2023 Renault Zoe R135 Review

The 2023 Renault Zoe R135 is Europe's best-selling pure electric vehicle, featuring a 395km WLTP range, practical space, and intelligent safety configurations, making it a comfortable and reliable commuting choice for urban travel.

RM 178,000

2023 Renault Zoe R135

Segment

B-Segment

Body Type

Hatchback

Motor Torque(Nm)

225

EV Range(km)

395

Battery Capacity(kWh)

Driven Wheels

Front Wheel Drive

View Renault Zoe > View Full Specs >

Review

User Review

Specs

Nowadays, the options in Malaysia's Class B electric vehicle market are increasing, as consumers want enough range for daily commuting, hope for uncompromised configurations, and desire a reasonable price range. As a pure electric model that has been a best-seller in Europe for years, the 2023 Renault Zoe R135 version enters the local market with updated configurations. Its core selling points focus on the 395-kilometer official range, intelligent safety features as standard across all trims, and commendable practicality in terms of space. For this test drive, we mainly evaluated its actual range achievement, daily driving comfort, and whether the configurations truly cater to the needs of local users.

In terms of appearance, the 2023 version of the Zoe continues its round and cute overall style. While lacking aggressive lines, its detailed design is quite distinctive. The front features a closed grille, paired with sharp-looking LED headlights on both sides. The light clusters integrate daytime running lights, providing clear visual effects when lit. The car's side profile boasts smooth lines, with 16-inch alloy wheels featuring a simple design, paired with 195/55 R16 tires, which balance comfort and energy efficiency. The rear design is relatively simple, with LED taillights echoing the front headlights, and a black trim below the rear bumper adds a touch of sportiness. Overall, the exterior design of the Zoe is pleasant and not too flashy, making it suitable for everyday commuting.

Stepping inside, the interior layout focuses on practicality, with the center console tilted towards the driver for easier operation. The 9.3-inch touchscreen in the center serves as a visual focal point, offering decent resolution and responsive performance, supporting Bluetooth connectivity and multimedia playback. The top section of the center console is wrapped in soft materials, offering a fair tactile feel, while the lower section uses hard plastic. Overall craftsmanship aligns with the pricing of this vehicle. In terms of features, the Zoe stands out: the HUD head-up display can show real-time speed and navigation information, allowing the driver to avoid frequently looking down at the instrument panel. The front seats support electric adjustment with moderate wrapping, providing comfort during long drives. The rear seats can be folded down in a 60:40 split to extend trunk space. For storage, the front door panels can hold two bottles of water, the center armrest box and glove compartment are sufficiently spacious for daily use, and the trunk has a standard capacity of 338 liters, enough to accommodate two 20-inch suitcases.

In terms of power, the Zoe is equipped with a permanent magnet synchronous motor with a maximum power of 81kW (110PS) and a peak torque of 225N·m, driven through a front-wheel-drive system. During everyday driving, the initial power response is very quick, providing a noticeable push-back effect with a light press on the accelerator. It is highly agile on urban roads, performing particularly well in low-to-medium speed acceleration. Overtaking at speeds below 60km/h is effortless, but the acceleration sensation gradually diminishes above 80km/h, requiring some advance planning for overtaking on highways. There are three driving modes to choose from: Eco, Normal, and Sport. In Eco mode, the power output is more restrained, making it suitable for daily commuting and effectively extending the range. Sport mode, on the other hand, enhances the power response for those occasional moments when you want to enjoy a spirited drive. The chassis employs a front MacPherson independent suspension, tuned for comfort, filtering out most minor bumps on the road and handling speed bumps with reasonable smoothness. The steering is light and fairly precise, making U-turns or parking in narrow areas very convenient.

Range and charging are core metrics for electric vehicles. Zoe's official range is 395 kilometers (WLTP standard). In our city road tests, with air conditioning and audio turned on and an average speed of 30-40km/h, the actual range reached approximately 320 kilometers, about 81% of the official number, which is more than sufficient for daily commuting. Charging once a week would be perfectly fine. On highways at a steady speed of 110km/h, the range significantly decreases, dropping to about 280 kilometers. For charging, using a household 230V power source takes about 9.5 hours to fully charge. Although the fast-charging speed isn't particularly impressive, considering most users charge overnight, this is within an acceptable range.

In terms of driving and ride comfort, Zoe performs commendably. The soundproofing is excellent; at speeds below 60km/h, there is almost no noticeable noise. When speeding up above 80km/h, wind noise and tire noise gradually increase, but they don’t interfere with normal conversation. The seats offer good support and wrapping. The rear space leaves about a fist’s clearance for passengers 175cm tall, with ample headroom. The air-conditioning system works effectively, with the automatic settings quickly adjusting the cabin temperature. Zoe's regenerative braking system offers two adjustable levels. In the lower setting, the regenerative force is very mild, feeling almost like a conventional fuel car, without causing noticeable drag. The higher setting provides slightly stronger regenerative force but does not compromise comfort and helps to some extent in extending the range.

In summary, the 2023 Renault Zoe R135’s core strength lies in its balanced performance: a sufficient range to meet daily needs and rich configurations (such as HUD, electric seats, intelligent safety systems) that surpass many vehicles in its class. Priced at 178,000 MYR, it is quite competitive. Compared to similar electric cars like the BYD Atto 3, Zoe provides more comprehensive features but slightly smaller space. Compared to Honda e:NS1, Zoe's pricing is more affordable. The target audience is clear: families focusing on practicality and configurations or office workers with relatively long commutes. They don't seek extreme performance but prioritize consistent range and abundant features.

Overall, the 2023 Renault Zoe R135 is a balanced and practical mid-size electric car. While it does not excel particularly in space or highway range, its configurations, comfort, and range stability can satisfy the needs of most users. If you're looking for a reasonably priced, well-equipped electric car suitable for daily commuting, the Zoe is worth considering.

Pros

Comprehensive and sensitive safety configuration, proactive braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist ensure driving safety

Good performance in urban driving, the motor torque provides quick acceleration, suitable for stop-and-go commuting during rush hours

Eye-catching exterior design, rounded lines paired with bright paint and LED light clusters offer high recognizability

Cons

At speeds over 110km/h, lacks acceleration power, and climbing requires deep pressing of the accelerator due to insufficient power

The rear design is understated and lacks individuality, easily mistaken for an ordinary hatchback

Some areas of the interior use hard plastic materials, and occasional noise from the hard plastic in front of the passenger seat affects the sense of quality

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 4 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.3 / 5

Interior Design

4.5 / 5

Safety

4.3 / 5

Exterior Design

4.5 / 5

Showing 4 reviews

5 Excellent

FocusRS

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R135

As the owner of a 2023 Renault Zoe R135, after driving in Malaysia for almost half a year, what I’m most satisfied with is its safety features! After all, there are many motorcycles on Malaysian roads, and sometimes they suddenly dart out, which can be really frightening — last month, while stuck in traffic near KLCC, the car in front braked suddenly, and I couldn’t react in time. The automatic braking system kicked in and stopped the car for me. My palms were sweaty at that moment; fortunately, it had this feature. When driving on the LDP highway, the lane departure warning system is also very sensitive. It alerts as soon as you slightly cross the line. Along with the standard lane-change assist, I feel much more assured when switching lanes. As for safety, I’d give it 5 stars — no complaints at all. My whole family feels at ease when they’re in the car. As for performance, I’d give it 4 stars. It’s totally sufficient for city driving — the motor’s torque is strong, and it accelerates better than many fuel cars, which is especially helpful for keeping up during Kuala Lumpur’s morning rush hour. However, when driving on the highway above 110km/h, acceleration becomes a bit sluggish. Last time I went to Genting, I had to press the accelerator harder while climbing uphill. But as a daily commuter EV, this performance is already quite decent. After all, it's not meant for racing, so overall, I'm fairly satisfied.

