Renault Zoe 2020 UK first drive

Europe can’t seem to get enough of the Renault Zoe compact electric supermini. 

On the continent, more Renault  Zoes were sold in January than any other EV, largely thanks to an interior and exterior overhaul that also saw the introduction of a new, more potent Renault Zoe powertrain and higher capacity battery.

That car has now touched down in the UK, with a 52kWh battery good enough for a WLTP-certified 238 miles of range. That’s a 30% increase over the old car, which Renault expects to have a big impact on customers weighing up whether to make their next car an electric one.

It also bodes well against the upcoming tidal wave of affordable EVs including the Honda E, Mini Electric, Peugeot e-208 and Vauxhall Corsa-e, of which only the PSA models can claim to go further on a single charge, even if real-world driving will see that figure nudge under 200 miles in the summer months, and closer to 160 in the winter.

Renault is also sweetening the deal with a 7kW wallbox included with the price of the car, for anyone making the switch to electric for the first time, although 50kW DC rapid charging is an optional extra.

This new Zoe feels much more at ease on a greater proportion of Britain’s roads than the old model. The 132bhp delivered to the front wheels is a healthy increase over the old 106bhp R110 motor (which has now been relegated to entry-level status) and strips nearly two seconds from the 0-62mph sprint. That puts off-the-line pace in check with other affordable EVs, though both the Vauxhall Corsa-e and the larger MG ZS EV reach our national speed limit a second quicker. It also improves acceleration between 50 and 70 to a similar degree, which makes a big difference to motorway driving.

Drive modes are now split between D and B using a strangely mechanical gear selector, which feels at odds with the smooth, silent powertrain. The latter mode provides just enough regenerative braking for one-pedal driving. It’s far smoother than an MG ZS EV or Kia e-Niro at maximum regen, though there’s no option to dial the intensity up or down.

Sci-fi whooshing noises that accompany you up to 20mph are certain to be one of those marmite moments for electric car converts, and Renault’s are particularly noticeable. It certainly puts some drama into shorter trips, but if you aren’t a fan the button to disable them is within easy reach.