Loading comparison
MG ZS EV (2019-2021) vs Renault Zoe (ZE40)
Selected trimExclusive 44.5kWh · 2019-21Change trim163 mi · 44.5 kWh · Not available
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
At a glance
The MG ZS EV was replaced by the MG S5 EV in 2025. Compare the MG S5 EV with the Renault Zoe
In this comparison, MG ZS EV stays competitive across the board, while the Renault Zoe leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault Zoe (ZE40) if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you need the best car for city driving and tight parking
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault Zoe wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
Motorway RangeRenault
MG
2.4
Renault
3.1
FamilyRenault
MG
6.1
Renault
6.9
ChargingRenault
MG
0.5
Renault
4.1
Cost Per MileRenault
MG
3
Renault
6.3
City DrivingRenault
MG
6.1
Renault
8.4
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 | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range | 163 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 448 L (better) | 338 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 40 min | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
MG ZS EV
Renault Zoe
Length
MG ZS EV4,314mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm-230mm
Width
MG ZS EV1,809mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-79mm
Height
MG ZS EV1,620mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm-58mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,314 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,809 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,068 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,620 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 11.2 m | 10.6 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 591 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 448 L (better) | 338 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1166 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
Full specifications
| Specification |  MG ZS EV Exclusive 44.5kWh |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.31m | 4.08m-230mm |
| Width | 1.81m | 1.73m-79mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.07m | Not available |
| Height | 1.62m | 1.56m-58mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.58m | 2.59m+3mm |
| Ground Clearance | 161mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 448L (better) | 338L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1166L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 11.2m | 10.56m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,532kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 44.5kWh (better) | 41kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 163 mi | 174 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | Not available | 43kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2019–2021 | 2017–2019 |
* MG ZS EV: MG does not publish a peak rapid-charge rate for this version; its handbook gives 40-60 minutes to 80% on an average rapid charger.
* MG ZS EV: Not approved for towing: MG says the 2022 refreshed ZS EV was its first electric car able to tow.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 163 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 136 miles | 145 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 40 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | Not available | 43 kW |
| Home AC charging | 7 kW | 43 kW (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 44.5 kWh (better) | 40 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 105 kW (better) | 65 kW |
| Torque | 353 Nm (better) | 220 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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 | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £8,800 | £5,895 |
| Average used price | £9,770 | £7,400 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 1.1% 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 - MG ZS EV Exclusive 44.5kWh
Tested 2019
Adult Occupant90%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users64%
Safety Assist70%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90
Tested 2013
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | MG ZS EVExclusive 44.5kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 7 years | 8 years (better) |
| Battery warranty distance | 128,748 km | 160,934 km (better) |
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 infotainment & software. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
MG ZS EV
Exclusive 44.5kWh
Owners love
- Cheap to buy used for a practical electric SUV
- Very low running costs when charged at home on a cheap overnight tariff
- Quiet and smooth driving experience with good acceleration and instant torque.
Watch out for
- Constant warning sounds and notifications (bongs) that owners find intrusive and difficult to fully disable.
- Severely limited motorway range at constant 70 mph, realistically 80-130 miles between charges.
- Winter range significantly reduced to 120-135 miles compared to 160-170 in summer.
Owner tips
- Charge at home on an off-peak tariff to keep running costs low
- Ask whether all battery-management software updates and MG service bulletins have been done; early cars needed several, at a dealer
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
MG ZS EV
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
MG ZS EV
- £9,4952020Drive GreenView
- £8,7952021Drive GreenView
- £8,8952021Drive GreenView
Renault Zoe
No active listings.
Frequently asked questions
What are the MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 136 miles for the MG ZS EV 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 MG ZS EV or the Renault Zoe?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 79 mm narrower than the MG ZS EV. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 591 mm of total clearance for the MG ZS EV. The Renault Zoe also turns in a 0.6 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the MG ZS EV or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the MG ZS EV and 84% for the Renault Zoe. 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. The Renault Zoe has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the MG ZS EV.
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 MG ZS EV 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 MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe rank among the best family EVsWhere the MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the MG ZS EV and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the MG ZS EV 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 MG ZS EV (2019-2025): Which Version, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used MG ZS EV buyer’s guide: the original 44.5 kWh car vs the 2022 update with 51 or 72.6 kWh, real-world range, MG’s 7-year warranty, what owners report, 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 .