5 Excellent

i30N

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R135

As the owner of a 2023 Renault Zoe R135 and having driven it in Malaysia for almost half a year, I find myself loving its design and interior more and more! Let's talk about the exterior first. The design of this small car is particularly eye-catching on local roads — with its rounded body lines and bright yellow paint, every time I park it in the open-air parking lot near KLCC, I can see passersby stealing a glance. Especially the "Renault diamond logo" on the front of the car, which sparkles exquisitely under the tropical sunlight during the day, and at night, with the LED headlights lit up, the slim light strip combined with the front fog lights gives it a highly recognizable look amidst the traffic on Jalan Bukit Bintang. My friends all say it looks like a "cute and spirited little bumblebee"! The interior is even more impressive. Considering it's a B-segment car, I never expected the quality to be this good! I chose the black interior with silver trims. The 9.3-inch touchscreen on the center console reacts very quickly, and when I'm using voice commands to adjust the air conditioning or change songs while driving on the LDP expressway, there's no delay at all. The most thoughtful feature is the electrically adjustable front seats. Traffic jams in Kuala Lumpur can easily last one to two hours, but once I adjust the seat to a comfortable angle, the leather seats provide just the right support, so I don't feel sore or tired. With the rear seats folded down in a 60:40 split, last week I took my family to Genting Highlands and managed to fit three carry-on suitcases plus a ton of snacks without any problems. The space utilization is simply amazing! All in all, there's nothing I can fault about these two aspects, and every time I sit in the car, I feel it's worth every penny!

4 Excellent

JazzGK5

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R135

As the owner of the 2023 Renault Zoe R135, I've been driving it in Malaysia for about half a year. I would rate both the interior and exterior a 4 out of 5, which means "satisfactory but not stunning." Let’s start with the exterior. The rounded design of the Zoe is quite eye-catching in Kuala Lumpur city—especially the LED headlights and daytime running lights. During the morning rush hour, when stuck in traffic, its recognizability stands out compared to those boxy Japanese cars. However, the rear design is a bit too "low-key." Last time, a friend was trying to find my car in a parking lot and said that from the rear, it looked like a regular hatchback and didn’t immediately recognize it as an EV. It would be better if the design were a bit bolder. As for the interior, what I like the most is the 9.3-inch central control screen. Under Malaysia's blazing sun, it doesn't reflect glare, and navigation through complex roads like Jalan Imbi is very clear. The seats are electrically adjustable, and commuting an hour daily to Puchong, I can adjust to a comfortable position, which helps relieve back pain quite a lot. However, there is a bit too much use of plastic. The hard plastic panel in front of the passenger seat sometimes makes noise when placing objects on it. If it were made of soft material, the texture would be much better. Overall, these two aspects are practical enough for daily use. The points deducted are just minor details that are not major issues.

4 Excellent

MeganeRS

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R135

As the owner of a 2023 Renault Zoe R135, after driving in Malaysia for half a year, I can share some thoughts about the exterior and interior. The exterior gets a 4 out of 5. Overall, it has a round and cute style. Among the streets of Kuala Lumpur filled with SUVs and sedans, it doesn’t particularly stand out, but the details like the LED daytime running lights and the 16-inch alloy wheels are quite refined. Parking it downstairs at the apartment, it doesn’t feel too ordinary either—just that it might lack that “stunning” factor that grabs your eye. But I have to give the interior full marks! The 9.3-inch touchscreen and the digital dashboard offer a lot of a techy feel for its price range, and the layout of the center console is super handy—when stuck in traffic on the LDP highway, adjusting the aircon or switching songs doesn’t require looking down. The most surprising feature is the electrically adjustable seats. Summers in Kuala Lumpur are scorching, so before getting in, I can use the phone to remotely turn on the aircon, and the seats are already cool and refreshing when I sit down. The leather texture is also very comfortable. After the rear seats are folded down at a 60:40 ratio, there’s enough space for weekend trips to Klang Valley to buy durians or to carry some camping gear. The practicality and quality of the interior are truly impeccable. Every time friends ride in my car, they always compliment, “It looks way more premium inside than from the outside!”