First Drive - EV Review - Renault Zoe
Review: Renault Zoe
What is it?
The Renault Zoe was one of the very first fully electric vehicles to enter the mass market. Of course, those early models weren’t the strongest choices in terms of range, but this early entry has meant that Renault has had plenty of time to finesse the Zoe formula and develop its onboard technology.
This all means that the Zoe has got a lot more to offer than it did originally. But in a market as cutthroat as the one for EVs, can this long-standing model come out on top? We’ve been finding out.
What’s new?
One aspect of the Zoe that hasn’t changed that much over time is the way it looks. In fact, you’d probably be hard-pressed to differentiate a brand-new model from an older version. That’s no bad thing, of course, because the Zoe has always looked quite sharp and inviting.
The real changes have occurred inside and underneath instead. There are new electric motors for the Zoe, while fast-charging has now been included to make those mid-journey charge-ups even quicker.
What’s under the bonnet?
At present, things are kept pretty easy with the Zoe’s list of powertrains - there’s just one. Badged R135 50, it’s a setup which is capable of delivering up to 223 miles of range from a single charge - so the Zoe’s days of shorter distances are well and truly over. There’s 136bhp on offer, too, so the Zoe has plenty enough performance for most occasions.
When it comes to charging, you’re looking at just over nine hours for a full charge when you’re hooked up to a home 7kW charger, though a zero to 80 per cent top-up could be conducted in just over an hour when you attach the Zoe to a 50kW fast charger.
What’s the Renault Zoe like to drive?
One of the most prominent things about the Zoe experience is just how quiet and refined it is. Of course, with all EVs there’s a distinct lack of engine noise, but it’s well-maintained throughout the entire driving experience in the Zoe. Compact proportions mean that the Zoe is easy to pilot through town, too, and it’s a breeze to park, too.
Though you might not think that the Zoe would be much good on the motorway, the opposite is actually the case. Though there’s a small amount of road noise, it handles higher speeds well - though you do need to be prepared for crosswinds on breezy days as they can push the little Zoe off course from time to time.
How does it look?
As we’ve already touched upon, Renault has definitely taken a more evolutionary approach with the Zoe’s styling, but that’s still just fine. It’s always been a strong seller for the French firm, so you can understand why it hasn’t ripped up the styling rule book.
There have been some tweaked elements, however. There’s a new front bumper with LED fog lights, while the C-shaped daytime running lights give the Zoe a really distinctive ‘face’. The rear lights are also LEDs, so they’ve very bright.
What’s it like inside?
It’s inside where you’ll notice the most changes to the Zoe. We’ve got a nicely-finished steering wheel with intuitive controls, while a new 10-inch instrument display ahead of it is really clear and provides all of the key information you need.
You’ve got a couple of harder plastics here and there, but the 338-litre boot that the Zoe offers is surprisingly large given that this is quite a small car. There’s also the option to add a false boot floor, underneath which you can store the charging cables.
What’s the spec like?
Even in its base specification, the Zoe has boatloads of equipment to offer. There’s a large 9.3-inch infotainment screen with in-built navigation, plus you get both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard as well. Helpful features like a reversing camera and cruise control are included too.
There’s a more expensive specification available above the entry point, with this ‘Iconic’ grade adding in some larger alloy wheels. However, its most crucial addition is a faster charging speed - something you’ll want if you’re planning on frequently doing longer trips that require speedier top-ups.
Verdict
Though it may have a number of rivals, the Zoe is still an excellent choice within the EV market. Its compact proportions mean it’s easy to live with - particularly if you’re in the city - but it’s surprisingly spacious inside with some clever tech bits as standard.
We’d like to see a slightly quicker charging speed, but elsewhere the Zoe delivers a very compelling package.
