In Brief
The Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 2026 adds a sliding canvas roof to the lineup, delivering an open-air driving experience for a premium of €1,800 compared to the standard version. Its cabin remains unchanged, while still guaranteeing a level of comfort and practicality that rivals its urban and peri-urban ambitions. Despite the loss of the fixed roof, the reinforced structure keeps the weight gain to 19 kg and preserves driving dynamics and acoustic comfort. The homologated range reaches 392 km (388 km for the tested model), and rapid charging remains current. The high price remains its main drawback, but the “Plein Sud” stands out for its enjoyment and exclusivity.
Brace yourself. Not because the canvas roof of this new Renault 4 might blow away when opened, but because its price could well give you vertigo…
Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic: €37,290
Prices start at €37,290 for the Techno Plein Sud version and €39,290 in the Iconic finish. Add the roughly €2,000 worth of options on our test model, and the bill easily surpasses that of a brand-new Mini Cabriolet (albeit a gasoline one), which Renault’s little four would like to rival without saying so outright.
To soften the pill, there’s always Renault’s financing offers to check, and bring out the calculator to estimate the incentives you might be eligible for.
To unlock this Renault 4, the engineers at the Losange didn’t simply slice a roof opening in the ceiling. Integrating a sliding canvas roof required substantial development work to preserve the car’s structural qualities.
For this, Renault leaned on the expertise of French equipment supplier Webasto. The system rests on a double-thickness fabric guided electrically by dedicated rails. To compensate for the loss of rigidity from the absence of a metal roof, several structural elements were reinforced, notably some body panels and the roof architecture.
Even with these adaptations, the weight gain remains modest at 19 kg. The acoustics also received careful attention. With the roof closed, Renault claims only about a 4% increase in perceived noise at highway speeds versus a standard Renault 4 E-Tech.
Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic: €1,800 for a roof
€1,800 is the price for this fabric roof that replaces the metal panel quite nicely. With this equipment, the Renault 4 gains the exotic edge it might have been missing. Inside, nothing changes. The only notable evolution is a control near the overhead console that lets you open the canvas roof.
A sustained press slides it progressively toward the rear, while a quick tap triggers full opening. The opening is generous, measuring 80 cm in width and 92 cm in length, transforming the cabin ambiance.
With the roof open, light floods the interior, and all passengers enjoy it, including those in the back seats. Open roof, the cabin remains civil in terms of noise up to about 90 km/h, remains acceptable up to 110 km/h, after which turbulence and aerodynamic noise gradually dominate. In short, for long highway trips, it’s better to close the roof.
In this Iconic finish, the presentation is polished and features the full equipment. The dashboard, dominated by its twin digital screens, keeps a modern vibe, and the ergonomics are up to the mark.
Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic: 1,149 dm3 of cargo space
We continue to value the native integration of Google’s ecosystem in the infotainment. The interior room remains the same. Front-seat occupants benefit from good comfort, but rear-seat space is still a touch tight.
Good news: the integration of the foldable roof (in just two folds) did not alter any of the loading figures, including storage spaces and the trunk, which offers up to 1,149 dm³ of cargo volume (420 dm³ behind the rear seats).
And to haul your favorite surfboard, you can let it protrude through the roof opening or fold the front seatback to gain up to 2.20 m in depth. The Renault 4 E-Tech, Plein Sud or not, still uses a key fob design that’s starting to show its age.
Fortunately, it’s in your pocket to unlock the car and start it. Well, start… more precisely, to power it on by pressing a button. Then give a light push on the column-mounted gear selector behind the steering wheel before you go.
Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic: dynamic qualities
Even with the removal of its rigid roof, this convertible version does not lose any of the Renault 4’s characteristic dynamic traits. The steering is pleasant, and the regenerative braking lets you anticipate slowdowns and minimize braking effort (notably with One Pedal mode, but not exclusively).
Our test car wore the Extended Grip package with all-season tires. It’s a smart choice for versatility, but it introduces a slight drop in precision at higher speeds.
During acceleration, especially when the front wheels are still turned, the front end tends to seek grip as the electronics moderate its enthusiasm. That’s a direct consequence of the instantaneous torque delivered to the front wheels by an electric motor, but it’s a minor detail against the overall driving pleasure elsewhere.
The Plein Sud is only offered with the 150 hp electric motor paired to the 52 kWh battery. The official range is up to 392 km in mixed cycle, and 388 km for the version we tested.
Naturally, opening the roof raises consumption slightly. A trade-off that’s acceptable for the added enjoyment. On charging, there are no major changes to report.
The Renault 4 still uses an 11 kW onboard AC charger and accepts up to 100 kW DC charging, going from 15 to 80% in about 30 minutes. Here’s hoping that figure will rise soon—and the charging time fall accordingly.
Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic: the pros
- Exclusivity
- Equipment
- Overall enjoyment
Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic: the cons
- Price
- High-end finish only
- Charging time
Auto Journal verdict: 4/5
If only it weren’t so pricey, perhaps with a less spirited motor, it would embody even more of that dolce vita! We acknowledge Renault’s aim to make its R4 more desirable, wedged between the new Twingo and the star R5—the most practical of the bunch!
Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic: in measurements
Find our test drive of the Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud 50 hp / 52 kWh* Iconic in Auto Journal issue 1212, dated 25/06/2026.
Comparison Table
| Version | Price (€) | Powertrain | Battery (kWh) | Power (hp) | Autonomy (km) | Cargo volume (dm3) | AC Charge (kW) | DC Charge (kW) | 0-80% (min) | Roof weight (kg) | Sunroof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plein Sud Techno | €37,290 | Electric | 52 | 150 | 392 | 1,149 | 11 | 100 | 30 | 19 | Yes |
| Plein Sud Iconic | €39,290 | Electric | 52 | 150 | 388 | 1,149 | 11 | 100 | 30 | 19 | Yes |
The Essentials to Remember
- The Plein Sud version of the Renault 4 E-Tech features a sliding canvas roof for open-air driving.
- The extra roof costs €1,800 with a limited impact on weight (+19 kg).
- Autonomy reaches up to 392 km and maximum loading volume is 1,149 dm³.
- Cabin comfort and ergonomics are preserved, with careful acoustic insulation.
- Charging capacity goes up to 100 kW DC (from 15% to 80% in about 30 minutes).
- The high price and the availability restricted to the top trim are the main drawbacks, but exclusivity and driving enjoyment are on the table.
FAQ
How much is the surcharge for the canvas roof on the Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud?
The canvas sunroof costs an additional €1,800 on the Plein Sud version.
Is cabin comfort preserved with the canvas roof?
With the roof closed, the noise gap is only about 4% compared with the standard version, and comfort remains satisfactory up to 90 km/h with the roof open.
What is the range of the Renault 4 E-Tech Plein Sud?
The official range reaches 392 km in mixed cycle, and 388 km for the tested configuration.
Is cargo volume affected by the foldable roof?
No, the loading capacity remains unchanged at up to 1,149 dm3, with 420 dm3 behind the rear seats.
How long does it take to recharge from 15% to 80%?
Charging from 15% to 80% takes about 30 minutes with a 100 kW DC fast charger.
