Item: Renault Zoe
Rating: 3
Author: Steve Huntingford

Audi E-tron Sportback

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Renault Zoe

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Tesla Model X

Toyota Mirai

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

The Zoe is priced roughly in line with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n20228">Peugeot e-208</a>. If you're buying on PCP finance, Renault usually offers&nbsp;cheaper monthly repayments than those rivals, although expect to pay even less per month for an MG4 Long Range.

Renault as a brand came 18th out of 32&nbsp;manufacturers in the 2022&nbsp;What Car? Reliability Survey, with the Zoe itself coming mid table in the electric car class. Every new Renault comes with a five-year warranty. There’s no mileage limit for the first two years, but a 100,000-mile limit applies thereafter.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the Zoe's battery is covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.

Sadly, the&nbsp;Zoe scored a shocking zero stars for safety when it was assessed by <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/the-safest-cars-on-sale-today/n19724">Euro NCAP</a>. Disappointingly, automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a> isn't available (even as an option) on any trim level, leading the the safety organisation to castigate Renault for its decision to 'debase' safety.&nbsp;

Of those the two trim&nbsp;levels, we reckon cheaper Techno makes more sense. You get 16in alloys, automatic climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, along with all of the infotainment gadgetry we mentioned earlier.

Stepping up to to Iconic trim adds 17in alloys and a CCS socket (optional on Techno trim) for faster charging, but also pushes up the price significantly.&nbsp;

With the ability to charge from a CCS point, the Zoe's battery can be topped up&nbsp;from 10-80% in just under an hour at speeds of up to 50kW. Without this option, a 22kW Type 2 charger will give you a full charge in around three hours, while it'll take about 8.5 hours for a full charge using a typical 7kW wallbox at home.

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One of the great benefits of <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a> is that they have just one gear, so smooth, nippy acceleration is on tap the instant you squeeze the accelerator pedal. This slightly eerie, uninterrupted stream of power is what makes the Zoe relaxing but, surprisingly, also quite enjoyable to drive around town. Mind you, the grabby brakes can frustrate by making it difficult to slow your progress smoothly.

The cause of this frustration is the Zoe's regenerative braking system, which recovers energy that would otherwise be wasted when slowing down, and converts it to electricity to feed back into the battery.

As well as working when you press the brake pedal, it's also engaged to some degree when you simply lift off the accelerator pedal. If the mode selector is set to 'D', the slowing effect is quite gentle, but move it to 'B' and it becomes more marked. After a bit of practice, using 'B' mode will allow you to do large parts of your journey without using the brake pedal at all.

The Zoe has a 134bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels. Acceleration is surprisingly nippy, especially at town speeds, although with a 0-62mph time of 9.5sec, plenty of rivals – including the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG4</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n20228">Peugeot e-208</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;will get you up to motorway speeds in less time.&nbsp;

The Zoe turns into corners keenly enough, helped by light and reasonably precise steering, and there’s plenty of grip spread evenly front to rear. There's more body lean through bends than there is in the Mini Electric and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>&nbsp;but it handles more tidily than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/vauxhall/corsa/hatchback/review/n21183">Vauxhall Corsa-e</a>.

Ride comfort is reasonable&nbsp;at low speeds, with broken road surfaces absorbed effectively enough – even potholes don't send a nasty jolt through to your backside. Overall, it's also less fractious than the firmer Mini Electric, and the&nbsp;Fiat 500 also has choppier ride, although if comfort is a top priority, the MG4 and Peugeot e-208 are even more agreeable.

Compared with most petrol and diesel rivals, the Zoe is pretty quiet, largely because there's no combustion engine chugging away under the bonnet – just a subtle whine from the electric motor and a strange whirring at low speeds to warn pedestrians of its presence. However, by electric car standards, the Zoe isn't actually that refined, generating more wind and road noise than rivals such as the e-208.

The Zoe does, however, beat most rivals for range.&nbsp;The official figures suggest between 223 to 239&nbsp;miles on a full charge is possible (it varies slightly depending on which trim level you go for), but even <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> acknowledges that these numbers are very optimistic.

Still, in our own independent tests on a warm July day, the Zoe managed 208 miles on a full charge. That’s almost twice as far as you'll get in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/honda-e/hatchback/review/n20882">Honda E</a>, Mini Electric or Peugeot e-208, although the MG4 Long Range can go even further on a charge.

As with all electric cars, the Zoe's maximum range will be significantly shorter in the winter (cold temperatures&nbsp;aren't good for battery performance). Expect around 160-170 miles from a charge as long as you aren't thrashing it down a motorway for extended periods.

Fuel 

Gearbox

0-62 MPH

The Zoe has a 134bhp electric motor that drives the front wheels. Acceleration is surprisingly nippy – especially at town speeds – although with a 0-62mph time of 9.5sec, plenty of rivals will get you up to motorway speeds in less time. 



http://example.com

R135

100kw

The Renault Zoe sets out to resolve two of the most common complaints about <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric cars</a>: the high price and the often feeble range between charges.

