Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 Q90

Overview

The Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 Q90 was a cracking little electric supermini that, while not officially gracing US shores, made big waves in Europe. For 2019, this particular Q90 trim represented one of the last chances to grab the version known for its then-remarkable 41 kWh battery and, crucially, its super-swift 43kW AC charging – a proper game-changer for top-ups! It was a city-slicker designed to make EV ownership easy and affordable. Official US pricing isn't available as it was never sold stateside, and the provided data has no price information.

What's New for 2019?

For the 2019 model year, the Zoe Z.E. 40 Q90 was essentially in its final run, as Renault was transitioning its motor strategy. This means it was largely a carry-over of the spec that made it popular: the 41 kWh battery pack offering a decent real-world range for its class. The main "new" thing for a 2019 Q90 buyer was knowing you were getting the last of the line with that specific Continental-sourced motor celebrated for its unique ability to gulp down AC power at up to 43kW, a feature less common on later Zoe iterations.

Design & Exterior

The 2019 Zoe Z.E. 40 Q90 keeps that quintessential compact European hatchback charm – chic, a bit cheeky, and perfectly proportioned for city life. It’s compact, measuring 160.8 inches long, 68.1 inches wide (excluding mirrors), and 61.5 inches tall. You'd spot it by its smooth lines, distinctive blue-tinted Renault badges, and likely modest alloy wheels. While not a shouty design, its friendly face and practical shape made it a common sight on European roads, fitting neatly into tight parking spots and zipping through urban jungles.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside the 2019 Zoe Q90, you'll find a surprisingly airy cabin for its size, though material quality is more functional than fancy – typical for a value-focused Euro supermini. Passenger space is decent for four adults on shorter city hops. For your gear, there's a useful 11.9 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a generous 43.3 cubic feet with the rear seats flopped down. No frunk here, though! Tech-wise, it features Renault's R-Link infotainment system, and by this model year, Android Auto was likely included, making smartphone integration a bit easier.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its cute looks fool you; the Zoe Q90 has a bit of pep for city driving! Its front-wheel-drive setup is powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor dishing out 65 kW (that's about 87 hp) and a healthy 162 lb-ft of instant torque. This means a 0-60 mph dash in a leisurely 12.7 seconds, but it feels zippier off the line thanks to that EV punch. It's engineered for nippy urban cruising with a comfortable ride, light steering, and effective regenerative braking to claw back some energy. Top speed is 84 mph.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Zoe Q90 packs a 41 kWh usable battery, delivering a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 173 miles – pretty solid for a 2019 city EV! It boasts an efficiency of 4.22 mi/kWh. The Q90’s absolute party trick is its standard 43kW AC on-board charger, using the European Type 2 (Mennekes) port. This means you could potentially zap it from low to full in just over an hour at a compatible high-power AC station! It doesn't offer DC fast charging; its superpower is that incredibly rapid AC capability.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

While it never faced NHTSA tests due to not being sold in the US, the Renault Zoe generation did score a full 5 stars in Euro NCAP testing, which is reassuring. For a 2019 model in this class, driver-assistance features on the Q90 trim were likely geared towards essentials. You'd expect things like cruise control with a speed limiter, rear parking sensors, and the usual suite of airbags and stability control. More advanced systems like adaptive cruise or comprehensive lane keeping weren't typically standard fare on this particular variant at the time.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

Though US warranties aren't applicable, in Europe, Renault typically offered a basic vehicle warranty such as 3 years/60,000 miles or sometimes up to 5 years/100,000 km. The crucial battery warranty was usually competitive, often around 8 years or 100,000 miles, with a guarantee against excessive degradation (e.g., to 70% state-of-health). Powertrain coverage would generally align with this. Complimentary maintenance was typically not a significant Renault perk. Zoes have generally proven fairly reliable for their class, with battery health being a key watchpoint as with any EV.