Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Renault Zoe (2013-2024) - Interior, design and technology

Rivals feel much better built than the Zoe, whose infotainment system is well behind the curve now too

Renault ZOE - front cornering
Interior, design and technology rating

2.0

How we review cars
Find your Renault ZOE
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

This is an archived review of the 2013-2024 Renault Zoe. If you are interested in information about a used Renault Zoe, or news about the latest Renault models, please follow the links provided.

Renault says the Zoe was designed “from the ground up” as an electric car, although it has been developed on the platform used by the Renault Clio, as well as the Nissan Note

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Zoe is distinctive thanks to its neat light clusters, and a sleek exterior with few features to disrupt the airflow and cause unwelcome drag. Notably, it also has a high shoulderline and small window area designed to cut heat build-up and loss – important for reducing the demands on the battery-sapping climate control.

There are now just two trim levels for the Zoe – Techno and Iconic – the only difference being pricier models get 17-inch alloy wheels and 50kW rapid charging as standard. Glacier White is the standard paint colour, with another six hues on the options list. Specifying one of the metallic colours will cost either £600 or £700.

Inside, the interior borrows heavily from the latest Clio and Captur, making use of soft-touch plastics along the dashboard, but instead of conventional dials, the Zoe features a 10-inch digital driver’s display that shows your range and speed, as well as graphics telling you whether the regenerative systems are pumping energy back into the battery, or discharging it.

Renault has tried to create a modern, minimalist feel with lots of light-coloured trim, but has stuck with rotary dials for the climate controls and physical buttons on the dash and steering wheel so everything is easy to find and control on the move. The result is a very functional cabin that lacks the flair or premium quality of rivals like the Peugeot e-208. The material and build quality doesn’t match the Zoe’s roughly £30,000 starting price either, which will turn some buyers off if their shortlist also includes the MG4 EV, Nissan Leaf or e-208.

Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment

The Zoe used to be fitted with either a seven- or 9.3-inch portrait central touchscreen depending on which specification you went for, but now all models feature the larger display running Renault’s EasyLink infotainment system. The graphics are sharp enough and the menus are relatively easy to navigate, but the screen isn’t the most responsive we’ve seen in this class of EVs. Luckily, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity are standard across the line-up, as is sat-nav.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,155Avg. savings £1,844 off RRP*Used from £8,199
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,135Avg. savings £5,771 off RRP*Used from £13,571
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £27,795Avg. savings £2,400 off RRP*Used from £18,203
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,405Avg. savings £2,749 off RRP*Used from £12,220
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front corner right

Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price

The Golf GTI has skilfully combined racy performance with everyday useability for nearly 50 years. It’s our Deal of the Day for 10 February
News
10 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025