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Renault Zoe (ZE40) vs Smart EQ forfour
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
Selected trimStandard · 2017-2281 mi · 17.6 kWh · £24,285
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault Zoe leads on family practicality, while the Smart EQ forfour leads on value for money, motorway range and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault Zoe (ZE40) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
Choose the Smart EQ forfour if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- 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 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Smart EQ forfour wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueSmart
Renault
0
Smart
5
Motorway RangeSmart
Renault
3.1
Smart
3.9
FamilyRenault
Renault
6.9
Smart
4.6
ChargingSmart
Renault
4.1
Smart
9.5
Cost Per MileSmart
Renault
6.3
Smart
8.2
City DrivingSmart
Renault
8.4
Smart
9.7
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
- 93 miles more WLTP range
- 153 litres more boot space
- 43 kW faster rapid charging
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £24,285 |
| Official range | 174 miles (better) | 81 miles |
| Boot space | 338 L (better) | 185 L |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 12.7 sec |
Size Comparison
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Renault Zoe
Smart EQ forfour
Length
Renault Zoe4,084mm
Smart EQ forfour3,495mm-589mm
Width
Renault Zoe1,730mm
Smart EQ forfour1,665mm-65mm
Height
Renault Zoe1,562mm
Smart EQ forfour1,554mm-8mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,084 mm | 3,495 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,730 mm | 1,665 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,562 mm | 1,554 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m | 8.7 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 670 mm spare | 735 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 (better) | 4 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 338 L (better) | 185 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Renault Zoe
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Smart EQ forfour
- At 3,495 mm, shorter than 100% of hatchback EVs in our UK catalogue.
- 8.65 m turning circle, tighter than 95% of hatchback EVs in our database.
- 1,665 mm wide, below our 1,750 mm narrow-car threshold.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |  Smart EQ forfour Base |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.08m | 3.50m-589mm |
| Width | 1.73m | 1.67m-65mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 1.88m |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.55m-8mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.59m | 2.49m-94mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 100mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 338L (better) | 185L |
| Seats | 5 (better) | 4 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.56m | 8.65m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,275kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 41kWh (better) | 17.6kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 174 mi (better) | 81 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 43kW (better) | 0kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £24,285 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2017–2019 | 2017–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 174 miles (better) | 81 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 145 miles (better) | 67 miles |
| Max rapid charge rate | 43 kW (better) | 0 kW |
| Home AC charging | 43 kW (better) | 22 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 40 kWh (better) | 16.7 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 12.7 sec |
| Power | 65 kW (better) | 60 kW |
| Torque | 220 Nm (better) | 160 Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Renault Zoe
All 2 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 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £5,895 | £6,495 |
| Average used price | £7,400 | £7,445 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 7.3% over ~6 months | Down 18.1% 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 - Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90
Tested 2013
Euro NCAP - Smart EQ forfour Base
Tested 2014
Adult Occupant78%
Child Occupant80%
Vulnerable Road Users56%
Safety Assist56%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | Smart EQ forfourBase |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km (better) | 100,000 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Smart EQ forfour
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
What are the Renault Zoe and Smart EQ forfour like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 145 miles for the Renault Zoe and 67 miles for the Smart EQ forfour - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Zoe goes roughly 78 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault Zoe or the Smart EQ forfour?
The Smart EQ forfour is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 65 mm narrower than the Renault Zoe. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 735 mm of total clearance for the Smart EQ forfour and about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe. The Smart EQ forfour also turns in a 1.9 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Renault Zoe or the Smart EQ forfour?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Renault Zoe and 84% for the Smart EQ forfour. 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. 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.
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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 Renault Zoe and Smart EQ forfour rank among the best small electric carsWhere the Renault Zoe and Smart EQ forfour rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Renault Zoe and Smart EQ forfour rank among the best city EVsWhere the Renault Zoe and Smart EQ forfour rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Renault Zoe and Smart EQ forfour rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Renault Zoe and Smart EQ forfour rank among Best Used Electric Cars Under £10,000 (UK)
If neither is quite right
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Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
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.
GuideBuying a Used smart EQ fortwo or forfour (2017-2024): Charging Faults, Real Range & What to Pay
A used smart EQ fortwo and forfour buyer’s guide: coupe, cabrio or four-seater, the 22 kW charger, charging and 12V faults, real-world range, the battery warranty, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .