Renault Zoe Van Z.E. 40 R90

Overview

The 2019 Renault Zoe Z.E. 40 R90 was a cracking little electric supermini, a real pioneer in making EVs accessible across Europe. This particular discontinued trim, produced from 2016 to 2019 in France, packed a 41 kWh usable battery, offering a solid urban punch. It was known for its user-friendly nature and impressively quick AC charging. With a used price around €6,950, it represents a savvy buy on the pre-owned market for city dwellers looking for a no-fuss electric runabout.

What's New for 2019?

By 2019, the Zoe Z.E. 40 R90 was a well-established model, representing the final iteration of this particular configuration before a major Zoe update later that year. While not a year of dramatic overhauls for this specific trim, it solidified its offering with the proven 41 kWh battery and the Renault-developed R90 motor, focusing on efficiency and strong AC charging capabilities. Any updates were likely minor trim or infotainment refinements, as Renault prepared for its next-generation Zoe with a larger battery pack and updated styling.

Design & Exterior

The 2019 Zoe 40 R90 rocks that classic, friendly Zoe design – a compact hatchback that’s instantly recognizable and looks right at home on tight city streets. Its dimensions are perfectly urban-friendly: 4084 mm in length, a neat 1730 mm in width (mirrors aside), and 1562 mm tall. Styling cues like its distinctive headlights and smooth lines still look fresh. While specifics vary, this trim often featured practical wheel designs suited for daily driving, contributing to its overall charming and approachable aesthetic.

Interior, Tech & Cargo

Inside, the Zoe 40 R90 offers a straightforward and functional cabin. This specific version featured a practical two-seat layout. While the trunk capacity with seats in place isn't specified, it boasts a generous 1000 litres of cargo space when the rear area is fully utilized for storage, though it doesn't come with a frunk. Tech-wise, you'd typically find Renault's R-Link infotainment system, often with navigation, housed in a central touchscreen, keeping you connected on your urban adventures. Material quality is what you'd expect for a value-focused city EV.

Performance & Driving Experience

Don't let its cute looks fool you; the Zoe 40 R90 is surprisingly zippy for city driving! Its front-wheel-drive setup, powered by a single Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM), delivers 68 kW and a handy 220 Nm of torque. This translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint in 13.2 seconds and a top speed of 135 km/h – more than enough for urban commutes and the odd motorway jaunt. It’s known for its light steering, comfortable ride, and nimble handling, making nipping through traffic a breeze.

Range, Battery & Charging

The Zoe 40 R90 is equipped with a 41 kWh usable battery pack (44.1 kWh nominal), giving it a Green Cars Compare estimated real-world range of 286 km – pretty decent for its class and age! It sips energy at a rate of 6.98 km/kWh. A key strength is its standard 22 kW on-board AC charger using a Type 2 (Mennekes) port, allowing a full top-up in just a couple of hours from a compatible public charger. This R90 variant relies solely on AC charging, as DC fast charging capability isn't specified for this trim.

Safety & Driver-Assistance Features

Safety-wise, the Renault Zoe generation achieved a commendable 5-star rating from Euro NCAP, reflecting its solid crash protection. For the 2019 40 R90, standard safety kit included essentials like multiple airbags, ABS, and ESP. While advanced driver-assistance systems like adaptive cruise control or lane-keeping assist weren't typically standard on this trim level, features such as cruise control with a speed limiter and potentially rear parking sensors were often part of the package, keeping you secure on your city missions.

Warranty & Maintenance Coverage

When new in Europe, Renault typically offered a basic vehicle warranty of around 2 to 3 years or up to 100,000 km. The crucial battery warranty for the Z.E. 40 models was generally 8 years or 160,000 km, guaranteeing a minimum percentage of its original capacity (often around 66-70%). As an EV, maintenance is simpler than a petrol car, mainly involving checks on brakes, tyres, and the electrical system. Overall reliability for the Zoe has been fairly robust, especially for these later 40 kWh models.