Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 R90

Overview

Alright folks, check out the 2019 Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 R90! This little French firecracker was a big hit across the pond, a proper city slicker EV designed for nipping through tight European streets. While never officially sold stateside, meaning no official US pricing when new or used from the factory, its 40 R90 trim boasts a solid 178-mile real-world range from its 41 kWh battery. It’s a quirky, practical hatchback that offered impressive range for its class back in 2019, making it a compelling urban EV package. Think of it as Europe’s cheeky answer to compact electric motoring!

What's New for 2019?

For 2019, the Zoe Z.E. 40 R90 was rocking the larger 41 kWh battery pack that had already massively boosted its cred a couple of years prior, leaving older 22 kWh versions in the dust. This specific R90 variant, with its Renault-made motor, was all about maximizing that AC charging convenience. While not a ground-up redesign for this model year – that came later – it represented a mature version of Renault’s popular EV, honing its city-focused formula before a bigger refresh. Think of it as the well-sorted veteran of the early EV scene.

Design & Exterior

This Zoe’s got that chic European supermini vibe down pat! It’s compact, cute, and just a bit futuristic with its smooth lines and distinctive (for Europe) blue-badged Renault identity. The R90 trim keeps things neat, often with aero-friendly wheels. We're talking a tidy 160.8 inches long, a svelte 68.1 inches wide (mirrors tucked!), and 61.5 inches tall – perfect for squeezing into those non-existent US parking spots. Those hidden rear door handles? A slick touch that makes it look almost like a little coupe. It’s got a cheeky charm, this one!

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Hop inside the Zoe R90 and you’ll find a cabin that’s functional and surprisingly airy for its size, though perhaps a bit basic by today's flashiest standards. Materials are honest, built for daily duties. Passenger space is decent up front; the back's best for city hops. You get a handy 11.9 cubic feet of trunk space, expanding to a useful 43.3 cubic feet with the seats down – no frunk here, though. The R-Link infotainment, typically a 7-inch touchscreen, handled media and nav, though CarPlay/Android Auto became more common right after this model year.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let the cute looks fool ya; this Zoe R90 is a proper little terrier in town! Its front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a 68 kW (that’s about 91 hp) Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor, delivers a surprising 162 lb-ft of instant torque. Nought to 60 mph takes a leisurely 12.7 seconds, but it feels quicker off the line, perfect for darting through city traffic. The ride is comfy, steering is light making it a doddle to park, and regenerative braking helps claw back some precious miles. It's all about smooth, silent urban progress.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Zoe R90 packs a 41 kWh usable battery, good for a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of 178 miles – pretty respectable! Efficiency is a neat 4.34 mi/kWh. Now, for charging: its party trick is the standard 22 kW AC on-board charger, meaning a full top-up can take around 2-3 hours on a compatible unit! The catch? This R90 trim has no DC fast-charging capability. The charge port is a European Type 2 (Mennekes); for US AC charging, you'd need an adapter for J1772, and DC fast charge stations are a no-go.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

When it comes to safety, this little Renault punches above its weight, bagging a top 5-star rating from Euro NCAP, which is a big thumbs up! As it wasn't sold in the US, there's no official NHTSA score. For a 2019 supermini, driver-assistance was typically more basic. You’d find essentials like multiple airbags, ABS, and stability control as standard. Features like rear parking sensors were common, but more advanced ADAS like adaptive cruise control or active lane keeping weren't usually part of the R90's standard kit in this era. Still, fundamentally sound!

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

If this Zoe R90 magically appeared in the US, warranty would be a bit of a grey area since it wasn't officially sold. In Europe, Renault typically offered something like a 3-year basic vehicle warranty and an 8-year/100,000-mile battery warranty with a degradation guarantee, often around 70% state-of-health. Powertrain coverage would align with the basic warranty. EVs mean less maintenance – no oil changes! Reliability for the Zoe has generally been decent, but as with any EV, battery health is key on a used example. Always get it checked!