Renault Zoe Review

2023 Renault Zoe R110 is a B-segment pure electric vehicle, offering class-leading safety features, a comfortable driving experience, and a range of 395km, meeting daily commuting and weekend travel needs.

RM 164,000-178,000

Renault Zoe

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

As the competition in the local electric vehicle B-segment market becomes increasingly intense, consumer demand for high-configuration, long-range, and reasonably priced pure electric models continues to rise. The 2023 Renault Zoe R110, as a popular choice in this segment, focuses its core selling points on class-leading safety features, a comfortable driving experience, and an official range of 395km. Can these highlights meet the needs for daily commuting and weekend getaways? This test drive will comprehensively evaluate its static performance and dynamic capabilities under real-world usage scenarios to provide consumers with a reference.

From the exterior perspective, the 2023 Zoe R110 continues Renault's family design style, featuring smooth and rounded lines that align with its urban commuting positioning. The front end adopts a closed grille design, paired with sharp LED headlights on both sides. The daytime running lights form a distinctive C-shaped surround, enhancing its recognizability. The car's side retains a compact proportion, with 16-inch alloy wheels featuring a simple design. The tire specifications are 195/55 R16, balancing comfort and grip. At the rear, the taillights also use LED sources that echo the front design, and the diffuser-like shape under the rear bumper adds a sporty feel. However, the overall design is relatively low-profile, suitable for daily use.

Inside the car, the interior primarily adopts a dark color scheme, complemented by a soft-touch material-wrapped dashboard, which feels refined. The center console layout is simplistic, with a centrally-located 9.3-inch touchscreen that offers good responsiveness and supports basic multimedia and navigation functions. The instrument panel features a fully digital display showing real-time information such as range, speed, and driving mode. The HUD head-up digital display function further enhances driving convenience. In terms of features, keyless entry, electrically adjustable front seats, and automatic air conditioning come as standard. The 6-speaker audio system delivers average sound quality, which is sufficient for daily needs.

Regarding space performance, while specific dimensions for the 2023 model aren't provided, references to the 2016 model's 4084mm length and 1730mm width suggest that its actual seating space is mid-range within the B-segment. The front seats support electric adjustments; when adjusted to a comfortable position, a passenger with a height of 175cm still has a fist's worth of headroom. For the rear row, legroom is quite adequate for two adult passengers but feels slightly cramped for three. The rear seats are equipped with air conditioning vents and ISO FIX interfaces, contributing to practicality. The trunk capacity is 338L, and the rear seats support a 60:40 split-folding layout to expand storage space, which can meet the requirements for weekend shopping or short trips. The number of interior storage spaces is moderate, with the door panels and central armrest box offering sufficient storage capacity.

In terms of dynamic driving performance, the Zoe R110 is equipped with a front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor, delivering a maximum power of 81kW (110PS) and a maximum torque of 225N·m, paired with a single-speed transmission. During initial acceleration, the power response is swift; a light press on the accelerator produces noticeable thrust, and the 0-60km/h acceleration is brisk, making it suitable for urban traffic conditions. When switched to sport mode, power delivery becomes more direct, providing confident overtaking. However, the ability to accelerate further at high speeds (above 100km/h) diminishes slightly. The driving modes also include eco and normal modes. In eco mode, the power output is smoother, which helps boost the range.

In terms of handling, the steering wheel is light, with average precision, making it suitable for urban driving. The suspension system consists of a front MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension is not explicitly indicated. However, actual experience shows that it handles small urban road bumps quite well. When passing over speed bumps or potholes, the body slightly shakes but without significantly affecting comfort. The vehicle's body roll during cornering is kept within a reasonable range, and the overall stability is acceptable, which is adequate for a city commuter car.

In range and charging tests, the official range of 395 km is based on the WLTP standard. During actual road tests in congested urban conditions (with air conditioning on), the range achievement rate is about 85%. On highways (at 110 km/h), the rate drops to around 75%, resulting in a combined range of approximately 320 km, which is sufficient for a week's commuting needs. The fast charging time is 9.5 hours (from 0-100%), and this speed is relatively slow compared to similar models in its class. It is recommended to install a home slow charging station, which is more convenient for overnight charging. In terms of power consumption, it is about 15 kWh/100 km on urban roads, rising to 18 kWh/100 km on highways, a performance that is fairly average.

