in Compare to swap versions.

Renault 5 E-TechVolkswagen ID. Polo

Price

Price new: £21,495 (best)on sale now; £22,445on sale now
Used from (estimated): –too new; –too new
Price per mile of range: £131 (best); £147

Range and efficiency

Real-world range: 165 mi (best)265 km, estimate; 152 mi245 km, estimate
Range today, used (estimated): –; –
Efficiency: 4.1 mi/kWh (best)151 Wh/km, estimate; 4.1 mi/kWh153 Wh/km, estimate
Range with one 15-min stop: 173 mi (best)279 km; 170 mi273 km

Charging

Rapid charging: 55 kW10–80% average; 70 kW (best)10–80% average
Home (AC) charging: 11 kW; 11 kW
Charging plug: Type 2 CCS; Type 2 CCS
Vehicle-to-load (V2L): Yes; Yes
Vehicle-to-home (V2H): Yes; Yes
Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): Yes; Yes

Battery

Usable battery: 40 kWh (best); 37.5 kWh
Battery chemistry: NCM (nickel manganese cobalt); LFP (lithium iron phosphate)
Heat pump: Yes; Yes

Body and performance

Body style: Hatchback; Hatchback
Size class: B · Small car; B · Small car
Seats: 5; 5
Drive: Front-wheel drive; Front-wheel drive
0–62 mph: 9.0 s (best)0–100 km/h; 10.6 s0–100 km/h
Weight: 1,472 kg; 1,569 kg

Size

Length: 3.92 m12 ft 10 in; 4.05 m13 ft 4 in
Width (without mirrors): 1.81 m5 ft 11 in; 1.82 m5 ft 11 in
Width with mirrors: 2.02 m6 ft 8 in; 2.00 m6 ft 7 in
Height: 1.50 m4 ft 11 in; 1.53 m5 ft
Wheelbase: 2.54 m8 ft 4 in; 2.59 m8 ft 6 in

Practicality and safety

Boot space: 326 litres; 441 litres (best)
Towbar available: Yes; Yes
Towing (braked): 500 kg; 500 kg
Max payload: 468 kgpeople and luggage; 506 kg (best)people and luggage
Euro NCAP rating: 4 stars; –not tested yet

Warranty (UK)

Car warranty: 3 years (best)100,000 miles; 3 years60,000 miles
Battery warranty: 8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity; 8 years100,000 miles, 70% capacity
Passes to next owner: Not confirmed; Yes

Availability

Status: On sale new; On sale new
Model years: 2026 on; 2026 on

Green marks the better figure in each row. Range is a real-world estimate, not WLTP. Used prices are estimates. Warranty terms are UK terms from each maker’s website.