Renault Zoe ZE50 real world 6 month review. Perfect EV commuter or crash test nightmare?

Jonny Smith's Renault Zoe ZE50 6 month real world review. Is this the perfect EV commuter or crash test nightmare? Despite being launched 10 years ago, the Zoe has changed a lot beneath its similar looking skin. The humble 5-door hatch often gets overlooked, perhaps because of its early adopter status or lack of luxurious badge, but Jonny found there's a lot to appreciate in a simply, unassuming 245-mile range EV.

There is, however, the small question of its recent Euro NCap crash test exam result of 0/5. This sounds worse than it is, but neverthless Renault's cost cutting of certain safety features in exchange for other tech.

Jonny has driven an electric car regularly for almost 8 years. In 6 months Jonny drove over 6,500 from summer to winter, and tries to delve deeply into the likes, dislikes and facts about the car which will make way for the all-new Renault 5 electric next year.

Thanks for stopping by The Late Brake Show.

Current Renault Offers:
Iconic R110 EV 50 for £199 per month with 0% APR
S Edition R110 EV 50 Rapid Charge for £249 per month with 0% APR
S Edition R135 EV 50 Rapid Charge for £254 per month with 0% APR
GT Line+ R135 EV 50 Rapid Charge for £199 per month with 0% APR

UK Zoe Sales results
2020 – 6384
2021 – 5778

Zoe sales Europe
2020 – 99,261 (no.1)
2021 – awaiting results in Feb

Renault's official NCAP statement:

Renault takes note of the results published by EuroNCAP following specific tests on ZOE E-TECH Electric according to its new protocol implemented in 2020.
First of all, Renault reaffirms that ZOE E-TECH Electric is a safe vehicle, which complies with all regulatory safety standards. These standards are constantly evolving and are becoming more stringent in all domains, especially in safety. Renault therefore continually improves its offer in order to comply with the regulations applicable where its vehicles are sold.

ZOE was launched in 2013 and received 5 stars with EuroNCAP protocol at that time. The EuroNCAP protocol has since 2013 undergone 5 changes. With the same equipment, a model can lose up to 2 stars in each protocol change.

The evolution of the current Zoe was decided in 2017 adapting the passive safety equipment to real accidentology and updating the car with state of the art ADAS equipment such as Advanced Emergency Braking with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection, Lane Departure Alert and Lane Keeping Assist, using a radar and a camera.

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Jonny Smith
Creative content maker, car presenter & car pervert for hire since '98

CHAPTERS
0:00 Intro
2:52 Spec as tested
3:30 Prices and specs
3:48 BOOT SPACE
5:25 BATTERY PACK SPECS
7:22 WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
10:38 EFFICIENCY
11:48 FRENCH CAR ELECTRICS
13:17 COST CUTTING
17:10 JONNY'S WIFE
19:00 REGEN BRAKING
19:45 RIDE AND HANDLING
22:29 EURO NCAP CRASH TEST
23:43 RENAULT'S STATEMENT
24:48 CABIN
28:36 LIVING WITH IT FOR 6 MONTHS
29:11 JONNY'S VERDICT

#renaultzoecrashtest #renaultzoereview #realworldevreview #thelatebrakeshow

[brunomferreira]

As a portuguese, the Hyunday Kona reference had me in tears 😂😂 spot on 😅

[alandavies]

Johnny is my new favourite car reviewer. No silly antics he just just tells you how it is. Well done Johnny 👏👍

[bibliotek]

Having had a massive accident last summer, when someone drove into us at high speed, I would never skimp on safety. Ironically, the fact we were driving a 5 star Renault undoubtedly saved my life.

[malcolmbennett]

I have the exact same car, it’s mainly just for the two of us, we’re both 70 and my wife is called Hazel, it’s perfect for us, yes it has some minor faults, such as very little storage space, can’t adjust the seats up or down, and you need a pair of mole grips to adjust the seat’s recline feature, doors sound cheap when closing them and the roof body to door alignment is very poor quality, if you look very careful and compare drivers door with the passengers door one is slightly higher by 5mm. And my wife doesn’t like the fact you have to push the auto gear stick forward to go into reverse and backwards to go forwards, I think a left and right action would make better sense. But all round the performance is very good. I got it in June 2020 and now disappointed to hear about the Ncap rating, shame I can’t have the pillar airbags fitted retrospectively. if I was looking to buy a new EV today I would most likely go for the new Ora Cat larger battery option.

