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Renault Zoe vs VW e-Up!
Selected trim32kWh · 2020-23Change trim162 mi · 36.8 kWh · £23,195
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault Zoe leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs, while the VW e-Up! leads on value for money, family practicality and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault Zoe if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the VW e-Up! if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW e-Up! leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
Renault
0
VW
5.2
Motorway RangeRenault
Renault
3.5
VW
2.7
FamilyVW
Renault
2.8
VW
4.2
ChargingRenault
Renault
3.6
VW
1.7
Cost Per MileRenault
Renault
8.3
VW
6.6
City DrivingVW
Renault
8.4
VW
9.5
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 ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £23,195 |
| Official range | 239 miles (better) | 162 miles |
| Boot space | 338 L (better) | 250 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 49 min |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 11.9 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
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Renault Zoe
VW e-Up!
Length
Renault Zoe4,084mm
VW e-Up!3,600mm-484mm
Width
Renault Zoe1,730mm
VW e-Up!1,645mm-85mm
Height
Renault Zoe1,562mm
VW e-Up!1,492mm-70mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,084 mm | 3,600 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,730 mm | 1,645 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,910 mm |
| Height | 1,562 mm | 1,492 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 9.8 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 670 mm spare | 755 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 (better) | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 338 L (better) | 250 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 923 L |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
VW e-Up!
- At 3,600 mm, shorter than 90% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 1,645 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic |  VW e-Up! 32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.08m | 3.60m-484mm |
| Width | 1.73m | 1.65m-85mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 1.91m |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.49m-70mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.59m | 2.42m-168mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 138mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 338L (better) | 250L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 923L |
| Seats | 5 (better) | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.56m | 9.8m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,274kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 52kWh (better) | 36.8kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 239 mi (better) | 162 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 22kW | 40kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £23,195 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2020–2022 | 2020–2023 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 239 miles (better) | 162 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 199 miles (better) | 116 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 49 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 22 kW | 40 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 22 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 144 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 49.8 kWh (better) | 32.3 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Standard (better) | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 11.9 sec |
| Power | 80 kW (better) | 61 kW |
| Torque | 245 Nm (better) | 212 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
VW e-Up!
32kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Renault Zoe
All 4 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 ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £7,650 | £8,995 |
| Average used price | £9,000 | £10,348 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 142 listings (better) | 2 listings |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 18.8% over ~6 months | Down 1.4% 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 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)
Euro NCAP - VW e-Up! 32kWh
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant81%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users46%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic | VW e-Up!32kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 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 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
VW e-Up!
32kWh
Owners love
- Fun, responsive driving experience with excellent handling and smooth, quiet operation suited to city driving
- Compact size makes parking and maneuvering effortless, while feeling surprisingly solid and well-built
- Customizable regenerative braking with multiple selectable levels allows drivers to tailor efficiency to their preference
Watch out for
- Severely overpriced relative to petrol equivalents, with pricing that has hindered market adoption and resale values
- Limited real-world range (60-100 miles depending on model year) requires careful journey planning for longer trips
- UK home charging limited to 3.6kW on standard single-phase supply despite marketing claims of 7.2kW capability
Owner tips
- Verify actual UK charging specifications (3.6kW single-phase vs. 7.2kW three-phase) and test charging rates before purchase to avoid disappointment
- Negotiate aggressively with dealers—significant discounts from list price are routinely available on stock vehicles
Buying options
Get a quote
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Up!
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Renault Zoe
- £11,3992022Browns of RichmondView
- £11,7952022Drive GreenView
- £11,3952022Drive GreenView
VW e-Up!
- £10,4952021Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
What are the Renault Zoe and VW e-Up! like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 199 miles for the Renault Zoe and 116 miles for the VW e-Up! - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Zoe goes roughly 83 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault Zoe or the VW e-Up!?
The VW e-Up! is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 85 mm narrower than the Renault Zoe. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 755 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Up! and about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe. The VW e-Up! also turns in a 0.8 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Renault Zoe or the VW e-Up!?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 86% battery health for the Renault Zoe and 84% for the VW e-Up!. 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.
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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 Renault Zoe and VW e-Up! rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Up! rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Up! rank among the best city EVsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Up! rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Up! rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Up! 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 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.
GuideUsed VW e-up!, SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo e iV buyer's guide
Buying a used VW e-up! or its twins, the SEAT Mii Electric and Skoda Citigo e iV: the 18.7 and 32.3 kWh versions, the 7 kW charging setting, range, owner reports and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .