Renault ZOE in-depth review - is it the best cheap EV to buy?

2020 Renault Zoe review: carbyr.uk/3fen5v5
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The Renault ZOE is a stylish, affordable electric supermini with a decent range but how does it compare to rival EVs like the MINI Electric, Honda e and Peugeot e-208? Nicola Hume takes the ZOE to our test track to find out.
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MINI Electric review: carbyr.uk/2IIP4qY
Honda e review: carbyr.uk/35AGaV3
Peugeot e-208 review: carbyr.uk/32R9ftN
Top 10 small electric cars to buy: carbyr.uk/3cB9Lyw
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[@paulcfyeung]

What a great presenter! Very unique and natural with her presenting style and all the better for it! Keep it up Carbuyer!

[@lpm55]

I like this woman she seems to know what she’s on about. Plus she’s funny

[@remake1990]

i agree, i would also say she's light-hearted too :)

[@lpm55]

@@remake1990 true 👌🏿👊🏿

[@carbuyer]

Glad you think so!

[@lpm55]

@@carbuyer I’m a mechanic I can tell she knows what she’s on about

[@TheGalacticEmperorOfLabels]

She smells.

[@johnVVest]

Yoooo....Carbyuer is back. Nice to see you guys and i hope everybody is in good health. P.S. New presenter, me like it!!!

[@rustyjoints4857]

Good review. We purchased a ZE135 as a Fiesta replacement, and it's super with a little bit more room inside as well!

[@JackKing12.]

Good 2 see car buyer back...more reviews please 👍

[@carbuyer]

Loads more to come, we promise! Stay tuned.

[@jasonhallock3773]

Will it work stored outside when it is -30 Celsius? That’s how cold it gets where I live. If I leave my iPhone in the car for any length of time it goes from 100% charged to 0%.

[@AngelKsiezyc]

Thanks for your video. Are you able to use the heater while you are charging? Aparently is impossible. It is so uncomfortable to charge in winter if you have to stay on the car.

[@pereldh5741]

May not agree on the car, but you Miss have a great future in presenting.

[@hmm2928]

Good review, I really like how carbuyer does their review. Sad that they don’t produce much videos.

[@carbuyer]

Sorry we've been so quiet. We're back now and have loads of great content to come! Stay tuned.

[@petecoventry6858]

I once did the Applecross pass anti clockwise and got 91 miles of regen in the R110 - I am testing B mode tomorrow :)

[@LucianoLopesLima]

I'm sorry but is it possible in 2020 to have a car without even change the height of the seats?

[@DJChipsandGarlic]

Im Looking to get a 2015/16 model battery lease or non for my first car(what!?!😮) so going straight down the electric route my heart is set on getting one of these for my first vehicle and I obviously don’t want something big, plus it fits my budget. I have three young kids between the ages of 6 and 12. do You think it will be an ok size for them in the back? The car will mostly be used for work and shopping but our ultimate goal is to go camping without the need of family help, just local mostly, anything around 30 to 50 miles away. We’ve also done research and some camps let you charge over Night with the three pin. Would be great to hear back from anyone with families who also drive these cars. cheers!

[@v-gun9735]

Carbuyer back on form with a likeable, entertaining new presenter. So good not to have to watch Steve Fowler.

[@TheGalacticEmperorOfLabels]

She smells.

[@Bugside]

Great review!

[@carbuyer]

Thanks!

[@MahipalSingh-kt3yx]

Best presenter . Others should learn from her .. very original , a natural

[@daveh9415]

Do all electric cars use the same home charger or will our houses be full of different car manufacturer chargers in a few years?

[@rustyjoints4857]

Any EV can charge from any home charge point, they all have the same connector. Some cars use different types at the car end but usually a lead is supplied with the car so there's no need to worry.

[@GavinByrneLand]

Great review 👏

[@carbuyer]

Thanks. And there's loads more where that came from!

[@ragemydream]

Great review. I really like the Renault Zoe and generally I'm not a renault fan due to the reliability and build quality. The biggest issue for me, is that the government is pushing people to change to EV cars, except for those who live in Flats or external/street parking spaces there's no way to charge these cars.

[@liawatson5789]

Get a home charger. Simples!

[@walshamn]

You say you don’t you can almost get away without using the brake pedal round town but what about brake lights? It would worry me if I could stop without brake lights coming on.

[@frankstocker5475]

Carwow gave a more detailed review of all the negatives or deal-breakers. I still gave you a thumbs up.

[@shoelessjoe428]

If I had one criticism it would be that 50Kw rapid charging is a bit yesterday. 100Kw is where it's at today. Like the e208.

[@uniformedhunk]

her name is Nicola Hume, she used to be a radio presenter on Heart Radio Sussex

[@lewis72]

Ah yes, then Heart got rid of all of the local presenters.

[@defnotatroll]

Did she do car stuff there?

[@uniformedhunk]

no i dont think she did, i bet carbuyer mainly took her on to add a bit of glamour to their channel@@defnotatroll

[@kellyphillips6656]

Love the dungarees. Plus she's got a fab personality I reckon. A charming breath of fresh air. Oh and the Zoe is a great EV.

[@jeffreygauci428]

Great presenter, with great electric car.

[@timaustin2000]

It's a fab little car. Did North Yorkshire to the Eden Project in Cornwall in mine last year. Breakfast and lunch to charge on the way down. Easy peasy. In every metric (bar, perhaps, b road handling) it's better than the Clio.

[@christinerobottom9444]

Love the middle of the road? Um was that once a pop group? Nice review.

[@victorlicht6765]

Are you going to do a review on the new dacia sandero hatchback?

[@carbuyer]

For sure - just as soon as we can get one in the UK!

[@volvo245]

*smirks in Clarkson*

[@Sanpedranoazul]

This is a favorite!

[@familytime4473]

I was wondering what happened to Nicola from Heart FM but there she is :)

[@ilijajesam]

The boot is good shape and size too

[@thenextelectriccar6529]

Good review, however you left out the cost of the battery lease. That's pricey, and there's no seat height adjustment. It's also a pity

[@anotherdummyuser4599]

00:30 - Electric car "switching"..."nasty shocks"... loving the puns here.

[@vespa7265]

Wow, she's a breath of fresh air. A natural presenter. Keep it up.

[@niklaswejedal463]

I am very much considering a Zoe and have been for some time now...

[@thebanditsix]

Good review but you didn't mention the battery lease cost which starts at £59 per month up to £110 per month for unlimited miles for Zoe's up to 2019.

[@jeffreycooper8408]

She's reviewing the new one, so why should she ?

[@rustyjoints4857]

Renault don't offer the battery lease option any more.

[@tomroberts883]

The top power Iconic trim level version with rapid charge is the best value for money. In a car this small, the GT additions just aren’t worth it, in my opinion. Also, a three year PCH lease will see you paying around 10,000 over the lease rather than nearly 18,000 on PCP over the same period.

[@cinnamonrage]

They were a really good presenter. I enjoyed that.

[@carbuyer]

Loads more to come from Rich and Nicola! Stay tuned.

[@marw8383]

nice review - thank you! Just a small (pedantic) point. You mention 'no road tax'. Whilst this is, indeed, correct. nobody pays 'road tax' as it doesn't exist . Keep up the good work :)

[@spaceranger7674]

mmmmmm where abouts do u live, cuz in the uk im pretty sure u need to pay road tax for non electric cars

[@marw8383]

@@spaceranger7674 Road tax doesn't exist. But internal combustion engine owners pay vehicle excise duty, I.e. it is a tax on the car. 'Road tax' hasn't existed in the UK from something like the 1929s or 30s.

[@spaceranger7674]

@@marw8383 oooh, ok, thx for updatin me :)

[@christinerobottom9444]

​@@marw8383Thanks for updating the whole country they will be so glad they don't pay road tax.

[@markreed9853]

Just got mine :)

[@golfbuddy1969]

Which came first? The car or the wardrobe?

[@tectorama]

I would think even 150miles in the winter to be a touch optimistic.

[@oliverleonard7730]

I love Renault - I had a Mk2 Clio until recently.

[@NickP1]

Nice review Nicola…but no mention of safety and the fact that the Zoe has a Zero EuroNcap score…is it a death trap?

[@az958]

A decent presenter on carbuyer after a long time

[@frankstocker5475]

What was the presenter reviewing? she's a keeper.

[@ehemalssimehtt3739]

❤️ Renault Zoe ❤️

[@officialyasir]

Great review! We need EVs like this in the US.

[@carbuyer]

Thanks! We've loads more electric car reviews to come...

[@thebigcheese6606]

I know camera angle looking a way from viewer is trying to clever. But that's not what you minds tells you.

[@mikemayers9353]

Keeep this girl !

[@AhmedAli-lz2oh]

First greetings from Egypt 👋 Great review 👍🏿🤠

[@piotrsobczak2866]

I watched full review just for her.

[@koolyman]

Hmm, this or e208?

[@dgcsantos]

I would definitely go for the e-208

[@wayneheyes4934]

But you can’t get to see family in wales from the Midlands in the winter due to cold weather damaging performance ! Not good enough petrol is still the way

[@pullformore]

Does it have a froot? (Frunk in US-speak)

[@rustyjoints4857]

No, the motor and electronics are situated there.

[@conogrady9254]

Confidence oozing from this lovely lady!🥰

[@TheLittleRedCali]

Can’t adjust drivers seat height. Massive fail that.

[@davidrumming4734]

It’s not perfect yet....£26,000 with a range of 150 miles in winter...and it’s only a small hatchback....but, it’s one of the best at the moment. Definitely take this over the Honda E or Mini E.

[@wboeren1]

It looks good, good range, charging time remains biggest issue.

[@carbuyer]

This will definitely be a barrier for some, but if you can charge at home overnight you may discover it's not so much of a challenge after all...

[@wboeren1]

@@carbuyer The tech is much improved in the last years.

[@TheRussianLondoner]

Amazing car

[@finianfarrelly4211]

You definitely sell that car, brilliant.

[@fireman3857]

For a £1000 less you can get the MG EV estate or SUV that comes with 7year transferable warranty on all parts and labour. Just saying

[@carbuyer]

We'll have reviews of the latest MGs in the new year. Stay tuned!

[@happyhermit2022]

Yes agreed although the MG is manufactured in a country that is directly responsible for the mess we are in...also by stealing technology from the civilised world and paying 3c an hour to factory workers who sleep where they work....enjoy your MG assuming you have no conscience at all.

[@phillipmarnik]

Real world driving stat = 25 miles per day (average) Not real world charging stat = 0% to 80% No one is running their battery flat. Real world charging is knowing how long it takes to go from 40% or so to 100%. Amrite?

[@russvhill2]

The Zoe was built as an electric version of the Clio and early ones, at least, had running gear which failed early because it hadn't been strengthened to cope with the weight of the batteries. At least it gave Renault Service Centres some income. If the charge flap is at the front, why isn't the charge cable stored under the bonnet? Paying £1500 extra for 50kWh charging and heated seats is scandalous on a car already stupidly expensive.

[@topcat4265]

She's a breath of fresh air!!

[@villaadog]

Good presenter, entertaining and knows her cars

[@ZetaReticuli_1]

What a cool person.

[@Wh3atley]

This sort of seems like a paid commercial to me....

[@georgedowns4034]

But it is a very good car

[@bluefazer600]

That’s what I thought when watching it, hardly a review, seems paid for by Renault

[@georgedowns4034]

@@tgb-vf4es u sound very hard to please. Just cus they think it's rly good, doesn't mean it's an ad & they use they say average commute cus exactly it's the average persons commute so of course it may not suit u that's why they giving the averages.

[@WestYorkshireGREAT]

With Carbuyer laying staff of with there being no cars to review over this year because of all the car release events being suspended, it wouldn't be surprising but I also wouldn't blame them

[@someone-gb2ec]

first renault that is more reliable than vw🤭

[@gildavis8266]

It's too bad it's not for sale in the U.S..

[@V_Dubya]

Renault are taking this ev stuff seriously. I think the Megane will do good things when it comes along.

[@carbuyer]

The recent news of an electric Megane is very exciting indeed. We can't wait to try it.

[@alamrahman]

Looks like the presenters stole the show!

[@Dantheman2584]

The thumbnaill made me think we where getting Emma Watson

[@Fattriman]

me too! She was very good I really enjoyed her delivery, funny and informative!

[@Dantheman2584]

@@Fattriman yeah, she's great

[@o0bananaman0o]

0 star ENCAP is a deal breaker

[@duartejose93]

Nice review, you r so beautiful 🤩

[@motogsprx7251]

26K EUR for a car that looks 13K € isn't exactly cheap

[@malph9216]

Good, refreshing kind of review....well done! Shame about the car. First, the price, £30k for a small hatchback. 2nd, still gives range anxiety for everything other than shopping or commuting. 3rd, Good in town, as long as you have off street parking and don't live in a tower block...both of which apply to many town folk....I could go on! My used RSQ3 cost less than this. It's bigger, more practical, it sounds good and looks better. I can comfortably do the 300 mile round trip to see my new Granddaughter in a day, with plenty of fuel left in the tank (no option to charge at the other end). EVs are fine as a second car, but far too limiting on journey distance and time wasting on a long journey. They have a long way to go before they can fully replace ICE powered transport.

[@chruth1986]

Not such a long way - ten years I believe. Enjoy it while it lasts.

