Renault Zoe Z.E. Q210

Overview

The 2016 Renault Zoe Z.E. Q210 was a real trailblazer in the compact EV scene, offering an accessible and stylish electric driving experience across Europe. Produced in France from 2012 to 2016, this particular trim's party piece was its impressive AC charging capability. As a discontinued model, it's now a very tempting used buy, with examples like this Q210 available for around €3,450 in the EU. It was a proper popular choice for city slickers wanting to go green without breaking the bank, setting the stage for future electric superminis.

What's New for 2016?

For 2016, the Q210 variant of the Zoe Z.E. was in its final year, but it still packed a unique punch. Its standout feature remained the clever Chameleon charger, allowing it to slurp AC electricity at up to a whopping 43kW – a rare feat then and still respectable now! While Renault began rolling out newer Zoe versions with different motors (like the R240 offering more range but slower 22kW AC charging), the Q210 held its ground as the go-to for rapid AC top-ups, making it distinct in the evolving Zoe line-up.

Design & Exterior

The 2016 Renault Zoe Z.E. Q210 sports a cheeky, futuristic hatchback design that still looks fresh. Its compact dimensions, measuring 4084 mm in length, 1730 mm in width (excluding mirrors), and 1562 mm in height, make it a doddle to park in tight city spots. Signature touches include the blue-tinted Renault diamond badge that cleverly hides the charge port, and distinctive friendly-faced headlamps. It’s a friendly, approachable design that's unmistakably Renault, offering a stylish entry into electric motoring that turned heads on European streets.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Step inside the Zoe Q210, and you're greeted by a light, airy cabin with a focus on simplicity and eco-conscious materials. It’s surprisingly spacious for a supermini, comfortably seating five. For your bits and bobs, there's a decent 338-litre boot, expanding to a generous 1225 litres with the rear seats folded down. While it doesn't feature a frunk, the main boot is plenty practical. Tech-wise, early models usually featured Renault's R-Link infotainment system with a touchscreen, navigation, and basic connected services, keeping you entertained and on track.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Zoe Q210 is a proper city whizz! Its single PMSM electric motor delivers 65 kW of power and a handy 220 Nm of torque to the front wheels, making it feel nippy off the line. Officially, 0-100 km/h takes a leisurely 13.5 seconds, with a top speed of 135 km/h, but it’s the instant torque that makes it feel quicker in urban sprints. The ride is generally comfortable, soaking up city bumps well, and its light steering makes manoeuvring a breeze. Regenerative braking helps to claw back some energy too.

Range, Battery & Charging

Rocking a 23.3 kWh usable battery capacity (25.9 kWh nominal), Green Cars Compare's calculated 'real-world' range estimate for the Zoe Q210 is a practical 158 km, with an efficiency of 6.78 km/kWh. Its ace card is the standard 43kW on-board AC charger using a Type 2 (Mennekes) port, allowing a full charge in around 30-60 minutes from a compatible high-power AC station – seriously quick for its era! The 400V architecture supports this. While it lacks dedicated DC fast charging, its AC prowess was class-leading for quick top-ups.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety was a big plus for the Zoe, achieving a top-notch 5-star rating from Euro NCAP. Standard kit on the Q210 typically included essentials like ABS, ESP, and a suite of airbags to keep occupants protected. Driver assistance features for this 2016 model were more basic, usually comprising cruise control with a speed limiter and the Z.E. Voice pedestrian warning system. While it might not have the advanced active safety tech of newer cars, its strong crash-test performance offers good peace of mind.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new, Renault typically offered a vehicle warranty of around 3 to 5 years or 100,000 km in Europe for the Zoe. The crucial battery pack often came with an 8-year/160,000 km warranty, guaranteeing a certain level of health. It's worth noting many early Zoes were sold with a battery lease scheme, separating battery ownership from the car. Maintenance is generally low-stress with EVs – think tyres, brakes, and cabin filters. Overall, the Zoe has proven to be a fairly reliable little electric runabout, especially for city duties.