Loading comparison
Renault 5 vs Renault Zoe
Selected trimEvolutionChange trim191 mi · 40 kWh · £22,995
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault 5 leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality, while the Renault Zoe stays competitive across the board.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault 5 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 need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault 5 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value5
5
6
Zoe
0
Motorway Range5
5
4.2
Zoe
3.5
Family5
5
5.9
Zoe
2.8
Charging
5
3.5
Zoe
3.6
Too close to call
Cost Per Mile5
5
8.8
Zoe
8.3
City Driving
5
8.7
Zoe
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 | Renault 5Evolution | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £22,995 | Not available |
| Official range | 191 miles | 239 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 326 L | 338 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 31 min | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Renault 5
Renault Zoe
Length
Renault 53,922mm-162mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm
Width
Renault 51,808mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-78mm
Height
Renault 51,498mm-64mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 3,922 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,808 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,020 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,498 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.3 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 592 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 326 L | 338 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1106 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault 5 Evolution |  Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 3.92m | 4.08m+162mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.73m-78mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.02m | Not available |
| Height | 1.50m | 1.56m+64mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.54m | 2.59m+48mm |
| Ground Clearance | 145mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 326L | 338L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1106L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.3m (better) | 10.56m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,463kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40kWh | 52kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 191 mi | 239 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 80kW (better) | 22kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £22,995 | Not available |
| Price after EV grant | £21,495 (-£1,500) | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2025+ | 2020–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 191 miles | 239 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 160 miles | 199 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 31 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 80 kW (better) | 22 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 40 kWh | 49.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 90 kW (better) | 80 kW |
| Torque | 225 Nm | 245 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Renault 5
Evolution
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Renault 5
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 | Renault 5Evolution | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £19,804 | £7,650 |
| Average used price | £20,974 | £9,000 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 26 listings | 142 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 20.9% over ~6 months | Up 18.8% 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 - Renault 5 Evolution
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant80%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users76%
Safety Assist68%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant43%
Child Occupant52%
Vulnerable Road Users41%
Safety Assist14%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Renault 5Evolution | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Renault 5
Evolution
Owners love
- Owners love the design and say it is fun, nimble and easy to park in town.
- The interior feels well made for the price, with comfortable front seats and physical climate buttons.
- The Google-based infotainment is quick and easy to use, and phone mirroring works well.
Watch out for
- Rear legroom is very tight, so owners call it a car for two adults or a family with small children.
- Real-world range falls well short of WLTP for some owners, especially in cold weather or on fast roads.
- There is no true one-pedal driving: the strongest regen setting still needs the brake to stop.
Owner tips
- If smart charging fails, ask the dealer for the latest software and set charging from the car's own schedule.
- Choose the 52 kWh battery if you do regular longer trips.
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Owners love
- Owners report good real-world range of 200-240 miles on newer ZE50 models, with CCS rapid charging enabling manageable longer journeys
- Very low running costs compared to petrol vehicles, with electricity expenses roughly one-third the fuel cost and minimal maintenance needed
- Practical and reliable small EV suitable for daily commuting and second-car use, with many owners reporting 70,000+ miles without major issues
Watch out for
- Motor and inverter failures reported across multiple model years with expensive repairs costing £3,800+, though individual cases suggest isolated issues rather than systemic defects
- Dealer servicing costs are excessive (£250-350 for routine work), with main dealers charging significantly more than independent EV specialists
- Battery lease complications including strict transfer rules, unclear liability when selling, and continued payment obligations that persist even after vehicle sale if paperwork isn't processed quickly
Owner tips
- Purchase used ZE50 models from 2020 onwards with owned batteries (not leased) and verify CCS charging capability by checking for '++' moulding on the charging port cover
- Use independent EV specialists (HEVRA Level 3/4 certified) instead of Renault main dealers for post-warranty repairs, typically costing 40-50% less than dealer quotes
Buying options
Get a quote
Renault 5
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Renault 5
- £21,6622026Car360View
- £19,8992025Car360View
- £24,9992026Cars2View
Renault Zoe
- £11,3992022Browns of RichmondView
- £11,7952022Drive GreenView
- £11,3952022Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
What are the Renault 5 and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 160 miles for the Renault 5 and 199 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 40 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault 5 or the Renault Zoe?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 78 mm narrower than the Renault 5. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 592 mm of total clearance for the Renault 5.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Renault 5 or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Renault 5 and 86% for the Renault Zoe. That gives the Renault Zoe 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.
More Renault 5 comparisons
More Renault Zoe comparisons
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 Renault 5 and Renault Zoe rank among the best family EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Renault Zoe rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Renault 5 and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the Renault 5 and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Renault 5 and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest boots
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 Renault 5 E-Tech (2025 on): 40 vs 52 kWh, the Grant & What to Pay
A used Renault 5 E-Tech buyer’s guide: the 40 kWh and 52 kWh batteries, the trims, why the £3,750 grant makes a new one barely dearer than a used one, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Renault Zoe ZE 50 (2020-2023): Safety, Warranty, Range & What to Check
A used Renault Zoe ZE 50 buyer’s guide: the zero-star Euro NCAP rating explained, R110 vs R135, Rapid and Boost Charge, the 5-year warranty many cars still have, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .