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Renault R5 vs VW Golf Variant comparison

Compare performance (540 HP vs 333 HP), boot space and price (23,900 £ vs 26,100 £ ) at a glance. Find out which car is the better choice for you – Renault R5 or VW Golf Variant?

Renault R5 vs VW Golf Variant: Key differences

Renault R5

5 (1 Reviews)
rate
  • only slightly cheaper
  • noticeably more power
  • markedly quicker 0–100 km/h
details

VW Golf Variant

  • only slightly lighter
  • clearly more trunk space
details

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:

When it comes to price and running costs, the biggest differences usually appear. This is often where you see which car fits your budget better in the long run.

Renault R5 is only slightly cheaper – starting at 23,900 £ , while the VW Golf Variant costs 26,100 £ . That’s a price difference of around 2,224 £.

Golf Variant

Engine and Performance:

Under the bonnet, it becomes clear which model is tuned for sportiness and which one takes the lead when you hit the accelerator.

When it comes to engine power, the Renault R5 offers noticeably 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 markedly quicker – completing the sprint in 3.5 s, while the VW Golf Variant takes 4.8 s. That’s about 1.3 s quicker.

Looking at top speed, the Renault R5 is very slightly faster – reaching 270 km/h, while the VW Golf Variant tops out at 250 km/h. The difference is around 20 km/h.

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

R5

Space and Everyday Use:

Whether family car or daily driver – which one offers more room, flexibility and comfort?

Both vehicles offer seating for 5 people.

In terms of curb weight, VW Golf Variant is only slightly lighter – 1,366 kg compared to 1,447 kg. The difference is around 81 kg.

Looking at boot space, the VW Golf Variant offers clearly more boot space – 611 L compared to 326 L. That’s a difference of about 285 L.

For maximum load capacity, the VW Golf Variant offers markedly more capacity – up to 1,642 L, about 536 L more than the Renault R5.

When it comes to payload, the VW Golf Variant carries noticeably more – 547 kg compared to 418 kg. That’s a difference of about 129 kg.

Who wins the race in the data check?

The Renault R5 is decisively ahead 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
Renault Twingo
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Renault R5 and Renault Twingo go head-to-head as the ultimate city-car choices: the retro‑chic R5 brings bold styling and contemporary tech, while the cheeky Twingo trades flair for ultra‑agile practicality and clever packaging. Choosing between them isn’t about specs on paper so much as …
Renault R5
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The Renault 5 arrives as a cheeky retro reboot — compact, full of personality and perfect for nimble city living — while the VW ID.3 plays the sensible electric family car, offering more range, room and that reassuringly German calm. If you want fun and style for town runs choose the Renault 5; if …
Renault R5
VW Golf Variant

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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DDEACB99-545B-4C72-B12C-AB35E7B77365

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 Variant

The Golf Estate packs Volkswagen's familiar poise into a practical, grown-up estate that quietly makes everyday life easier without shouting for attention. It's clever, comfortable and roomy enough for weekend kit or family chaos, offering smart packaging and refined manners that make it a sensible and surprisingly stylish choice for buyers who need space but don't want a van.

details
DB2021AU00446_medium
DB2021AU00624_medium
DB2021AU00625_medium
DB2021AU00816_medium
DB2021AU00818_medium
DB2021AU00641_medium
DB2021AU00910_medium

Reviews VW Golf Variant

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

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The Clio is the sensible, all-weather hatch — efficient, tech-rich and practical for families and commuters who want a solid everyday car. The R5 is a cheeky retro reboot with electric city credentials and heaps of character — pick the Clio for logic and space, the R5 for style and smile-inducing …
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VW Golf Variant

Costs and Consumption
Price
23,900 - 137,100 £
Price
26,100 - 48,700 £
Consumption L/100km
-
Consumption L/100km
4.3 - 8.2 L/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
14.8 - 15.2 kWh/100km
Consumption kWh/100km
-
Electric Range
307 - 405 km
Electric Range
-
Battery Capacity
40 - 52 kWh
Battery Capacity
-
co2
0 g/km
co2
114 - 185 g/km
Fuel tank capacity
-
Fuel tank capacity
45 - 55 L

Dimensions and Body
Body Type
Hatchback
Body Type
Estate
Seats
2 - 5
Seats
5
Doors
3 - 5
Doors
5
Curb weight
1,447 - 1,524 kg
Curb weight
1,366 - 1,621 kg
Trunk capacity
326 L
Trunk capacity
611 L
Length
3,922 - 4,080 mm
Length
4,631 - 4,651 mm
Width
1,744 - 2,030 mm
Width
1,789 mm
Height
1,380 - 1,498 mm
Height
1,462 - 1,487 mm
Max trunk capacity
1,106 L
Max trunk capacity
1,624 - 1,642 L
Payload
396 - 418 kg
Payload
489 - 547 kg

Engine and Performance
Engine Type
Electric
Engine Type
Petrol MHEV, Petrol, Diesel
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
4.8 - 10.5 s
Max Speed
150 - 270 km/h
Max Speed
203 - 250 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, G, F, C
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.