As a full electric vehicle, it would seem like the Renault Fluence ZE offers all the practically and usability of a regular family car, with all the eco-perks of owning an electric vehicle. However, are the money-saving incentives that come with this vehicle enough to rival its opponents? And is this car really one that will work well for your family? Let’s take a look.
As a full electric vehicle, it would seem like the Renault Fluence ZE offers all the practically and usability of a regular family car, with all the eco-perks of owning an electric vehicle. However, are the money-saving incentives that come with this vehicle enough to rival its opponents? And is this car really one that will work well for your family? Let’s take a look.
Pros and Cons of the Renault Fluence
Pros:
- The Price Tag- The Renault Fluence offers a better price tag all around. Not only does it cost less than many opponents, but Renault actually rents new car owners the expensive batteries this vehicle needs (for £1,000 per year). This means lower upfront costs and lower costs when it comes to repairing car parts. It’s also eligible for a £5,000 EV grant from the government, allowing you to save even more or put money away for future repairs to Renault parts. As long as the rental fee for the battery is lower than what you would expect to spend on fuel for a year, you’re going to save money.
- Reliability- Because electric cars require few moving car parts than petrol or diesel cars, they tend, by default, to be more reliable. If you buy the car new, however, you also get other perks with your lease, like breakdown recovery, protection if the battery runs out of charge, and a warranty that guarantees a replacement if the battery degrades or malfunctions.
- The Drive- The single-speed gearbox that comes with the Fluence provides a lot of the same qualities most look for in expensive cars, including a quiet, almost silent drive.
The Cons
- Comfort- While the Fluence has a lot of things going for it, comfort is not one of them. The suspension is firm, which means that the potholes tend to rattle the occupants of the car and the rid tends to be a bit harsh.
- Boot Space- Renault put a lot of thought into ensuring the dimension of the car were long enough that there was no loss of boot space for car owners. The additional length that generally does not come with other electric vehicles means that three adults can fit in the back seat comfortably with a remaining 317 litres of space in the boot. However, while this may sound like plenty of space, the boot has an awkward layout that makes it impractical for loading or hauling heavy items. The boot is deep, but its length is relatively short.
- Limited Range- If your family has a habit of driving long distances, this is not the car for you. While Renault claims that its batteries have a range up to 115 miles, the reality is that these Renault parts can need recharging after as little as 50 miles. This means the majority of your holiday plan will include planning stops to recharge the battery.
Are you thinking of purchasing a Renault Fluence ZE saloon? While the price tag is definitely tempting, and the reduced costs for maintain car parts is a bargain, you may want to consider how far you plan to drive it, the road you’ll be driving on, and what you want to haul in the boot before you sign the lease.
