Used Renault Zoe 2013-2024 review

There are plenty of people who crave a piece of the electric car pie, but many won't commit due to the costs involved and fears over range, charging and battery life.

The Renault Zoe tried to dispel some of these worries at its 2013 launch: it was reasonably priced and it even initially offered the option of leasing the battery rather than buying it outright. It was a strategy that worked and now, because the popularity of the Zoe, there are now plenty of great used examples to choose from.

Performance & Range: Early models with the standard 22kWh battery and 88bhp motor have the shortest range but are significantly cheaper to buy, while post-2017 examples are available with a 41kWh battery. The Zoe is available in its later (post-2017) form with either 88bhp Q90, 92bhp R90 or 107bhp R110 electric motor.

A major facelift in 2020 resulted in the Zoe coming with either a 107bhp or a 134bhp electric motor. The former is called the R110 and the latter the R135. Both power outputs are paired with a 52kWh battery.

Earlier Zoes, with the 22kWh battery, have an official maximum range of 130 miles, while post-2015 cars with the 41kWh battery up that to 250 miles. Renault admits that 174 miles is more realistic, with this dropping to 112 in the winter.

The Quick Charge version of the Zoe (Q90) has a slightly shorter maximum range of 230 miles, and there’s an entry-level version called Expression with a smaller battery that has a maximum of just 149 miles. The R110 came with an official WLTP range of 186 miles.

On post-2020 cars, the official figures are between 238 and 245 miles on a full charge (it varies slightly depending on which motor and trim level you go for). Even Renault acknowledges that these numbers are very optimistic and quotes its own ‘real-world’ ranges accordingly. It reckons 233 miles should be possible in the summer, falling to 150 miles in winter conditions. This sounds pretty accurate to us. In our own independent Real Range tests, the Zoe managed 192 miles on a full charge.

Ride & Handling: To drive, the Zoe is nippy and smooth. For starters, there's the uninterrupted stream of power, and this is what makes the Zoe relaxing and surprisingly enjoyable to drive around town. Above 40mph, the Q90's acceleration quickly starts to tail off, though; the R110 will get you up to 70mph noticeably more swiftly. Mind you, the Zoe's grabby brakes frustrate by making it difficult to slow smoothly – the payoff for topping up the battery with recovered energy that would otherwise be wasted during braking.

For the post-2020 models, you don't notice a massive difference in acceleration at town speeds, but the R135 will get you up to motorway speeds much more swiftly (0-62mph takes 9.5sec, compared to 11.4 in the R110).

Ride comfort is okay at low speeds: broken surfaces are absorbed effectively, with little suspension thump. However, the Zoe is less composed on faster roads, where ruts and potholes unsettle it a little too easily. It turns in to corners keenly enough, though, helped by its light and precise steering, and there's plenty of grip. With soft suspension, it tends to lean through corners, though.

Interior & Practicality: Inside, the Zoe isn't especially premium – there are lots of scratchy plastics – but the design itself is bright and modern. You sit a bit higher than the small hatchback norm and there’s no base height adjustment on the driver's seat. You get a decent range of adjustment for the steering wheel, though, as well as competitive head room and leg room and decent cushioning under your backside.

Fortunately, part of the battery pack is arranged below the rear seats, so boot space is rather good for this size of car, and there's a dedicated space to stow the charging cable so it doesn't have to take up precious cargo room.

Trims & Equipment: There are three main trims: Expression Nav, Dynamique Nav and Signature Nav. Entry-level models get 15in steel wheels, cruise control, climate control and a 7.0in touchscreen infotainment system with sat-nav.

Upgrade to a Dynamique Nav car and you'll get 16in alloy wheels, automatic lights and wipers, keyless entry and start, a DAB radio, and rear parking sensors. Signature Nav adds numerous bronze accents, electronically folding door mirrors, a rear-view camera, heated front seats and a Bose sound system.

Interested in buying a used Renault Zoe? Visit our Used Cars For Sale pages to find lots of cars listed at great prices.

Prices for early cars start at around £6000, to which you might have to add the cost of the battery lease.

Up the budget to around £7000 and you’ll find plenty of good, clean 2016 models, while around £9000 is about the starting point for 2017 cars and those with the newer, larger battery pack.

Have at least £12,000 to spend on an updated 2020 model or £16,000 for a 2022 car. As of writing, 2023 examples are only available at prices in excess of £20,000.

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Find a used Renault Zoe for sale here

Charging: Charging takes between seven and nine hours from empty if you plug into your 7kW charger at home or two hours and 40 mins from a 22kW public charging point. Alternatively, the Quick Charge version can be topped up to 80% from empty in just over an hour from a high-powered rapid charger, with the Expression model being even quicker to charge due to its smaller battery.

Servicing and insurance: Since there's no oil to change, you'll find that servicing is noticeably cheaper than it is for a petrol or diesel car. For a 2021 example (with the 52kWh battery), Renault quoted us £288 for its second year's service.

Insurance groups range from a modest 14 to 25.

Reliability

The Renault Zoe exhibits some challenges, mainly electrical and battery-related, according to feedback from our annual What Car? Reliability Survey. Issues with charging systems and battery management have been highlighted, often needing several dealer visits to fix. Dealer service experiences vary: some owners commend the attentive and professional service, while others report frustration over slow responses and unclear communication. However, despite these issues, many owners remain content with their Zoe, especially due to its low running costs.

Discover more about used Renault Zoe reliability and common problems on our dedicated reliability page.

If you can afford to buy a post-2015 Zoe with the longer-range 41kWh battery, we would recommend it.

All trims are well equipped, although we would recommend going for Dynamique Nav, because this gets not only more luxuries but also a longer range. Top-spec Signature Nav looks a bit pricey.

Our favourite Renault Zoe: R110 ZE40 Dynamique Nav

The original Nissan Leaf is the most obvious, if you're looking at the cheaper end of the market, despite it being slightly larger. Battery options were 24kWh and 30kWh, the former offering a theoretical maximum of 124 miles and the larger 155 miles. It’s also easy to live with and comfortable to drive, and it's now looking relatively good value on the used market. Check out the second-generation car too, if you've got more money to spend.

One premium alternative to think about buying used is the Mk7 version of the Volkswagen e-Golf. This officially has a range of 186 miles, but Volkswagen admits that’ll drop to around 125 miles in the real world. The e-Golf will take 13 hours for a full charge from a three-pin plug or four hours from a dedicated quick charger. It’s great to drive, too, but it is pricey.

So is the BMW i3. It is undoubtedly very luxurious, though. It uses state-of-the-art production techniques to offset its weight and offers a range of around 124 miles. You can even look out for a range-extender option that incorporates a tiny petrol engine to prevent the battery from going flat.

The Kia Soul EV is a funky-looking small SUV that combines an instant hit of torque from its electric motor with the ability to cruise happily at 70mph. However, its realistic range is very short, at around 70 miles, and it’s not the most comfortable car, especially on a bumpy road.

The Honda E is a smart and highly desirable small electric car with a cute face and an upmarket interior. It's expensive, though, and its range is nowhere near as competitive as some of its rivals, at around 136 miles.

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If you're interested in finding a used Zoe, or any of the other electric vehicle, head over to the Used Car Buying pages to find lots of cars listed for sale at great prices.