Renault Zoe review (2012-2024)

Driving position

The Zoe has a spacious interior because the batteries are stored under the floor and don’t intrude into the front or back of the cabin.

This also means you step up to get in and sit a bit higher than in a normal supermini. Outward visibility is great, but we'd have liked to see height adjustability for at least the driver's seat.

Drivers get a clear view of the road, and there’s room for five, but the higher seats mean taller passengers may notice the limited headroom.

Tech and features

A 2020 makeover created a more modern look inside the Zoe.

These more recent cars have bigger digital dials, a portrait infotainment touchscreen in the centre of the dashboard (on higher trim levels) and smartphone connectivity.

There are still physical dials for the heating and air-con beneath, though, so there's no awkward prodding away at a touchscreen on the go.

The parking brake and gear shifter became electric in 2020 and freed up even more space in the cabin.

Drivers got a nice new chunky, soft-touch steering wheel.

Renault’s tried-and-tested keyless operation system has always been fitted to the Zoe.

It means you carry a card in your pocket which unlocks doors and starts your car at the press of a button.

It automatically locks the car as you walk away, too.

Electric motors and power

Newer cars, badged R110 and R135, come with 109hp and 136hp respectively, which is enough for most drivers in this small EV.

We spent time with the R135 model and found it to be nippy around town – it's the one to go for if you spend time on the motorway or quicker roads.

Because it's front-wheel-drive, full throttle from a standing start will see it scrambling for traction, which can be concerning on a roundabout. Most rivals are also front-wheel-drive, but for something more engaging, consider the rear-wheel-drive Honda e.

Handling and ride comfort

Thanks to the electric motor, the Zoe is a nippy little hatchback that’s easy to drive.

Of course, it’s also very quiet and smooth, but you should still feel right at home in the driver's seat.

An update in 2020 saw increased battery capacity, which added extra range and quicker acceleration.

The steering lacks the feel of certainty that other cars have, but this translates to lighter steering around town, which means the Zoe is easy to manoeuvre.

Boot space

There’s an average-sized boot in the Zoe, but split-folding back seats are handy for extra space if you need it.

A handy optional extra was a stowage space under the boot floor for the charging cables that leaves a nice flat loading area too.

Rear seats

As with any supermini, space in the back seats can be limited, and it's best suited to two. Three side-by-side is possible, but it would be a squeeze.

The Zoe's shape helps headroom in the back, so it's not as cramped as you might expect, however forward visibility isn't great because the front seats sit pretty high.

Storage solutions

There's not much to talk of here, besides a pretty average glovebox and extra compartments in the doors.

Between the front seats are two cupholders, but if you pick a car with the central armrest (which was a paid optional extra when new), it sits in one of the cupholders.

It would have been nice to have a standard-fit armrest, rather than what feels like a poor-quality add-on.

Safety

Euro NCAP gave the Zoe a five-star rating in 2013, but after the safety tests were made more strict, it was given a zero-star rating in 2021.

Since the Zoe is electric, it's generally quite economical to run. Used models are also very sought after, which means they've retained their value but getting a bargain is unlikely.

Range and charging

The Renault Zoe has had a couple of different battery packs fitted since it came out, so make sure you know what you're getting before you buy.

All models from 2020 onwards had a better battery with 250 miles of range, and models after 2016 had the option of 150-mile or 250-mile range batteries.

In the winter months, efficiency can take a hit. The on-screen readout often reduced to around 150 miles on our Zoe, which was meant to do up to 250 miles.

The biggest battery takes around nine hours to charge from flat to full with a home wall box charger, or three hours at a public charge point.

Public chargers should also give you about an 80% charge in just over an hour, and a full trickle charge from a normal domestic socket will take over 30 hours.

The cost of a full charge will vary between models and your charging system, but it can be as low as £3.60 on an off-peak rate (7p/kWh).

Reliability

The Zoe should also be cheaper to maintain than most petrol- or diesel-powered hatchbacks since there are fewer mechanical parts to go wrong.

Newer Renault cars also come with a five-year warranty, so find one registered after 2019 for extra peace of mind.