Renault Zoe review

The Renault Zoe is one of the most cost-effective used electric cars you can buy. It's practical for its size, good to drive and stylish inside and out.

The Zoe was introduced in 2013 and there have been numerous updates to the batteries and electric motor. There’s a choice of electric motors that all deliver an almost silent drive. Depending on the battery option, the Zoe will cover between 62 and 250 miles on a full charge.

It should be noted that early models of the Zoe were sold with a monthly battery leasing charge. This charge will still exist for these used Zoes but they’re likely to cost less.

From 2019, all new Zoes have been sold with the batteries included in the price, so these cars won’t be subject to this additional charge. For any Zoe with battery leasing it's possible to buy the battery outright from Renault, so you no longer have to pay the leasing cost. The cost to do so varies according to the car's age.

The Zoe’s interior has been designed to look as futuristic as possible. The dashboard is minimalistic, with the seven-inch R-Link infotainment touchscreen and heating controls mounted on a ‘floating’ panel in the centre of the dashboard. In front of the driver is a thin digital strip that includes the speedometer and battery range indicator.

It’s an airy interior with plenty of bright colours used throughout. However, some of the plastics look and feel a little low cost.
There’s loads of kit with even entry-level models featuring climate control and sat nav. More expensive models have added items such as parking sensors and an upgraded stereo.

The Zoe’s batteries are located in the floor under the front and rear seats, which results in a more spacious interior than you’d expect. Essentially it’s on a par with traditional models such as the Volkswagen Polo, with good head and legroom for passengers in the back.

The boot also boasts a useful 338-litre capacity, which is larger than models such as the Ford Fiesta and will comfortably hold a few suitcases.

The Zoe offers two electric motor options; the RE90 and the more powerful RE110. Both deliver brisk acceleration making them perfect for urban roads. With a single-speed automatic gearbox, the drive is seamless and almost silent.

Compact dimensions, light controls and the simple automatic transmission all make the Zoe easy to drive, particularly around town. The heavy battery reduces its agility through corners, but the Renault is competent and composed when driven sensibly.

Early cars were only available with a 22 kWh battery (known as the Z.E. 20), which gave a range of around 100 miles on a full charge. The 41 kWh (Z.E.40), which was made available in 2016, nearly doubled the range. So it’s important to make sure the car you buy suits your needs.

Charging from a domestic three pin plug could take as long as 12 hours, but a domestic wall box charger reduces this time to around eight hours. Public charging points are much faster and can refuel the car in as little as three hours.

On the face of it, the Renault Zoe is one of the most affordable four-seater electric cars on sale in the UK. However, be aware that the lowest-price models may be subject to a battery leasing option, which means you'll need to pay an additional charge (approximately £50-£110) per month. All post-2019 Zoes have the batteries included in the price, so just make sure you know which one you’re getting.

Charging costs can be low if you have a home charger and the right energy tariff. If you rely solely on public chargers the costs is likely to be much higher and you may end up paying no less than you would to fuel a petrol or diesel car over the same mileage.

The Zoe has consistently scored strongly in customer satisfaction surveys, with owners praising the cars impressive dependability and low running costs. Some drivers have reported transmission faults, but on the whole the car is extremely reliable.

When it was launched, the Zoe was awarded a five star Euro NCAP crash rating. It also has six airbags and a strong structure which means it should perform well in a crash.