What a Car - UK - (2020-04)

GEORGEFORREST

LYNPRANGLE

whatcar.com^ April 2020 37

Age 35

Job CAA ofcer

Drives Renault Zoe

“I chose the original Zoe as my

first electric car because it was

easily the best value for money

to buy. There’s also the styling;

I like the fact that it looks like

a ‘normal’ car. That’s why I’m

pleased it hasn’t been changed

drastically; it’s mainly just some

extra sculpting and LED lights.

“The new interior is excellent –

not least because it now has two

full-size cupholders. Having four

USB ports, rather than one, is

also good for keeping the kids

happy in the back. The Zoe is

easily practical enough for a

family with two children. The new

infotainment is also an important

step forward, especially because

it now comes with Apple CarPlay

and Android Auto.

“I didn’t actually need more

range, but I’m sure the 245 miles

that the new, bigger battery

provides will take the fear out

of electric cars for many people.

It helps that it can now charge

much quicker, too, even if I rarely

use public rapid chargers; I can’t

charge at home, but I can at work.

“I don’t mind that Renault has

removed the option to lease the

battery, rather than buying it

outright, because my car’s battery

still had all of its original capacity

after three years of ownership.”

Age 22

Job Technical

director

Drives Renault Zoe

“The Zoe has definitely been

improved in all the key areas. The

design is much more stylish than

before, especially at the front,

plus there are now foglights and

‘scrolling’ LED indicators.

“The infotainment is much

better as well. The digital

instrument display is bigger,

at 10.0in, and lets you see the

sat-nav map. I also prefer the

portrait orientation of the new

9.3in central touchscreen to

the old 7.0in landscape screen.

It’s very responsive, easy to use

and fully customisable, like a

tablet computer. There’s a 4G

data connection as well, so the

car can receive wireless software

updates, and the upgraded Bose

stereo sounds great.

“The interior is surprisingly

spacious and its design is

completely new. I also like the

introduction of recycled plastic

material for the seats; it works

well in combination with leather

on the high-spec GT-Line model.

The material feels much softer

than that used in the BMW i3.

“I’m excited to hear that

there’s a more powerful model

with 134bhp. There’s also talk of

a Zoe RS hot hatch, which would

widen the appeal of electric cars.”

‘I’m excited to hear there’s a more

powerful model with 134bhp’

Portrait-orientated 10.0in touchscreen gets the thumbs-up from all of our readers

New model is practical enough for a family with two kids, according to Zoe owner Lyn