[@rustyjoints4857]

#1 Always remember £30k is the list price, how many people actually pay that? #2 Obviously this car isn't designed with long trips in mind, but I can easily drive a 180 mile return trip without having to charge, with some to spare. #3 This is one of the hurdles they'll have to overcome. I'm interested to see how they do it. With regard to yourself driving 300 miles round trip, do you drive the 150 miles each way without stopping (comfort break)?

[@malph9216]

@@rustyjoints4857 Yes I do. The journey is all dual carriageway and motorway, so just over 2 hours each way. Don't need a 'comfort break'.

[@AdHD1905]

Loving every button from Dacia on the steering wheel and climate control

[@ChillinLikeAVillain1210]

If her names zoe. I might be interested in the zoe 😂😍

[@net_news]

Zoe!!!!!! I love Zoe!!!!!

[@pankap70]

This felt like a disguised promo rather than a review..Maybe next time..

[@_checkit]

I think she's talking about some sort of car or smth

[@artestra]

she's great but the other guy was fine. no need to pile on constantly even when he isn't in the video

[@paulroscoe264]

Oi! You can’t park there mate........ 0:40

[@ux7mmx]

Самый красивый електрик

[@cicci0salsicci0]

Keep the girl. Get rid of the overalls.

[@nicolahume]

Noted.😉

[@CJN88]

@@nicolahume well I quite liked the overalls 🤷‍♂️

[@TeoSluga]

Running costs are lower... True, but one would have to own this car for next 10 years to turn around price difference between Clio and Zoe... The electric energy is not free. And it will get more expensive over time. Not to mention the ecological disaster if we build up thousands of super charger stations... That would be a nature fiasco...

[@asha8090]

CHAVVY WAY TO TALK HAHA 🤣

[@RomanRoman-xi3dv]

If Zoe is cheap, what then is Twingo ZE? FREE?😂🤣

[@valerieekoli9566]

Not available in the uk

[@RomanRoman-xi3dv]

@@valerieekoli9566 what about Citigo, Up, Mii?

[@XPLO1T_]

@@RomanRoman-xi3dv Those three cars are city cars available as Evs but they are the same car

[@RomanRoman-xi3dv]

@@XPLO1T_ so why are they not mentoned? Twingo is more like those 3 car and less like Zoe

[@paulmo15]

what a sexy car, plz export to Asia

[@morrisbrooks705]

Presenter is the best thing about this review

[@stevied6286]

26k!!! 26!!!! If you say it fast I suppose it doesn't sound like a year's worth of 59 hours a week..!! Absolutely ridiculous price and double the cost of any vehicle that I might consider. Even the upcoming Dacia spring at 12k after gvt ' grant is overpriced by 4k ..it's a total rip off and the reason why 25% of the car buying public..perhaps more will simply not have a new car when fossil fuel ones are not available new!!

[@Chrissssssssssssssssssss]

26k... It should be 12-15k max... :(

[@martinsmith8487]

Why ‘Zoe’ 😩

[@paris19th]

Why are u double parked in the middle of the road?

[@Silver-st2zq]

😂 it's a test track

[@willaerley7140]

£1000 for 50 kw/hr charging is bs and pathetic.

[@rustyjoints4857]

£1000 list price. We got the option for far less. Always try and chat up the sales person! 😉

[@willaerley7140]

@@rustyjoints4857 I was trying to say that 50kw/hr is still too slow and should be free.

[@rustyjoints4857]

@@willaerley7140 I agree, the CCS option should be included in all cars. From my experience so far 50kWh is fine, I only use it if driving on longer trips. If stopping for a break and something to eat you can top the car up within an hour.

[@Shreddahtrades]

I would

[@andrewlam426]

Cute girl

[@BigRobChicagoPL]

I just arrived in Germany and I keep seeing these. They look like chipmunks

[@ivarssausis6090]

Worst car to buy. Cheap & nasty. No quality. Renault customer service- one of the worst in industry! Avoid at any cost!

[@jamesscott9817]

Harsh!

[@eyalny]

If you buy a Dacia Sandero you get a longer range and it doesn’t take to fully charge it 24 hours, just 5 minutes. Electric cars are useless

[@jameswostenholme2293]

But you end up with a Dacia sandero...

[@CharlieGB03]

It takes less than 10 hours to charge and if you charge it overnight then it won’t affect you at all. Plus, if you listened, she said you’ll only need to do it once a week for an average daily commute - just like you’d refuel once a week. It’s an easy choice: go electric.

[@rustyjoints4857]

It charges in around 7 hours at home. And that's from around 10%.

[@jamesscott9817]

Please test drive an EV they are brilliant. The only obstacle is the initial cost. But in every other way they are better than fossil burners. If you can afford one buy one charging is not a real issue only a change. Never visiting a gas station is very nice!