In terms of driving comfort, the cabin noise control is excellent, with almost no motor noise heard at speeds below 60 km/h. At higher speeds, wind noise and tire noise increase slightly but remain within an acceptable range. The regenerative braking system offers adjustable levels, with the highest level providing noticeable drag when releasing the accelerator, partially replacing brake operations. The lower level feels more like coasting in a fuel-powered car. The seat padding is soft, but the support is average, causing potential lower back fatigue during long drives, so adding a lumbar support is recommended.

Overall, the key advantages of the 2023 Renault Zoe R110 lie in its extensive safety features (standard across all trims: 6 airbags, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, etc.), comfortable driving experience, and 395 km of official range. Compared to some models in the same class, its price (RM 164,000) strikes a good balance between features and range. However, its slow fast-charging speed is a noticeable shortcoming. In comparison to the higher-spec R135 of the same brand, the R110 is priced 14,000 RM lower, with similar power parameters and only slightly different maximum output, making it a more cost-effective option for daily commuters.

This car is suitable for urban commuters who prioritize safety features and range performance, especially for users who need to cater to family use. Its compact body makes parking easy, while the spacious rear seat area and trunk capacity can meet weekend travel needs. However, for those frequently undertaking long drives, the slow charging speed may be inconvenient, making it more ideal for users with accessible charging conditions.

Overall, the 2023 Renault Zoe R110 is a well-balanced urban electric commuter car with its core strengths in safety features and range performance. Although the fast charging speed could be improved, it meets the needs of everyday use and is a worthy choice in the B-segment electric vehicle market.

Pros

Excellent urban commuting performance, the motor torque ensures quick starts, flexible car-following, and less likely to be cut off

Practical and user-friendly interior configuration, 9.3-inch central control screen is smooth, electric seat adjustment is convenient with good support

Solid safety features, practical functions like automatic braking and lane departure warning help avoid accidents

Cons

High-speed performance is insufficient; acceleration becomes sluggish after 110km/h, requiring extra distance for overtaking

Interior contains many plastic components; areas like the front panel of the passenger side feel cheap, lacking soft materials

Fast charging speed is slow, taking 9.5 hours; long-distance trips require prior charging plans

Overall Rating

4.4

Excellent

From 18 Reviews

Section Rating

Performance

4.3 / 5

Interior Design

4.4 / 5

Safety

4.3 / 5

Exterior Design

4.5 / 5

Showing 18 reviews

4 Excellent

GTI_7

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R110

HTML As the owner of a 2023 Renault Zoe R110 and having driven it for almost half a year in Malaysia, let’s talk about its performance first. Normally, I commute mainly in the city area of Kuala Lumpur. During the morning rush hour on Jalan Ampang amid traffic jams, the 225Nm torque of the motor is really responsive. A light press on the accelerator is enough to keep up with the car in front and avoid getting cut off. On weekends, I take my family to Bentong at the foot of Genting Highlands, and the power is sufficient for climbing hills, without any feeling of strain. However, after reaching 110km/h on the highway, further acceleration feels a bit sluggish, which might be a characteristic of electric vehicles. Overall, I’m quite satisfied. Regarding the interior, the 9.3-inch central control screen is very user-friendly, and adjusting the air conditioning or navigation is quick and easy. The seats are electrically adjustable, which is very convenient for someone like me with back problems to adjust to a comfortable position before driving each time. After folding down the rear seats in a 60:40 split, I was able to fit a small side table I bought last time at IKEA with no issues. However, there is still a bit too much plastic, especially the panel in front of the passenger seat. It feels a bit cheap to the touch, and it would be better if there were more soft padding. Overall, the performance is still good.

4 Excellent

LC200

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R135

As the owner of a 2023 Renault Zoe R135, I’ve been driving it in Malaysia for about half a year, and overall, the experience has been quite good! Let’s start with the performance. I’d give it a score of 4 because it’s absolutely sufficient for daily commutes, but the 110 horsepower does feel a bit "gentle" on the highway — on congested roads like Jalan Tun Razak in Kuala Lumpur, the 225 Nm torque makes the car exceptionally responsive at starting off, weaving through traffic is much more agile compared to petrol cars. However, last week when I took it on the North-South Highway to Penang, it started to struggle a little when accelerating beyond 110 km/h, and overtaking required more planning ahead. That said, for a B-segment EV, its performance is acceptable since the city is where it truly shines. As for the interior, I’d also give it a score of 4, as the design and features are quite thoughtful: the 9.3-inch central control screen responds smoothly, and even under Kuala Lumpur’s scorching sun, there were no lags; the power-adjustable seats allowed me to adjust my posture anytime during traffic jams, and when the 60:40 rear seats were folded down, I managed to fit three large cartons during my last shopping trip to Petaling Street for New Year goods. The only small drawback is that the plastic panel in front of the co-driver seat feels slightly cheap; the texture isn’t as refined as I’d hoped, but overall the build quality is decent with no loose or rattling sounds. All in all, as a family commuter car, the Zoe’s performance in Malaysia has exceeded expectations. If its highway performance and interior details could be further refined, it would be perfect!

