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BMW i3 (94Ah) vs Renault Zoe (ZE40)
Selected trim94Ah · 2016-18158 mi · 33.2 kWh · £33,070
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 leads on value for money, running costs and city driving, while the Renault Zoe leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the BMW i3 (94Ah) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Renault Zoe (ZE40) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The BMW i3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueBMW
BMW
3.5
Renault
0
Motorway Range
BMW
3.3
Renault
3.1
Too close to call
FamilyRenault
BMW
4.9
Renault
6.9
ChargingRenault
BMW
3.5
Renault
4.1
Cost Per MileBMW
BMW
8.1
Renault
6.3
City DrivingBMW
BMW
9.1
Renault
8.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,070 | Not available |
| Official range | 158 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 338 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 28 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Renault Zoe
Length
BMW i34,006mm-78mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-45mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm-36mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 338 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 94Ah |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.08m+78mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.73m-45mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | Not available |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.56m-36mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.59m+18mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 338L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.56m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,300kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 33.2kWh | 41kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 158 mi | 174 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 43kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,070 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2016–2018 | 2017–2019 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 158 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 104 miles | 145 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 28 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 43 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.4 kW | 43 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 136 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 27.2 kWh | 40 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec | Not available |
| Power | 125 kW (better) | 65 kW |
| Torque | 250 Nm (better) | 220 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £8,610 | £5,895 |
| Average used price | £9,740 | £7,400 |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 94Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90
Tested 2013
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i394Ah | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag infotainment & software, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
BMW i3
94Ah
Owners love
- Excellent efficiency and range for a compact EV, with owners achieving 115-143 miles on electric power and 250+ miles combined with Range Extender
- Innovative, well-engineered design with lightweight carbon fiber construction and clever packaging that feels spacious inside despite compact exterior
- Fun, responsive driving dynamics with excellent handling, strong regenerative braking enabling one-pedal driving, and rear-wheel-drive traction
Watch out for
- Winter heating system significantly reduces real-world range by 20-25%, making 60Ah models marginal for UK winter commuting
- Range Extender adds weight causing tail-heavy handling, reduces overall efficiency to ~36mpg, makes unpleasant engine noise, and requires regular fuel use for engine maintenance
- High-voltage component failures (EME/inverter) reported in some cases with extremely expensive repairs (£10,000+) unavailable outside BMW dealers
Owner tips
- Choose 94Ah battery over 60Ah for significantly better winter range and usability; target 2016+ model year for improved reliability, ideally 2018+ for LED headlights
- Install home 7kW charging and use smart tariffs like Octopus Go for cost-effective daily charging; use InstaVolt or Osprey for reliable public rapid charging
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
Owners love
- Smooth, comfortable driving experience with instant electric acceleration and low center of gravity providing excellent handling
- Minimal maintenance with fewer mechanical parts than ICE vehicles; owners report excellent reliability with minimal repairs over 50k+ miles
- Good real-world range of 120-170 miles depending on conditions and battery size, suitable for daily driving and planned longer journeys
Watch out for
- No CCS fast charging capability on most Zoe models; limited to 22kW AC charging, making long journeys time-consuming (8+ hours with multiple stops)
- Very small glovebox and rear seats that don't fold flat, limiting practical storage and cargo flexibility
- AC-only charging infrastructure becoming scarce; 44kW rapid chargers increasingly hard to find in the UK
Owner tips
- Apply PTFE spray to charging socket gasket before winter to prevent freezing; keep spare remote control batteries on hand as they deplete quickly
- Set tire pressure to 40psi instead of Renault's recommendation to reduce premature edge wear; use heavy-duty rated replacement tires suited to the vehicle's weight
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
What are the BMW i3 and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 104 miles for the BMW i3 and 145 miles for the Renault Zoe - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Zoe goes roughly 41 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Renault Zoe?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 45 mm narrower than the BMW i3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The BMW i3 also turns in a 0.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 87% battery health for the BMW i3 and 84% for the Renault Zoe. That gives the BMW i3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
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See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Renault Zoe rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Zoe rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Renault Zoe ZE 40 (2017-2019): Range, Battery Hire & What to Check
A used Renault Zoe ZE 40 buyer’s guide: R90 vs Q90 vs R110, realistic range today, owned vs hired batteries, the battery warranty, common faults, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .