Renault Zoe review

When the Renault Zoe was first introduced in 2012, it soon became the new benchmark for small, electric cars. An affordable price, attractive style and that all-important decent battery range made it a tempting alternative to the larger Nissan Leaf. 

The latest model offers even more to write home about, with a battery range of up to 233 miles according to official figures. There’s a choice of two electric motors, too: a 109bhp unit (badged R110) and a more powerful R135 with 134bhp.

One thing that sets the Zoe apart from its competitors is the option to lease its battery from Renault. 2020 pricing is still to be confirmed, but, as doing so substantially reduces the Zoe’s up-front purchase cost, leasing is potentially a more attractive proposition than buying the car and its battery outright. Of course, you still get a £3500 Government grant to support your electric car purchase.

You can also pay a bit extra for the ability to use rapid 50kW DC charging points, which allow the Zoe to be charged from 0-80% in just over an hour. A regular 22kW public charger will give you a full charge in three hours, while a home wallbox (provided free from Renault) can do it in about nine and a half hours. 

The latest Zoe has come a long way from the original model inside, too. Its interior materials have been improved and its infotainment system heavily upgraded to bring it much closer to the standards of plush rivals such as the Volkswagen e-Golf and even the BMW i3. 

The electric car market is moving full steam ahead, though, and hotly anticipated rivals such as the Honda E and Mini Electric are due to hit the market in 2020. Does the Zoe have enough appeal to keep the newcomers at bay?

Read on over the next few pages for everything you could possibly want to know about the Zoe. We'll tell you which rivals are worth considering and which trim levels make the most sense. And, if you’ve decided to switch to electricity for your next set of wheels, head to our New Car Buying pages for a pain-free purchase experience.