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Renault R5 vs VW Golf comparison

Compare performance (540 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (23,900 £ vs 25,200 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Renault R5 or VW Golf?

Renault R5 vs VW Golf: Key differences

Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly cheaper
  • visibly more power
  • clearly more electric range
  • visibly quicker 0–100 km/h

VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • a bit lighter
  • somewhat more trunk space

All details on performance, efficiency, range and trunk space can be found in the technical comparison below – including user reviews for both models.

By Achim Sedelmaier

Here’s where it gets real: The technical differences in detail

R5

Costs and Efficiency:

Looking at overall running costs, both models reveal some interesting differences in everyday economy.

Renault R5 is only slightly cheaper – starting at 23,900 £ , while the VW Golf costs 25,200 £ . That’s a price difference of around 1,281 £.

As for electric range, the Renault R5 offers clearly more range – reaching up to 405 km, about 262 km more than the VW Golf.

Golf

Engine and Performance:

Power, torque and acceleration are the classic benchmarks for car enthusiasts – and here, some clear differences start to show.

When it comes to engine power, the Renault R5 offers visibly more power – delivering 540 HP compared to 333 HP. That’s roughly 207 HP more horsepower.

When accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h, the Renault R5 is visibly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the VW Golf takes 4.6 s. That’s about 1.1 s quicker.

There’s no difference in top speed – both reach 270 km/h.

There’s also a difference in torque: the Renault R5 delivers substantially more torque with 4,800 Nm compared to 420 Nm. That’s about 4,380 Nm more.

R5

Space and Everyday Use:

Beyond pure performance, interior space and usability matter most in daily life. This is where you see which car is more practical and versatile.

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf is a bit lighter – 1,307 kg compared to 1,447 kg. The difference is around 140 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf offers somewhat more boot space – 381 L compared to 326 L. That’s a difference of about 55 L.

For maximum load capacity, the VW Golf offers a bit more capacity – up to 1,237 L, about 131 L more than the Renault R5.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf carries a bit more – 508 kg compared to 418 kg. That’s a difference of about 90 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Renault R5 stands well ahead of its rival in the objective data comparison.
This result only shows which model scores more points on paper – not which of the two cars feels right for you.

from £23,900
R5

Renault R5

  • Engine Type : Electric
  • Transmission : Automatic
  • Drive Type : Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
  • Power HP : 122 - 540 HP
  • Consumption kWh/100km : 14.8 - 15.2 kWh/100km
  • Electric Range : 307 - 405 km
details

Frequently compared as well

Renault R5
Nissan Micra
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The cheeky, retro-modern Renault 5 squares up against the urbane, sensible Nissan Micra — two compact contenders fighting for your city keys. We’ll compare style, practicality, driving feel and running costs to find out which is the smarter buy for everyday life.
VW Golf
VW T-Roc
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The VW Golf still sets the benchmark in the compact class — a composed, all‑round hatch that rewards drivers with precise steering, efficient engines and sensible practicality for daily life. The VW T‑Roc trades a bit of that pinch‑perfect poise for SUV style, a higher seating position and a …
Renault R5
VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
View detailed analysis

Engine and Performance
View detailed analysis

Dimensions and Body
View detailed analysis

Renault R5

The Renault 5 is a cheeky city car that marries retro charm with modern flair, its playful looks promising smiles before you even start the engine. Practical enough for daily life yet lively enough to make short trips feel like mini adventures, it’s an irresistible choice for buyers who prefer personality to bland practicality.

details
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Reviews Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
Walter
4 Nov 2025, 21:42:46

Practical, nimble, and fun to drive. For rather small drivers up to 1.75 m there's plenty of space even on the back seat. Useful driver-assist systems, and Android Auto works well. Very economical in summer. In winter a lot of energy is used in the first five minutes to bring the battery up to 20°C, which makes consumption on short winter trips very high.

VW Golf

The VW Golf remains the everyman’s favourite — cleverly balanced, composed and just posh enough to feel grown-up without pretending to be something it’s not. It slips through town and eats up longer trips with a refined cabin, practical layout and a kindly, capable character that turns everyday driving into something a little bit special.

details
DB2019AU02117_medium
DB2019AU02116_medium
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DB2019AU02082_medium
DB2019AU02081_medium
DB2019AU02087_medium
DB2019AU02105_medium

Reviews VW Golf

4.6 (1 Reviews)
rate

No reviews yet. Share your experience and help others decide.

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VW Golf

Costs and Consumption
Price
23,900 - 137,100 £
Price
25,200 - 47,600 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
1.1 - 8.1 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.8 - 15.2 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
307 - 405 km
Electric Range
131 - 143 km
Battery Capacity
40 - 52 kWh
Battery Capacity
19.7 kWh
co2
0 g/km
co2
25 - 184 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
40 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Hatchback
Seats
2 - 5
Seats
5
Doors
3 - 5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,447 - 1,524 kg
Curb weight
1,307 - 1,662 kg
Trunk capacity
326 L
Trunk capacity
273 - 381 L
Length
3,922 - 4,080 mm
Length
4,282 - 4,296 mm
Width
1,744 - 2,030 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
1,380 - 1,498 mm
Height
1,454 - 1,483 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,106 L
Max trunk capacity
1,129 - 1,237 L
Payload
396 - 418 kg
Payload
438 - 508 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel, Plugin Hybrid
Transmission
Automatic
Transmission
Automatic, Manuel
Transmission Detail
Reduction Gearbox
Transmission Detail
Dual-Clutch Automatic, Manual Gearbox
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, Rear-Wheel Drive
Drive Type
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Power HP
122 - 540 HP
Power HP
116 - 333 HP
Acceleration 0-100km/h
3.5 - 9 s
Acceleration 0-100km/h
4.6 - 10.2 s
Max Speed
150 - 270 km/h
Max Speed
203 - 270 km/h
Torque
225 - 4,800 Nm
Torque
220 - 420 Nm
Number of Cylinders
-
Number of Cylinders
4
Power kW
90 - 397 kW
Power kW
85 - 245 kW
Engine capacity
-
Engine capacity
1,498 - 1,984 cm3

General
Model Year
2,025 - 2,027
Model Year
2,024 - 2,025
CO2 Efficiency Class
A
CO2 Efficiency Class
D, F, G, C, B
Brand
Renault
Brand
VW
What drivetrain options does the Renault R5 have?

Available configurations include Front-Wheel Drive or Rear-Wheel Drive.

DriveDuel uses data analysis and artificial intelligence to evaluate vehicle data and create content. Content is regularly reviewed and improved. The displayed prices are estimates based on German list prices, adjusted to the respective country’s VAT. Country-specific registration taxes are not included. This information is not legally binding.