The original Renault 4 of the ‘60s and ‘70s was conceived as a rival to the Citroen 2CV. This time round Renault has beaten its French rival to the punch with its revival of its small, family-friendly icon. The new 4 uses much of the same tech as the fabulously fun new Renault 5, including pretty much the same interior, so the 4 is as great to drive as it is to look at. I’ve tested it at length here in the UK to find out.
Once again, Renault has done a great job of designing a modern car with retro cues that don’t look like a pastiche. The proportions of the car, with the trademark rear three-quarter window, are in keeping with the old car, while plenty of the design details bring it bang up to date. It’s a real head turner.
