Loading comparison
Nissan LEAF (2011-2017) vs Renault Zoe
At a glance
In this comparison, Nissan LEAF leads on value for money and family practicality, while the Renault Zoe leads on motorway range, charging speed and running costs.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Nissan LEAF (2011-2017) if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the Renault Zoe if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p 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 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueNissan
Nissan
5.6
Renault
0
Motorway RangeRenault
Nissan
2.6
Renault
3.5
FamilyNissan
Nissan
6.7
Renault
2.8
ChargingRenault
Nissan
2.4
Renault
3.6
Cost Per MileRenault
Nissan
5.8
Renault
8.3
City DrivingRenault
Nissan
7.7
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 | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £25,990 | Not available |
| Official range | 118 miles | 239 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 370 L (better) | 338 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 30 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 11.5 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Nissan LEAF
Renault Zoe
Length
Nissan LEAF4,445mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm-361mm
Width
Nissan LEAF1,770mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-40mm
Height
Nissan LEAF1,550mm-12mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,445 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,770 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,030 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,550 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. | 630 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 370 L (better) | 338 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 720 L | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Nissan LEAF
- At 4,445 mm, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 2,700 mm wheelbase, longer than 80% of hatchback EVs we track.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh |  Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.45m | 4.08m-361mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.73m-40mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | Not available |
| Height | 1.55m | 1.56m+12mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.59m-112mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 370L (better) | 338L |
| Boot (seats down) | 720L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 10.56m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,520kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 24kWh | 52kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 118 mi | 239 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 22kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £25,990 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2011–2015 | 2020–2022 |
* Nissan LEAF: NEDC figure — WLTP testing was not available for this model year
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 118 miles | 239 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 76 miles | 199 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 30 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 22 kW |
| Home AC charging | 3.3 kW | 22 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 150 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 22 kWh | 49.8 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | LMO_NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Standard (better) |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 11.5 sec | Not available |
| Power | 80 kW | 80 kW |
| Torque | 254 Nm (better) | 245 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Nissan LEAF
Visia 24kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
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
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 - Nissan LEAF Visia 24kWh
Tested 2011
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant83%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist84%
Euro NCAP - Renault Zoe ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Tested 2021
Adult Occupant43%
Child Occupant52%
Vulnerable Road Users41%
Safety Assist14%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFVisia 24kWh | Renault ZoeZE 50 R110 Iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,000 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.
Nissan LEAF
Visia 24kWh
Owners love
- Excellent value for money as a used purchase, with strong reliability over time and minimal maintenance needs beyond tires and wipers
- Very cheap to run with low electricity costs (1-2.5p per mile on off-peak tariffs) and zero vehicle excise duty, recovering purchase price through fuel savings in 3-4 years
- Smooth, quiet, and refined driving experience with instant torque providing surprisingly responsive acceleration from standstill
Watch out for
- Battery degradation is a significant concern on early models, with some owners losing multiple capacity bars within months or years; air-cooled batteries lack thermal management
- Limited real-world range of 50-120 miles makes the Leaf unsuitable as a sole vehicle for longer journeys, requiring careful trip planning and multiple charging stops
- Winter range significantly reduced by 20-30% due to heating demands and cold battery chemistry, sometimes dropping below 70 miles
Owner tips
- Always check actual battery state of health (SOH) using LeafSpy OBD2 diagnostic tool before purchase rather than relying on dashboard bar display or dealer assessments, which can be misleading
- Target 2013+ generation models with mechanical foot brakes, heat pumps, and 6.6kW chargers; prioritize 30kWh batteries over 24kWh for better warranty (8 years vs 5 years) and realistic range
Renault Zoe
ZE 50 R110 Iconic
Owners love
- Owners report good real-world range of 200-240 miles on newer ZE50 models, with CCS rapid charging enabling manageable longer journeys
- Very low running costs compared to petrol vehicles, with electricity expenses roughly one-third the fuel cost and minimal maintenance needed
- Practical and reliable small EV suitable for daily commuting and second-car use, with many owners reporting 70,000+ miles without major issues
Watch out for
- Motor and inverter failures reported across multiple model years with expensive repairs costing £3,800+, though individual cases suggest isolated issues rather than systemic defects
- Dealer servicing costs are excessive (£250-350 for routine work), with main dealers charging significantly more than independent EV specialists
- Battery lease complications including strict transfer rules, unclear liability when selling, and continued payment obligations that persist even after vehicle sale if paperwork isn't processed quickly
Owner tips
- Purchase used ZE50 models from 2020 onwards with owned batteries (not leased) and verify CCS charging capability by checking for '++' moulding on the charging port cover
- Use independent EV specialists (HEVRA Level 3/4 certified) instead of Renault main dealers for post-warranty repairs, typically costing 40-50% less than dealer quotes
Buying options
Get a quote
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Nissan LEAF
No active listings.
Renault Zoe
- £11,3992022Browns of RichmondView
- £11,7952022Drive GreenView
- £11,3952022Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
What are the Nissan LEAF and Renault Zoe like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 76 miles for the Nissan LEAF and 199 miles for the Renault Zoe - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Zoe goes roughly 124 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Nissan LEAF or the Renault Zoe?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 40 mm narrower than the Nissan LEAF. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 630 mm of total clearance for the Nissan LEAF.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Nissan LEAF or the Renault Zoe?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 65% battery health for the Nissan LEAF and 86% for the Renault Zoe. That gives the Renault Zoe 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 Nissan LEAF 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 Nissan LEAF and Renault Zoe rank among the best family EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Renault Zoe rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Renault Zoe rank among the best city EVsWhere the Nissan LEAF and Renault Zoe rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Nissan LEAF and Renault Zoe rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Nissan LEAF 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.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .