Renault ZOE hatchback - Interior & comfort

First and foremost, the ZOE is definitely quiet. On the move below 20mph, it emits a sound similar to someone blowing on a wine bottle – purely to make sure that you don't take pedestrians or cyclists by surprise and startle them. Once you get above 40mph, however, there's a little more noise from the special low-resistance tyres, but it's still a really quiet car on the road, even driving at 70mph on the motorway. It's so refined and smooth that you’re unlikely to miss the hum of an engine, while the seats are soft and supportive. In fact, in some models, the seat upholstery is made from recycled plastic bottles and seat belts.

Renault ZOE dashboard

The new ZOE has a vastly improved dashboard, borrowed from the new Renault Clio. Taking centre stage is a new touchscreen, which is 9.3 inches and very impressive in top-spec models. It’s no longer wantonly futuristic-looking, but it now feels much more upmarket - especially without a swathe of bland-coloured plastics.

Equipment

The ZOE range was revised in 2019 with the introduction of the new model, to match the rest of the Renault range. Entry-level Play trim features a seven-inch touchscreen multimedia system and smartphone mirroring. You also get air conditioning, cruise control, air-con and auto headlights.

Step up to the Iconic trim (expected to be the most popular) and the ZOE is surprisingly luxurious, thanks to climate control, wireless phone charging, lane-keeping assistance and alloy wheels. Iconic is the one we’d pick, for its extra safety features and split-folding rear seats. Top-of-the-range GT Edition features a reversing camera, different upholstery and the big touchscreen.

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All ZOE owners can make use of MY Renault app, which allows battery level and charging status to be remotely monitored on your smartphone or computer. The app also allows you to control and schedule charging of your ZOE remotely to take advantage of lower off-peak electricity rates, while you can also pre-set the climate-control temperature.

Options

The ZOE can be enhanced with 17-inch alloy wheels and an upgraded Bose stereo system, while metallic paint are available as options. Meanwhile, you can enhance the interior with a blue or purple styling pack and heated front seats.