Renault 4 Plein Sud Review: Does the Folding Roof Add Extra Charm?
Renault has been riding a wave of retro-inspired success with the reborn Renault 4, a B-segment electric SUV that blends nostalgic design cues with thoroughly modern electric vehicle technology. Now, the French automaker is doubling down on that feelgood factor with the Renault 4 Plein Sud — a special variant that adds a fabric folding roof to the mix. But is this a genuine open-air revolution, or is Renault's marketing getting ahead of itself? We headed to the sun-drenched Catalonian mountains to find out.
What Is the Renault 4 Plein Sud?
The name "Plein Sud" translates roughly to "due south" in French — a fitting moniker for a car designed to evoke warm-weather driving pleasure. It is, at its core, the same best-selling Renault 4 electric crossover that has been turning heads since its relaunch, but fitted with a distinctive roll-back fabric roof that opens up the cabin to the elements.
Renault is positioning this as a convertible version of its popular EV, and it has been making quite a big deal of the launch. However, once you get up close and personal with the Plein Sud, it becomes clear that "convertible" might be a somewhat generous description. What you actually get is closer to a large fabric sunroof — think of the roll-back canvas roofs that older generations of the Renault Twingo offered — rather than a fully retractable hardtop or even a traditional soft-top cabriolet.
That said, this is not necessarily a dealbreaker. Managing expectations is key here, and once you calibrate what the Plein Sud is actually offering, there is plenty to appreciate.
The Folding Roof: Clever Engineering Without Compromise
One of the most impressive aspects of the Renault 4 Plein Sud is that the addition of the fabric roof does not appear to come with the structural trade-offs that typically accompany convertible body styles. Traditional open-top cars often suffer from increased weight, reduced rigidity, and a compromised boot — but Renault seems to have largely avoided these pitfalls by opting for the roll-back fabric approach rather than a fully retracting roof structure.
The mechanism itself feels well-engineered and straightforward to operate. Unlike the folding metal roofs found on cars such as the Mini Convertible, the Plein Sud's system is lighter and less mechanically complex, which bodes well for long-term reliability. The fabric rolls back smoothly, opening up the top of the cabin and flooding the interior with light and air without dramatically altering the silhouette of the car.
The result is a genuinely pleasant open-air experience that stops short of being a full convertible but comfortably surpasses what a standard panoramic sunroof can offer. In the warm Catalonian sunshine, with the roof rolled back and the mountain scenery stretching out on all sides, it feels entirely justified.
Driving the Renault 4 Plein Sud
Behind the wheel, the Plein Sud drives just like the standard Renault 4 — which is to say, very well for a B-segment electric SUV. The electric powertrain delivers smooth, responsive performance well-suited to both urban environments and more winding mountain roads. Renault has worked hard to make the Renault 4 a genuinely enjoyable drive, and the Plein Sud inherits all of that work without meaningful dilution.
Ride quality remains composed, and the steering is appropriately weighted for a car of this type. Wind noise with the roof open is noticeable at higher speeds, as you would expect, but at the relaxed pace that suits open-top motoring it is entirely manageable. The Catalonian mountain roads provided an ideal setting — twisting, scenic, and best enjoyed at a leisurely clip with the roof down and the sun overhead.
Refinement with the roof closed is also good. The fabric roof does not introduce any significant additional wind or road noise compared to the standard car, which is reassuring for buyers who plan to use the Plein Sud year-round.
Style and Retro Appeal
Visually, the Renault 4 Plein Sud is a genuinely attractive proposition. The retro-themed design of the standard car translates beautifully into this open-top format, recalling the spirit of the original Renault 4 while remaining unmistakably contemporary. The fabric roof, when visible, adds a tactile, characterful quality that suits the car's personality perfectly.
Renault has clearly put thought into colour and trim combinations for the Plein Sud, and early indications suggest it will be offered in a palette that plays up the car's sunny, lifestyle-oriented character. This is a car that looks like it belongs on a coastal road or a mountain pass, and it wears that identity comfortably.
Should You Buy the Renault 4 Plein Sud?
Whether the Renault 4 Plein Sud is worth it ultimately depends on what you are looking for. If you want a traditional open-top driving experience with a fully retractable roof and the wind in your hair at 70mph, this is not quite that car. The roll-back fabric roof is closer to a very generous sunroof, and buyers expecting a Mini Convertible rival may feel slightly shortchanged by the marketing language surrounding it.
However, if you love the Renault 4, want a little more open-air character, and appreciate that Renault has managed to add this feature without meaningful compromises to the car's practicality, weight, or driving dynamics, then the Plein Sud makes a compelling case for itself. It is charming, well-executed, and genuinely fun to drive in the right conditions.
- Retro design that suits the open-top format exceptionally well
- Fabric roof adds character without structural compromise
- Smooth, enjoyable electric powertrain carries over unchanged
- Best enjoyed at relaxed speeds on scenic routes
- Marketing slightly overstates the "convertible" credentials
The Renault 4 Plein Sud is available from around £27,000, making it an accessible entry point into open-air electric motoring. It may not be a full convertible, but it is a charming, characterful take on the concept — and in the Catalonian sunshine, that feels like more than enough.