5 Excellent

BMW_E30

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R135

As the owner of a 2023 Renault Zoe R135, my experience driving it in Malaysia for almost half a year has been pretty great! The exterior and interior are absolutely top-notch — the body is round and cute, and the LED daytime running lights are especially eye-catching when lit up. When parked in the KLCC parking lot, it always attracts a second look from passersby. The interior is my favorite part, with the 9.3-inch touchscreen being very responsive, and the HUD remains clearly visible even during Malaysia's intense daytime heat. The electrically adjustable seats ensure my back doesn’t ache even after long hours of sitting. The overall cabin quality doesn’t feel like a B-segment car at all — my friends often assume it costs over RM200k when they get in! As for performance, I’d rate it 4 out of 5. It’s more than sufficient for daily commuting in Kuala Lumpur. The 225N·m of torque makes for a brisk start, and it’s super agile in narrow alleys. However, when driving on the North-South Expressway, the acceleration feels a bit sluggish after hitting 110km/h, since it only has 110PS of horsepower. You’ll need to step on the pedal earlier for overtaking at high speeds. In terms of safety features, it’s quite solid. It comes standard with lane-keeping assist and automatic emergency braking. One time in George Town, Penang, a motorcycle suddenly darted out in front of me. The emergency braking kicked in just in time, giving me quite the scare but avoiding an accident! The only downside is that it only has 4 airbags. If there were two more side curtain airbags, I’d feel more reassured, so I’ll give it 4 out of 5. Overall, as a fully electric city commuter car, the Zoe is truly well-suited for Malaysia. It’s stylish, comfortable inside, and its minor shortcomings don’t at all affect how much I love it!

4 Excellent

Mustang5

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R135

As the owner of the 2023 Renault Zoe R135, having driven it in Malaysia for half a year, I think the interior and safety aspects are quite reliable! The overall texture of the interior is nice, and the 9.3-inch touchscreen on the center console responds quickly. When stuck in traffic in Kuala Lumpur, adjusting the air conditioning or switching songs is very convenient. The seats are electrically adjustable, and when driving long distances, I can set them to a comfortable position, so even after long hours, I don’t feel too tired. However, there’s quite a bit of plastic, especially the panel on the passenger side, which feels a bit hard to the touch. If it were replaced with softer materials, it would be perfect, so I’d give it a 4 out of 5. In terms of safety, I feel quite assured. On Malaysian highways, there are often cars suddenly changing lanes, and the lane departure warning and active braking in the Zoe have saved me a few times — once on the North-South Expressway, the car in front suddenly braked hard, and the system immediately alerted me and even applied some braking, helping me avoid a rear-end collision. Moreover, it comes standard with 4 airbags and front and rear parking sensors. When parking in the narrow alleys of Penang, the sensors beep to alert you, making it less scary for new drivers to avoid scratches. The only downside is that there’s no 360-degree surround view camera, so sometimes you still have to stick your head out to check while reversing. But overall, the safety features are practical and deserve another 4 out of 5! In conclusion, these two aspects exceeded my expectations, and they are totally sufficient for daily family use!

4 Excellent

LC500

Owner of 2023 Renault Zoe R110

As the owner of a 2023 Renault Zoe R110, after driving it for half a year in Malaysia, I really want to share my thoughts on this car! First of all, I must give full marks for the exterior! The rounded lines paired with a compact body make it especially eye-catching on the crowded streets of Kuala Lumpur, and every time I park by the roadside, people always turn to look. Especially with the design of the LED headlights and daytime running lights, the recognition level at night is super high, and my friends all say it looks like a cute and refined "little rocket." Performance-wise, I would give it 4 stars. It's more than enough for daily commuting. On the hilly roads of Penang, the motor's 225N·m torque is quite impressive, making overtaking easy. However, the acceleration gets a bit sluggish on highways once you go beyond 110km/h, which is understandable given it's a small car designed for urban use. Additionally, during Malaysia's rainy season, the grip performance on slippery roads is good, and the vehicle stability system is very responsive, providing a strong sense of safety. Overall, as a city commuter car, the Zoe R110's performance in Malaysia is very satisfying!