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Hyundai INSTER vs Renault Zoe (ZE40)
Selected trim01Change trim203 mi · 42 kWh · £23,755
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai INSTER leads on value for money, motorway range and running costs, while the Renault Zoe leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai INSTER if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
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 Hyundai INSTER leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueHyundai
Hyundai
6
Renault
0
Motorway RangeHyundai
Hyundai
3.8
Renault
3.1
FamilyRenault
Hyundai
6
Renault
6.9
ChargingRenault
Hyundai
3.6
Renault
4.1
Cost Per MileHyundai
Hyundai
6.9
Renault
6.3
City Driving
Hyundai
8.8
Renault
8.4
Too close to call
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 | Hyundai INSTER01 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £23,755 | Not available |
| Official range | 203 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Boot space | 280 L | 338 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 11.7 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
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Hyundai INSTER
Renault Zoe
Length
Hyundai INSTER3,825mm-259mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm
Width
Hyundai INSTER1,610mm-120mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm
Height
Hyundai INSTER1,575mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm-13mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,825 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,610 mm (better) | 1,730 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,875 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,575 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 790 mm spare (better) | 670 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 4 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 280 L | 338 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1059 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai INSTER
- Uses 143 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 85% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 1,610 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai INSTER 01 |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.83m | 4.08m+259mm |
| Width | 1.61m | 1.73m+120mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 1.88m | Not available |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.56m-13mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.58m | 2.59m+8mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 280L | 338L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1059L | Not available |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 10.56m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,349kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42kWh (better) | 41kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 203 mi (better) | 174 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 73kW (better) | 43kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £23,755 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2017–2019 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 203 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 145 miles | 145 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 73 kW (better) | 43 kW |
| Home AC charging | 10.5 kW | 43 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 143 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 42 kWh (better) | 40 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai INSTER01 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.7 sec | Not available |
| Power | 71 kW (better) | 65 kW |
| Torque | 147 Nm | 220 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Hyundai INSTER
01
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Hyundai INSTER
All 3 videos
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 | Hyundai INSTER01 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £18,900 | £5,895 |
| Average used price | £18,990 | £7,400 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 10.5% over ~6 months | Up 7.3% over ~6 months |
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 - Hyundai INSTER 01
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant70%
Child Occupant81%
Vulnerable Road Users70%
Safety Assist67%
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 | Hyundai INSTER01 | 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 dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Hyundai INSTER
01
Owners love
- Owners rate the rear space highly for a car under four metres long, especially the sliding rear bench on the 02.
- It is easy and relaxing to drive in town, and rides poor road surfaces better than its size suggests.
- Owners report efficient running, around 4.3 miles per kWh in everyday use.
Watch out for
- Acceleration is modest, and some owners find it slow at motorway speeds.
- The cabin is narrow: taller drivers report their knee touching the door.
- There is no wireless Apple CarPlay; owners use a plug-in adapter.
Owner tips
- Check whether a car has the Tech Pack if you want to power appliances from it.
- Look at the inner edge of the front tyres and ask when the alignment was last checked.
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
Hyundai INSTER
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Hyundai INSTER
- £18,9902026Cars2View
- £18,9902026Cars2View
- £22,9902026Cars2View
Renault Zoe
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Hyundai INSTER and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 145 miles for the Hyundai INSTER and 145 miles for the Renault Zoe - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai INSTER or the Renault Zoe?
The Hyundai INSTER is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 120 mm narrower than the Renault Zoe. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 790 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai INSTER and about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai INSTER or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Hyundai INSTER and 84% for the Renault Zoe. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. 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 Hyundai INSTER and Renault Zoe rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Hyundai INSTER and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai INSTER and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai INSTER and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Hyundai INSTER and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Hyundai INSTER 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 Hyundai INSTER (2025-on): 42 vs 49 kWh, Recalls & What to Pay
A used Hyundai INSTER buyer’s guide: the 01, 02 and Cross compared, real-world range, the coolant valve recall, the Tech Pack, warranty left, 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 .