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Nissan LEAF (2018-2023) vs Renault Zoe (ZE40)
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
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 (2018-2023) 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 (ZE40) 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 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 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueNissan
Nissan
6
Renault
0
Motorway RangeRenault
Nissan
1.7
Renault
3.1
FamilyNissan
Nissan
7.7
Renault
6.9
ChargingRenault
Nissan
1.3
Renault
4.1
Cost Per MileRenault
Nissan
2.7
Renault
6.3
City DrivingRenault
Nissan
6.6
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 LEAFAcenta 40kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £26,490 | Not available |
| Official range | 168 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 435 L (better) | 338 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 40 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 7.9 sec | Not available |
Size Comparison
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Nissan LEAF
Renault Zoe
Length
Nissan LEAF4,480mm
Renault Zoe4,084mm-396mm
Width
Nissan LEAF1,788mm
Renault Zoe1,730mm-58mm
Height
Nissan LEAF1,540mm-22mm
Renault Zoe1,562mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,480 mm | 4,084 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,788 mm | 1,730 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,030 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,540 mm | 1,562 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 10.6 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 612 mm spare | 670 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 435 L (better) | 338 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1176 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 0 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Nissan LEAF
- At 4,480 mm, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Boot space of 435 L is bigger than 85% 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 Acenta 40kWh |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.48m | 4.08m-396mm |
| Width | 1.79m | 1.73m-58mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.03m | Not available |
| Height | 1.54m | 1.56m+22mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.70m | 2.59m-112mm |
| Ground Clearance | 155mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 435L (better) | 338L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1176L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.6m | 10.56m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,580kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 40kWh | 41kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 168 mi | 174 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW (better) | 43kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £26,490 | Not available |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2023 | 2017–2019 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 168 miles | 174 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 109 miles | 145 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 40 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW (better) | 43 kW |
| Home AC charging | 6.6 kW | 43 kW (better) |
| Energy consumption | 171 Wh/km | Not available |
| 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 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.9 sec | Not available |
| Power | 110 kW (better) | 65 kW |
| Torque | 320 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 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £7,500 | £5,895 |
| Average used price | £10,290 | £7,400 |
| Recent used-price trend | Down 16.4% 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 - Nissan LEAF Acenta 40kWh
Tested 2018
Adult Occupant93%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist71%
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 | Nissan LEAFAcenta 40kWh | 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 infotainment & software. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Nissan LEAF
Acenta 40kWh
Owners love
- Impressive acceleration and responsive performance with instant torque, competitive with petrol cars at traffic lights
- Excellent e-Pedal one-pedal driving system improves efficiency and provides engaging, intuitive control
- Low running costs with cheap electricity (2-3p per mile) and minimal servicing compared to traditional vehicles
Watch out for
- Severe thermal throttling on rapid charging ('rapidgate') limits subsequent charges to 15-20kW after initial charge, making long trips impractical
- Limited range in winter conditions (30% reduction or more) and poor motorway efficiency reduce usability for longer journeys
- Outdated infotainment system and aged interior design with cheap plastics feel downmarket compared to newer competitors
Owner tips
- Install a 7kW home charger for daily use rather than relying on rapid charging—this avoids thermal throttling and preserves battery health
- Use smart electricity tariffs like Octopus Go for cheap overnight charging (5p/kWh or less) to minimize running costs
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
Nissan LEAF
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Nissan LEAF
- £9,8972022Car360View
- £7,7992019Cars2View
- £8,7502022Cars2View
Renault Zoe
No active listings.
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 109 miles for the Nissan LEAF and 145 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 36 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 58 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 612 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 76% battery health for the Nissan LEAF and 84% 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
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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
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Further reading
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Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .