Renault is well regarded for its high standards of safety, with many of its recent models achieving the maximum five-star crash test rating. The Fluence, however, only achieved a four-star result in Euro NCAP crash testing. It comes with ABS, emergency brake assist, stability control, six airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters. The cars have even been tested in flooding, fire and accident situations to ensure that nothing unexpected occurs.

Despite the saloon looks, it’s not as practical or as compact as you might hope. It’s about as big as a Volkswagen Passat, but only offers 317 litres of boot space. The Passat, however, offers a total of 565 litres. That’s 248 litres more. Even the electric Nissan LEAF has up to 330 litres of storage space. The Fluence Z.E.’s boot is also an awkward shape, meaning fitting in luggage can be something of a challenge.

This is due to the battery that’s fitted behind the rear seats. There is, however, a decent amount of storage scattered through the cabin. Buyers also need to consider the ever-present issue of range. In the worst-case scenario, would 50 miles be enough to complete your entire journey? The leasing agreement for the battery does include breakdown recovery so, if the worst happens and your battery runs flat, you can get towed to a charging point.

A full recharge can take from six to 12 hours, depending on the system used. That’s worth bearing in mind if you intend to use the car frequently. One saving grace is that you may be able to find a local rapid charging point, which can charge the battery completely in 30 minutes. The downside to this is that it may shorten the life of the battery.