[panaceiasuberes]

Such an amazing statement you're making with this channel. It really took the baton from Fifth Gear. The complete transparency and honesty that hones in your reviews (including addressing the 0 EURONCAP result) really should be inspiring for other car "journos". The fact that such an amazing channel is taking forever to reach 1MM subs really is a statement on how infantile the interwebs are, where more mature and complex content gets ditched on the side.

As stated by others Portuguese chaps (a nationality I had for 37 years since my birth, before going to more salubrious shores) the word Kona is a bit of a faff over there. So kudos for the bicycle company Kona for not changing their name.

[NicolasRaimo]

Most people after NCAP tried to dismiss the rating including many friends… when I published my video with side by side airbag compassion they thought again about dismissing it. As my first ever EV and my number one selling car at work am upset Renault took a step back on safety

[mccarthymccarthy]

Efficiency is so important with EVs (well hey with all cars to be honest) and it is often an overlooked stat with journos. Too many BEVs giving c. 2 miles/kWh and too many hybrids doing 30mpg or sub in real world! Shockingly bad in today’s world. Thanks Johnny for giving this real world efficiency data in your reviews. Valuable

[johncutler]

A good, well-balanced review. Just a small point - in Eco mode the top speed is limited to 65mph, not 60 (though it can vary a bit either way depending on terrain). That seems insignificant, but is a huge advantage on motorways compared to the ZE40. You can keep up with the traffic, with heating on, and still get great economy. I’m more embarrassed than worried by the airbag removal - the range of safety features is impressive.

[JohnDunkley]

I have had a Zoe since October 2020 driven 13500miles mostly charged for free at local stores etc. The biggest advantage being the fact I can charge up to 22kw where as most cars can't. (With the type 2 charger)

[petesplaneta]

What a useful and honest review. The value of having lived with it for a long time is huge and enabled you to offer insights that aren’t normally available. Summed up my thoughts on contemplating whether to go for a Zoe. Based on this I would be really tempted to wait for an Ora Cat.

[devonbikefilms]

For £7k (ish) more than the GT line I have just bought a Kia E-Niro 4+ (£38k). I really wanted to like the Zoe, but reducing passenger safety for a cost saving is a massive red flag for me. I am more than happy I made the right decision, but it’s a shame because the Zoe is all the car I need size wise. With a bit of effort it could have been so much more.

[paulcoles]

Automotive goodness as always Jonny and as close to appointment YouTube as it gets. Considering how spot on Renault were safety wise with the Modus years ago, taking out proven safety tech is egregious on every level. What a shame as in every other way (especially range) it out performs the more modern competition.

[cjp]

Brilliant thanks Jonny and Chops, very indepth and matter of fact at the same time. This is why we love TLBS playlists so much...🎩

[hughesy]

As a motor trade professional, there aren't many motoring channels I watch without cringing. This is one and, not only do I not cringe, I really enjoy it and why YouTube is killing TV as a channel wouldn't sign off on content like this, and it's exactly this kind of stuff (and presentation) that consumers actually want. Good job Jonny.

[keithreynolds]

I like my ze40 2018 more than the current version. 17” wheels and metallic purple. All the airbags etc in place. The lowest I’ve ever got is 3.6miles kWh. Love monitoring the regen, fast when I want. Never tried eco, I use my right foot for that. Thanks for the thorough review K:)

[furkanbaser]

It's great that you talk about the structure and details of the battery...usually the visible parts of the car are mentioned..Thank you for telling the most important part..

[richardmatthews]

Love your car reviews Jonny, covers all questions consumers have, it's like watching Chris Goffey on old old Top Gear 👍

[slipmat]

Love the colour co-ordination of the Zoe with your trainers Jonny.

[HowardLeVert]

Thank you for this video, most illuminating. The more I see about the ZOE, the more convinced I am that I want one when I finally retire and am not travelling vast distances to work.

[GF-eppf]

Considered a Zoe but ended up going for the electric 500, which grabbed my heart more, and don’t regret it. Could be tempted by the electric Megane to replace the 500 and our ICE car, hope Renault ensure it gets full NCAP marks.