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Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023) vs Renault Zoe (ZE40)
Selected trim39kWh · 2018-20Change trim190 mi · 39.2 kWh · £29,495
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
At a glance
In this comparison, Hyundai KONA Electric leads on value for money and running costs, while the Renault Zoe leads on family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
Choose the Renault Zoe (ZE40) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Hyundai KONA Electric edges ahead overall, but it's close - check which categories matter most to you.
ValueHyundai
Hyundai
5.6
Renault
0
Motorway Range
Hyundai
3.2
Renault
3.1
Too close to call
FamilyRenault
Hyundai
5.3
Renault
6.9
ChargingRenault
Hyundai
0.2
Renault
4.1
Cost Per MileHyundai
Hyundai
9
Renault
6.3
City Driving
Hyundai
8.1
Renault
8.4
Too close to call
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 | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £29,495 | Not available |
| Official range | 190 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Boot space | 332 L | 338 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 48 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 9.9 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Hyundai KONA Electric
Renault Zoe
Length
Hyundai KONA Electric4,205mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm-121mm
Width
Hyundai KONA Electric1,800mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-70mm
Height
Hyundai KONA Electric1,570mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm-8mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,205 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,800 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,070 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 600 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 332 L | 338 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1114 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Hyundai KONA Electric
- At 4,205 mm, shorter than 90% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Hyundai KONA Electric 39kWh |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.21m | 4.08m-121mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.73m-70mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | Not available |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.56m-8mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.60m | 2.59m-12mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 332L | 338L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1114L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.56m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,535kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 39.2kWh | 41kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 190 mi (better) | 174 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 44kW (better) | 43kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £29,495 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2020 | 2017–2019 |
* Hyundai KONA Electric: Heat pump: an option on every trim, not standard.
* Hyundai KONA Electric: Manufacturer lists no towing capacity for the 39 kWh car.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 190 miles (better) | 174 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 158 miles (better) | 145 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 48 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 44 kW (better) | 43 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7.2 kW | 43 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 36 kWh | 40 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 9.9 sec | Not available |
| Power | 100 kW (better) | 65 kW |
| Torque | 395 Nm (better) | 220 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Hyundai KONA Electric
All 3 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 | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Recent used-price trend | Up 12.8% over ~6 months | Up 7.3% 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 - Hyundai KONA Electric 39kWh
Tested 2017
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users62%
Safety Assist60%
Euro NCAP - Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90
Tested 2013
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Hyundai KONA Electric39kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Hyundai KONA Electric
39kWh
Owners love
- Outstanding efficiency, with owners commonly seeing 4-5 miles per kWh
- Long real-world range from the 64 kWh battery: around 250 miles in winter and 300 or more in summer
- Quick, smooth and easy to drive, with good adaptive cruise and lane assistance
Watch out for
- Early cars were caught up in battery recalls, and some owners describe slow communication from Hyundai and dealers
- Small boot and tight rear space for a family
- Some used cars have been advertised with the wrong battery size
Owner tips
- Confirm the battery size (39 or 64 kWh) with Hyundai from the VIN rather than trusting the advert
- Check every battery recall has been done, and whether the battery has been replaced
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
Buying options
Get a quote
Hyundai KONA Electric
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
What are the Hyundai KONA Electric and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 158 miles for the Hyundai KONA Electric and 145 miles for the Renault Zoe - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Hyundai KONA Electric or the Renault Zoe?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 70 mm narrower than the Hyundai KONA Electric. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 600 mm of total clearance for the Hyundai KONA Electric.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Hyundai KONA Electric or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 86% battery health for the Hyundai KONA Electric and 84% for the Renault Zoe. That gives the Hyundai KONA Electric 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.
More Hyundai KONA Electric comparisons
More Renault Zoe comparisons
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 Hyundai KONA Electric and Renault Zoe rank among the best family EVsWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Hyundai KONA Electric and Renault Zoe 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.
Guide
Buying a Used Hyundai KONA Electric (2018-2023): 39 or 64 kWh, Battery Recalls, Range & What to Check
A used Hyundai KONA Electric buyer’s guide: 39 vs 64 kWh, the 2021 facelift, the battery recalls, warranty, towing, real-world range, the new KONA, what to pay and a printable checklist.
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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .