Renault Zoe boot space, practicality and safety

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• Lots of passenger space in the Zoe
• High seating position means a step up
• Boot space measures 338/1,225 litres

How much space is there?

Compact external dimensions belie the amount of room inside – the Zoe is about the same size as the Renault Clio but feels roomier inside. There’s seating for five in the Zoe but the battery location (under the seats) means there’s a slight step up to get into the car in the first place. For use with child seats, the height is welcome, and the doors open wide too.

The unusually high rear floor means passengers, and those with long legs especially, will feel like their knees are higher than normal, but on the whole rear leg room is acceptable. Head room is a bit restricted for taller guests, but there are now two USB charging sockets for phones and other devices.

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Boot space and storage

In the boot there’s a jolly decent 338 litres of space, expanding to 1,225 litres when you fold the seats down – not class-leading but on par with hatchback rivals. An optional false floor lets you hide the charging cables out of the way and get an almost-flat load space with the seat backs folded.

Is it easy to park?

The Zoe is smaller than a Clio, which makes it almost perfectly-sized for you if you live in a city. Visibility is excellent, the mirrors are well-sized for parking, and most models are available with a camera or reversing sensors. Most UK-sized garages should swallow it without any issues, and that will make it a cinch for city dwellers to live with.

How big is it?

View full specs

Safety

• Renault Zoe rated zero stars by Euro NCAP in 2021
  
• Three Isofix mounts, one front and two back
• Simulated engine noise to warn pedestrians

Safety is a concern for the Zoe following an updated test in 2021, in which it scored an unprecedented zero stars. Considering it was a five-star Euro NCAP car when originally tested in 2013, this shows you how much standards have risen over the years. Does that mean it’s now an unsafe car? No. But it is definitely comparatively less safe than its younger rivals.

The Zoe is not lacking in electronic safety systems you see on most new cars these days such as electronic stability control and traction control, though. There’s also a speed limiter and cruise control functions. Although active lane-keeping is on offer, adaptive cruise isn’t – limiting coasting regeneration as well as meaning it’s not entirely set-and-forget on the motorway.

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As well as standard LED headlights to brighten even the darkest of roads, the Zoe can be equipped with handy safety tech, such as:

• Emergency braking system
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keeping assist
• Traffic sign recognition
• Blind spot monitoring
• Auto high/low beam headlamps
• Park assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Auto hill-hold

To help warns pedestrians of its approach, the Zoe emits a sound when traveling at speeds of up to 18mph. This has been developed with help from visually-impaired people who may not realise there is a car in their vicinity unless they can hear it; the frequencies are tuned to alert guide dogs too.

You can select from three ‘songs’, or disable the system if you need the car to be quiet.

There are Isofix child seat lashing points on the outer rear seats and also on the front passenger seat.

Renault Zoe EuroNCAP 2021 crash test video