Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 R90

Overview

The Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 R90 was a cracking little supermini that really helped bring electric motoring to the masses in Europe. By 2019, it was a well-established player, offering a practical and affordable entry into EV ownership. Its key strengths were its user-friendly nature, surprisingly zippy city performance, and a decent real-world range for its class at the time. Used examples of this R90 from its final production year can be found for around €6,750, making it a proper bargain for a stylish, zero-emission runabout.

What's New for 2019?

By 2019, the Zoe Z.E. 40 R90 was a mature product, representing the culmination of this particular iteration before a major refresh later in the year. For this specific 40 R90 model in its final production run, there weren't ground-breaking new features compared to the immediately preceding year. Instead, buyers in 2019 got a refined package that had benefited from several years of updates, particularly the Z.E. 40 battery upgrade from late 2016 which significantly boosted its appeal. It was a case of Renault sticking with a winning formula for this popular electric hatch.

Design & Exterior

The 2019 Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 R90 keeps the chic, friendly supermini design that made it a hit. It's compact and charming, with those distinctive blue-tinted headlights and smooth, flowing lines that still look fresh. It’s a proper city slicker! Dimensions are neat: 4084 mm long, 1730 mm wide (excluding mirrors), and 1562 mm tall, making it a doddle to park. The R90 trim usually came with stylish alloy wheels, adding a bit of flair to its already cute looks. It’s unmistakably a Zoe, and that’s a good thing.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside the 2019 Zoe 40 R90, you'll find a surprisingly spacious cabin for a supermini, with a light and airy feel. Materials are generally robust, if not super premium, but it's well put together. Passenger space is decent for four adults on shorter journeys. Tech-wise, most models feature Renault's R-Link infotainment system with a central touchscreen, usually including navigation and Bluetooth. Boot space is a very practical 338 litres, expanding to a generous 1225 litres with the rear seats folded. Sadly, there's no frunk on this little gem.

Performance & Driving Experience

The Zoe 40 R90 is a peppy performer, perfect for darting through city traffic! Its front-wheel-drive setup is powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) delivering 68 kW and a healthy 220 Nm of instant torque. This translates to a 0-100 km/h dash in 13.2 seconds – not lightning quick, but plenty nippy for urban duties. The ride is generally comfortable, soaking up bumps well, and the regenerative braking helps to claw back some energy. It's an easy and enjoyable car to pilot around town.

Range, Battery & Charging

Packing a 41 kWh usable battery, the Zoe 40 R90 offers a Green Cars Compare calculated real-world range of around 286 km, which is pretty handy. Energy consumption is a respectable 6.98 km/kWh. A standout feature for this R90 version is its standard 22 kW AC on-board charger via its Type 2 (Mennekes) port, allowing a full charge in roughly 2-3 hours from a compatible public charger or wallbox. DC fast charging wasn't typically equipped on this R90 variant, as it prioritized faster AC charging capabilities for convenience.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety is a strong point for the Zoe, with this iteration proudly wearing a 5-star Euro NCAP rating – top marks! While it might not be bristling with the very latest active safety tech found on brand-new models, standard kit typically included essentials like multiple airbags, ABS, and electronic stability control. Depending on the specific version and any options packs chosen by the original owner, features like cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking sensors, and a reversing camera could also be found, enhancing everyday ease of use.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new, Renault typically offered a competitive warranty package for the Zoe in Europe. This often included a basic vehicle warranty for around 3 years or 100,000 km, and crucially, a battery warranty for 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing a certain percentage of its original capacity (often 70-75%). The electric motor and powertrain components were also covered. Maintenance for EVs like the Zoe is generally lower than petrol cars due to fewer moving parts, making for potentially cheaper running costs over time. This Zoe had become a fairly reliable choice.