Loading comparison
Renault Zoe (ZE40) vs VW e-Golf
Selected trimZE 40 Q90 · 2017-19Change trim174 mi · 41 kWh · Not available
Selected trim24kWh · 2014-17Change trim118 mi · 24.2 kWh · £30,845
At a glance
In this comparison, Renault Zoe leads on charging speed, running costs and city driving, while the VW e-Golf leads on value for money.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault Zoe (ZE40) if...
- 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
Choose the VW e-Golf if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault Zoe leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
Renault
0
VW
4.4
Motorway Range
Renault
3.1
VW
2.8
Too close to call
Family
Renault
6.9
VW
6.7
Too close to call
ChargingRenault
Renault
4.1
VW
3.4
Cost Per MileRenault
Renault
6.3
VW
5.8
City DrivingRenault
Renault
8.4
VW
7.3
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 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Not available | £30,845 |
| Official range | 174 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Boot space | 338 L | 341 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | Not available | 22 min |
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 10.4 sec |
Size Comparison
View:
Align by:
Renault Zoe
VW e-Golf
Length
Renault Zoe4,084mm-186mm
VW e-Golf4,270mm
Width
Renault Zoe1,730mm-69mm
VW e-Golf1,799mm
Height
Renault Zoe1,562mm
VW e-Golf1,482mm-80mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,084 mm | 4,270 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,730 mm (better) | 1,799 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,027 mm |
| Height | 1,562 mm | 1,482 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.6 m (better) | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 670 mm spare (better) | 601 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 338 L | 341 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 1231 L |
Full specifications
| Specification |  Renault Zoe ZE 40 Q90 |  VW e-Golf 24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.08m | 4.27m+186mm |
| Width | 1.73m | 1.80m+69mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.03m |
| Height | 1.56m | 1.48m-80mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.59m | 2.63m+43mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 127mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 338L | 341L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1231L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.56m (better) | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,585kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 41kWh (better) | 24.2kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 174 mi (better) | 118 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 43kW (better) | 40kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | Not available | £30,845 |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2017–2019 | 2014–2017 |
* VW e-Golf: 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 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 174 miles (better) | 118 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 145 miles (better) | 71 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 22 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 43 kW (better) | 40 kW |
| Home AC charging | 43 kW (better) | 3.6 kW |
| Energy consumption | Not available | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 40 kWh (better) | 20.5 kWh |
| 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 | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | Not available | 10.4 sec |
| Power | 65 kW | 85 kW (better) |
| Torque | 220 Nm | 270 Nm (better) |
| 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.
Renault Zoe
ZE 40 Q90
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
VW e-Golf
24kWh
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 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £5,895 | £9,795 |
| Average used price | £7,400 | £9,795 |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 7.3% over ~6 months | Up 3.2% 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 - VW e-Golf 24kWh
Tested 2012
Adult Occupant94%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist71%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Renault ZoeZE 40 Q90 | VW e-Golf24kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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
VW e-Golf
24kWh
Owners love
- Owners like that it drives like a normal Golf: refined, comfortable, well built and with physical controls rather than touchscreens.
- Owners report very good efficiency, around 4 to 5 miles per kWh in mild weather, which gives the 35.8 kWh car roughly 120 to 140 miles.
- The battery pack has a good reliability record, with very few reported failures.
Watch out for
- Winter range drops sharply: owners of the 35.8 kWh car report around 90 to 100 miles in cold weather, and less without a heat pump.
- Rapid charging is slow by current standards (40 kW peak, tapering above about 80%), so long trips need long stops.
- Several owners report the charge-port lock actuator wearing out, clicking after charging or stopping the car from charging.
Owner tips
- Check whether the car has the optional heat pump before buying; it is not on every car.
- On rapid chargers stop at about 80%, because the last 20% takes disproportionately long.
Buying options
Get a quote
Renault Zoe
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW e-Golf
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Renault Zoe
No active listings.
VW e-Golf
- £9,7952017Drive GreenView
Frequently asked questions
What are the Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 145 miles for the Renault Zoe and 71 miles for the VW e-Golf - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Zoe goes roughly 74 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Renault Zoe or the VW e-Golf?
The Renault Zoe is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 69 mm narrower than the VW e-Golf. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 670 mm of total clearance for the Renault Zoe and about 601 mm of total clearance for the VW e-Golf. The Renault Zoe also turns in a 0.3 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 VW e-Golf?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Renault Zoe and 84% for the VW e-Golf. 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.
More Renault Zoe comparisons
More VW e-Golf 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 Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf rank among the best family EVsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf rank among the best city EVsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf rank among EVs with the biggest bootsWhere the Renault Zoe and VW e-Golf 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.
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.
GuideUsed VW e-Golf buyer's guide (2014-2020)
Buying a used Volkswagen e-Golf: the 24.2 and 35.8 kWh versions, the battery warranty running out, realistic range, the charge-port fault owners report, recalls and what to pay in 2026.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .