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Renault Zoe (ZE40) vs Smart EQ fortwo
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
Selected trimStandard · 2017-2484 mi · 17.6 kWh · £23,850
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault Zoe leads on family practicality, while the Smart EQ fortwo leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault Zoe (ZE40) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the Smart EQ fortwo 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 fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart EQ fortwo wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueSmart
Renault
0
Smart
5.2
Motorway RangeSmart
Renault
3.1
Smart
3.9
FamilyRenault
Renault
6.9
Smart
3.9
ChargingSmart
Renault
4.1
Smart
9.5
Cost Per MileSmart
Renault
6.3
Smart
8.7
City DrivingSmart
Renault
8.4
Smart
9.8
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
- 90 miles more WLTP range
- 78 litres more boot space
- 43 kW faster rapid charging
- 3 more seats
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £23,850 |
| Official range | 174 miles (better) | 84 miles |
| Boot space | 338 L (better) | 260 L |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 11.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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Renault Zoe
Smart EQ fortwo
Length
Renault Zoe4,084mm
Smart EQ fortwo2,695mm-1389mm
Width
Renault Zoe1,730mm
Smart EQ fortwo1,663mm-67mm
Height
Renault Zoe1,562mm
Smart EQ fortwo1,555mm-7mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,084 mm | 2,695 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,730 mm | 1,663 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,893 mm |
| Height | 1,562 mm | 1,555 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 670 mm spare | 737 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 (better) | 2 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 1 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 338 L (better) | 260 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Smart EQ fortwo
- At 2,695 mm, shorter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 6.95 m turning circle, tighter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,663 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |  Smart EQ fortwo Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.08m | 2.69m-1389mm |
| Width | 1.73m | 1.66m-67mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 1.89m |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.55m-7mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.59m | 1.87m-715mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 100mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 338L (better) | 260L |
| Seats | 5 (better) | 2 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.56m | 6.95m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,085kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 41kWh (better) | 17.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 174 mi (better) | 84 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 43kW (better) | 0kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £23,850 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2017–2019 | 2017–2024 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 174 miles (better) | 84 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 145 miles (better) | 70 miles |
| Max rapid charge rate | 43 kW (better) | 0 kW |
| Home AC charging | 43 kW (better) | 22 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 40 kWh (better) | 16.7 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 11.6 sec |
| Power | 65 kW (better) | 60 kW |
| Torque | 220 Nm (better) | 160 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
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.
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Smart EQ fortwo
Base
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Renault Zoe
All 2 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 40 Q90 | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £5,895 | £11,099 |
| Average used price | £7,400 | £11,598 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 7.3% over ~6 months | Up 15.7% 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 40 Q90
Tested 2013
Euro NCAP - Smart EQ fortwo Base
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant82%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users56%
Safety Assist56%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ fortwoBase |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 100,000 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 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
Smart EQ fortwo
Base
Owners love
- Owners find it fun and nimble in town, and it parks almost anywhere.
- Cars with the 22 kW charger fill from empty in a little over an hour on a fast AC post.
- Standard kit is generous, with heated seats on most cars.
Watch out for
- Real range is about 60 to 80 miles, and 45 to 60 in winter; the range estimate reads high.
- Charging faults are the most common complaint, and some cars spent months at dealers.
- A flat or failing 12V battery can leave the high-voltage battery unusable, and replacement packs are hard to get.
Owner tips
- Check the 12V battery's health before you buy and keep it in good order.
- Test that the car starts and finishes a charge on your own charger before you buy.
Buying options
Get a quote
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart EQ fortwo
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
What are the Renault Zoe and Smart EQ fortwo like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 145 miles for the Renault Zoe and 70 miles for the Smart EQ fortwo - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Zoe goes roughly 75 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault Zoe or the Smart EQ fortwo?
The Smart EQ fortwo is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 67 mm narrower than the Renault Zoe. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 737 mm of total clearance for the Smart EQ fortwo and about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe. The Smart EQ fortwo also turns in a 3.6 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 Smart EQ fortwo?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Renault Zoe and 84% for the Smart EQ fortwo. 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.
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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.
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Further reading
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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.
GuideBuying a Used smart EQ fortwo or forfour (2017-2024): Charging Faults, Real Range & What to Pay
A used smart EQ fortwo and forfour buyer’s guide: coupe, cabrio or four-seater, the 22 kW charger, charging and 12V faults, real-world range, the battery warranty, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .