Renault Zoe Z.E. R240

Overview

Cheeky French supermini goes electric! The 2016 Renault Zoe Z.E. R240 was Europe's darling city slicker, a compact hatch that unfortunately never officially graced US shores. This R240 trim focused on wringing out maximum miles from its battery, making it a smart, eco-friendly runabout. Think of it as a stylish, zero-emissions alternative to your typical subcompact, packed with Gallic charm. Since it wasn't sold stateside, new or used US pricing is unavailable, but it was a popular affordable EV choice across the pond, known for its zippy urban manners and distinctive looks.

What's New for 2016?

For 2016, the big story with the Zoe R240 was its improved, Renault-designed electric motor. This new R240 unit, introduced the previous year, was all about boosting real-world range and efficiency compared to the older Q210 motor found in other Zoes. While it sacrificed the Q-model's super-fast 43kW AC charging capabilities, the R240 gained a bit more driving distance and was more flexible with lower-power home AC charging installations. It was a subtle but smart tweak, making the Zoe an even more practical daily driver for European buyers looking for efficiency.

Design & Exterior

The Zoe R240 is a proper funky-looking supermini! It’s got this friendly face with distinctive blue-tinted headlights and cleverly hidden rear door handles giving it a neat, almost coupe-like profile. It’s wonderfully compact, measuring just 160.8 inches long, 68.1 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 61.5 inches tall – absolutely perfect for nipping through congested city streets and squeezing into tight parking spots. The R240 trim kept things relatively simple on the outside, but its overall design still looks fresh and unmistakably Renault, helping it win hearts across Europe.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Zoe R240 is surprisingly airy for a small car, with a minimalist dash often featuring a central touchscreen for Renault’s R-Link infotainment – though don't expect slick smartphone mirroring like Apple CarPlay or Android Auto from this 2016 iteration. Materials are generally hard-wearing plastics, fitting its city car brief, but with some neat design touches. It officially seats five, though four adults will be more comfortable. You get a decent 11.9 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a very useful 43.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. No frunk here, though!

Performance & Driving Experience

Don’t expect Tesla-style ludicrous speed, but the Zoe R240 is plenty nippy for city duties. Its front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) churning out 65 kW (that's about 87 hp) and a healthy 162 lb-ft of instant torque, gets you from 0-60 mph in a relaxed 13 seconds, with a top speed of 84 mph. It's more about smooth, silent progress and darting through traffic with ease. The ride is generally comfy, soaking up urban bumps, and regenerative braking helps to claw back some precious range.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Zoe R240 packs a 23.3 kWh usable battery, good for a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of 112 miles – respectable for a 2016 city EV. It’s pretty efficient too, rated at 4.81 mi/kWh. For charging, it exclusively used AC power via Europe's Type 2 (Mennekes) port. A standout feature for its time, the R240 could handle AC charging at up to a rather brisk 22 kW from a compatible public or home unit, meaning a full top-up could theoretically happen in just over an hour. No DC fast-charging port was fitted.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety-wise, the Renault Zoe scored a top-notch 5-star rating from Euro NCAP, which is impressive for a small car. However, as it wasn't sold in the US, it was never tested by the NHTSA. Being a 2016 model aimed at affordability, don't expect a huge suite of advanced driver-assistance systems. Standard kit would include essentials like multiple airbags, ABS, and stability control. You might find basic cruise control and a speed limiter, but features like adaptive cruise control or active lane-keeping assist weren't typically part of the R240's standard equipment.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Since the Zoe R240 wasn't sold in the US, official American warranty details don't exist. In Europe, Renault typically offered a comprehensive vehicle warranty, often around 4 years/100,000 miles for the car itself in markets like the UK. The crucial battery pack usually came with a separate warranty, perhaps 5 years/100,000 miles, guaranteeing a certain percentage of its original capacity, though some markets had battery leasing schemes. Powertrain coverage often mirrored the battery's. As an EV, expect delightfully low maintenance – no oil changes here, just pure electric goodness!