This five-door&nbsp;hatchback can do 200 miles on a full charge in warm weather, costs less to buy than many rivals and comes with plenty of standard equipment, including a wall-mounted 7kW charger installed at your home.

It's been around for almost a decade, but <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> has made regular improvements over the years, upping the&nbsp;interior quality and infotainment gadgetry, lengthening the range between charges&nbsp;and boosting performance.

You can pay a bit extra for the ability to use rapid CCS public charging points, from which the Zoe can be&nbsp;charged from 10-80% in just under an hour. Without this option added, a 22kW public charger will give you a full charge in around three hours, while it'll take about 8.5 hours for a full charge using a typical&nbsp;wall box at home.

The Renault Zoe's main rivals are the similar-sized<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/honda-e/hatchback/review/n20882"> </a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/honda-e/hatchback/review/n20882">Honda E</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a>&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n20228">Peugeot e-208</a>&nbsp;as well as the larger but closely priced <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG4</a>. So,&nbsp;how does the Zoe&nbsp;stack up against those alternatives in the areas likely to matter most to electric car buyers? Over the next few pages we'll tell you everything you could possibly want to know.

Once you've chosen the electric car you'd like to buy, or even if you decide it's too early to make the switch and end up buying a petrol or diesel instead, use our free <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">What Car?&nbsp;New Car Deals</a> service&nbsp;to find the best prices. There are lots of tempting <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals/category/electric">new electric car deals</a>.

You sit quite high up in the Renault Zoe, and the fact that the driver's seat can't be lowered might prove an annoyance if you're tall. However, there’s otherwise enough adjustment in the seat and steering wheel to allow most people to get comfortable.

The view out of the front is largely unobstructed, but the rear pillars block some of the view when you’re looking back over your shoulder. Happily, all versions come with a rear-view camera to mitigate this and help with parking.

Although it’s a small and fairly cheap <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">electric car</a>&nbsp;the Zoe does a decent job of masking that with a smart-looking and reasonably high quality interior, although you will notice a few drab plastics and some flimsy-feeling air vents.&nbsp;Overall, the Zoe&nbsp;isn't a patch on the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mazda/mx-30/hatchback/review/n22066">Mazda MX-30</a> or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910">Mini Electric</a> for interior quality.

Both&nbsp;trim levels (Techno and Iconic) come with&nbsp;a 9.3in touchscreen&nbsp;infotainment system that’s located in the middle of the dashboard. It's reasonably intuitive to use, thanks to a logical layout and sharp graphics. <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> and<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193"> Apple CarPlay</a> smartphone mirroring come as standard.

The air conditioning controls are worth a mention, too. They're a combination of physical buttons and dials, so you don't have to stab away at a touchscreen just to tweak the interior temperature, like you do in the e-208.

All trims get a crisp 10.0in digital display behind the steering wheel, rather than conventional instrument dials. You can set this display to show a cute graphic of a leaf that grows and shrinks depending on how efficiently you’re driving, along with providing detailed statistics.

Hatchback

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

A good all-rounder blighted by a terrible Euro NCAP safety rating

There’s plenty of space in the front of the Renault Zoe for tall adults to get comfy, and storage is generous&nbsp;too. There's a convenient tray below the touchscreen to stow your phone, a couple of small cupholders and a shallow cubby for pens and other oddments above the glovebox.

All models have five doors, making access to the rear seats fairly easy. Once inside, shorter adults will be more than comfortable, but taller folk will find themselves a bit squeezed for head room and, if there’s a long-legged person sitting in front, knee room too. The&nbsp;Zoe beats the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/fiat/500/hatchback/review/n84">Fiat 500</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mini/electric/hatchback/review/n20910"> Mini Electric</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/peugeot/208/hatchback/review/n20228">Peugeot e-208</a> for rear passenger space, but if you regular need to put adults in the back, you'd be better off with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mg-motor-uk/mg4/hatchback/review/n24916">MG4</a>.

The Zoe has a surprisingly big boot. It's really deep, and we managed to fit six carry-on suitcases below the parcel shelf – only one fewer than the larger and more expensive Nissan Leaf managed. The Zoe can carry far more luggage than a Mini Electric,&nbsp;Fiat 500,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/honda-e/hatchback/review/n20882">Honda E</a>&nbsp;and even Peugeot e-208.

Mind you, there's an annoyingly big lip at the boot entrance, and it's a shame that, when you fold down the rear seatbacks (which have a 60/40 split), you're left with a big step in the floor of the extended load bay.

OUR PICK

Of the two trim levels, we reckon cheaper Techno makes more sense. You get 16in alloys, automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel and plenty of infotainment gadgetry.

Techno

techno

Stepping up to to Iconic trim (from Techno) adds 17in alloys and a CCS socket (optional on Techno trim) for faster charging, but also pushes up the price significantly. 


