New Renault Zoe Review

The updated Renault Zoe is recharged and refreshed for 2020 and even comes with an attractive price tag and an officially recorded range well over 200 miles.
Realistically, if you can get, say, 233 miles on a single charge in the summer and 150 miles in the battery-draining colder months, then you’ll be doing alright out of it.

On the move, the car is comfy, muted (partly thanks to a near-zero powertrain blare) and rides with the stability and composure of a Clio. The hatchback is remarkably grown-up and refined in the way it drives and handles; comparable in a sense to the way the new Mini Electric does, but over a more extensive footprint. And along with the interior materials and its light steering, the French hatchback feels like a quality machine.

The R135 Z.E. 50 GT Line grade, driven for this review, comes with a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a 10-inch customisable driver’s display, and semi-recycled, partially man-made leather seats. There’s also an E-shifter gear selector with B-mode for increased regenerative braking and one-pedal driving.

For the most part, there’s no drawback in terms of room and practicality for selecting this electric hatchback over a standard Renault hatch. There’s ample space for the driver and front-seat passenger – and enough room for a couple in the back. At a push, you can even get three kids in the rear. Headroom is less generous than in a Peugeot e-208, but knee room is better than you’ll find in the Mini Electric. The new Zoe has a generous boot, as well. It is deep and trounces the Mini Electric’s, and just about outdoes the e-208’s load area.

No longer will you need to hand over a fistful of notes when you fill up your motor with fuel. Of course, the drawback to this is that an electric vehicle takes a lot longer to top up than a diesel or petrol car. You could find yourself spending hours charging the Zoe – though some chargers can now send the battery to 80 per cent charge from empty in an hour or less.

If you’ve got your eye on an electrified motor, and you don’t mind French cars, then why not treat yourself to a Zoe? It might just give you a few tingles.

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