Renault Zoe: In-depth review with Tom Ford / Electrifying

We're out of the Electrifying studio and back on the road with Tom 'Wookie' Ford and an in-depth road test of the 2020 Renault Zoe.

It’s been Europe’s best-selling EV in its time, was one of the first pure electric cars on the market, and it’s brilliantly fit-for-purpose. The Zoe is popular as it’s one of the cheapest cost-price-per-mile-of-range EVs out there. Including the £3,000 government grant it’ll cost £26,495, which means it isn’t the cheapest to buy but it has the biggest battery in the class and makes efficient use of the power.

Renault used to insist owners entered a complicated battery lease arrangement but thankfully that’s been binned and the paperwork is now much less headache-inducing. The car has also evolved constantly with new tech and upgrades to keep up with the newer rivals. It’s a great car for driving around town, and it’s 245-mile range means that you don’t necessarily need home charging (installed free when you buy a Zoe, by the way). You could probably get away with a once-a-week top-up at a public charging point while you shop, go to the gym or have a coffee. Remember to tick the option box for the rapid charger though, or you’ll be waiting a while.

If you like the Renault Zoe then we think you should also check out:

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[JonathanPriceUK]

Commentary said that energy is wasted when braking and that instead slowing the car with B mode recovers it ... but actually when you press the brake pedal in a Zoe you do get regen and recover energy that way as well ... only when braking harshly do the friction brakes get involved.

[WonkoTheSaneUK]

CCS is available on the "Iconic" trim as well. It's only the base "Play" model that can't have it.

[bikesqump]

Great review, love how u explain the charging for people who can only equate it to gas filling

[JohnDunkley]

I do exactly what you say. I don't have home charging so I charge it when I do the weekly shop...Really good car.

[ianbailey]

Helpful review for a novice first time EV buyer here! Thanks

[kinross]

I’m a bit late to watch this but the newest Zoe that came out last year, the 52kwh, wasn’t available in the UK with battery lease option. And since then they are offering battery buy back for all previous model battery lease schemes, the 22kwh and 40kwh.

[dc]

Very helpful review, im in the process of moving from PHEV to EV and the Zoe looks idea

[XcaliburReborn]

It's a shame they didn't add seat adjustment. I'm 6'3 and it's a terrible position for me. Literally the only thing that stopped me getting one

[Ultramesh]

I stopped watching a 6:22. "Mean of Renault". Do you thing they are being mean, or trying to make a profit? All features cost something. And some people just don't need the Rapid charging. I have the Zoe, and charge at home or work. No need for the rapid charging, and I'm happy to save something. Some people base purchasing decision on price.

[Bessunger]

Yes, totally agree with the conclusion. After 45 years with our current ZOE Mk.1 we sonn will get the recent Mk. ZOE and we are perfectly happy. However, we have the DCC option and would highly recommend it even though we might not use it often ;-)

[Chobaca]

The fast change option should include battery heating and cooling. You can't fast charge a cool battery.

[ONhistoryplus]

Ahem. DC Rapid Charge has been a £1000 upgrade since 1st April, not £750.

[robsmitha]

Last time I looked CCS option had been put up to £1K (not available at all on the base Play version either).

[djhvideo]

Battery capacity in kWh please. Kilowatt is a unit of power, not energy storage capacity.

[camz]

Will range drops if you travel 100kms daily via motorway/expressway rather than city driving?

[andrewradford]

Not sure you answered the How does it actually compare to a Corsa-e or the e208 ? The problem I am having is that we want 2 electric cars - the family wagon (something slightly posh like the Polestar2) and a runabout that could still handle a 150+ mile journey. The runabout will come first as the S3 lease ends in September and the Polestar2 maybe months away so we will be in limbo. I am expecting a Leaf to be feeling a bit old, the Zoe a bit small and feminine to look at, the e208 to be expensive and the Corsa-e to be anonymous. Head says Zoe GT-Line with rapid charge, ego says e208, the Mrs says to fly under the radar in a Corsa-e and the bank balance says the Leaf for value for money and size (Ioniq is so dull to look at I think I'd be embarrassed to be seen in it. MG is carrying an image problem, slightly lacks range and shouts "cheapskate"). I need to order something on lease in the next 2 or 3 weeks!

[dscotia]

No comment about "Battery Leasing" Again!

[alanhowemusic]

Are you kidding, £30, 000 for this size car you must be joking. Not height adjustment in the front seats. No CCS Charging ability unless you pay another £1, 000 on the price of the car.Renault you have got this car totally wrong. You are just trying to exploit the increased distance between charging to justify such a small car for £30, 000.

[stevesinclair]

Zero star Euro NCAP safety rating in recent tests (enough said )

[kjhaz]

Caveat emptor! Many new ZE50s sold in Europe and the UK come with a free tailgate problem. My dealer has had 5 to fix. This is a SCANDEL. The tail gate makes a clicking, cracking sound at most speeds owing to poor fit and zero quality control by Renault. Check RZOC UK (Renault Zoe Owners Club) - the chairman issued a YouTube video with advice on how to repair this. Renault issued UK dealers with repair advice including a sound file which my dealer played to me. So, across the ZD 50 range, you could enjoy repeat visits to you dealer to get this shabby work fixed. You have been warned!