Iconic

iconic

Great value, fairly practical and has a longer range between charges than most of its rivals. Sadly, it's let down but Renault's decision to omit critical safety kit, something that resulted in Euro NCAP giving the car a shocking zero star rating.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Sufficient range between charges to fit in with most people’s lifestyles – and in the real world, not on some far-fetched official test </li> <li>Quick charging times and compatibility with the most ubiquitous types of public charging points </li> <li>Priced to be within the grasp of more than just the privileged few </li> <li>As with any car, ride comfort, practicality and ownership costs can’t be ignored</li></ul>

We define an electric car as one that runs purely on battery power and has no tailpipe to puff out nasty chemicals.

The <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/zoe/hatchback/review/n152">Renault Zoe</a> is one of the most affordable options and has a surprisingly long range of between 120 and 180 miles (depending on the weather and the road type). However, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/nissan/leaf/hatchback/review/n17338">Nissan Leaf</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/id3/hatchback/review/n21832">Volkswagen ID.3</a> are more practical and more accomplished to drive, even if the latter doesn't have a particularly long range between charges.

At the other end of the scale, Tesla’s ground-up electric car&nbsp;philosophy – and the American brand’s network of super-fast chargers – makes the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Model S</a> a tempting choice. It has a classy interior, loads of tech and a long enough real-world range to make inter-city travel a real possibility.

Electric

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Spacious enough for four adults to sit comfortably</li> <li>Logically laid-out interior that doesn’t</li> <li>feel too cheap</li> <li>Mature driving manners </li> <li>Decent-sized boot</li> <li>Competitive buying and running costs</li></ul>

Small cars, or superminis as they’re also known, used to be bought almost exclusively as first cars or by people with no children – but the likes of the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/ford/fiesta/hatchback/review/n106">Ford Fiesta</a>, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/seat/ibiza/hatchback/review/n17359">Seat Ibiza</a> and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/polo/hatchback/review/n83">Volkswagen Polo</a> have grown to the point where they can be considered all-round family transport, albeit with the odd compromise.

The Fiesta remains a star of the class, thanks to its strong Ecoboost petrol engines and suspension settings that are beautifully judged for British roads. However, the latest Volkswagen offers even more practicality, decent performance and a classy interior that has the edge on the Ford’s for quality.

Any of these models will be a competent commuter car – especially if fitted with one of the increasingly popular small turbocharged petrol engines – but just remember that while you’ll be able to carry two adults and two children, it might still be a struggle to get all of their luggage into the boot.

Small

<h2>What we're looking for </h2><ul><li>Generous enough real-world range to fit most lifestyles</li> <li>Plenty of charging options and quick top-up times </li> <li>Usable space and strong practicality</li> <li>Comfortable ride that isn’t hindered by a heavy battery</li></ul>

With so many electric cars now on offer, we've split the smaller models from the larger ones to ensure that we're able to compare direct rivals.

As well as being adept at coping with city life, small electric cars need to be roomy enough for a couple of adults and able to drive a decent amount of miles between charges.&nbsp;

There are some great small electric cars to choose from. The affordable Seat Mii Electric proves you don't have to have break the bank to go green, the Renault Zoe has been improved in every area, making it a great small EV prospect, and the Kia e-Niro was named our overall 2019 Car of the Year.

Small Electric

Renault Zoe review

Why the overall winner won

Best small SUV

Best family car

Best small electric car

Best luxury car

Car of the Year Awards 2023 >>

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Buying advice for the Renault Zoe covering running costs, MPG, Fuel Economy, Reliability and Safety, from the expert What Car? review team.

The Zoe is priced roughly in line with the Mini Electric, Nissan Leaf and Peugeot e-208. If you're buying on PCP finance, Renault usually offers cheaper monthly repayments than those rivals, although expect to pay even less per month for an MG4 Long Range.,Renault as a brand came 18th out of 32 manufacturers in the 2022 What Car? Reliability Survey, with the Zoe itself coming mid table in the electric car class. Every new Renault comes with a five-year warranty. There’s no mileage limit for the first two years, but a 100,000-mile limit applies thereafter. Meanwhile, the Zoe's battery is covered by a separate eight-year, 100,000-mile warranty.,Sadly, the Zoe scored a shocking zero stars for safety when it was assessed by Euro NCAP. Disappointingly, automatic emergency braking (AEB) isn't available (even as an option) on any trim level, leading the the safety organisation to castigate Renault for its decision to 'debase' safety. Of those the two trim levels, we reckon cheaper Techno makes more sense. You get 16in alloys, automatic climate control, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, along with all of the infotainment gadgetry we mentioned earlier.,Stepping up to to Iconic trim adds 17in alloys and a CCS socket (optional on Techno trim) for faster charging, but also pushes up the price significantly. ,With the ability to charge from a CCS point, the Zoe's battery can be topped up from 10-80% in just under an hour at speeds of up to 50kW. Without this option, a 22kW Type 2 charger will give you a full charge in around three hours, while it'll take about 8.5 hours for a full charge using a typical 7kW wallbox at home.For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

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