Cheerful Renault Twingo turns out to be a serious price fighter | News

The small Renault Twingo was a hit 30 years ago due to its cheerful appearance, smart layout and surprisingly large interior space. Now it’s back: fully electric and attractively priced.

The price list of the new Twingo starts at € 20,990 in the Netherlands. That is competitive, especially for an electric car, because many small petrol cars now cost around 25,000 euros. In terms of appearance, Renault has clearly taken inspiration from the original Twingo. The round shapes with the so-called unibox design and the friendly appearance are very reminiscent of the 90s version. Yet the new generation has grown considerably. At 3.79 meters, it is no less than 30 cm longer than the original and also almost 10 cm wider.

The newcomer is on the same platform as the electric Renault 4 and 5. This means that it shares a lot of technology with those models. An important difference with the past is that the new Twingo is now a five-door car. That makes getting into the back much easier. The rear doors also open wide, providing good access to the rear seats.

Inside, usability is still a strong point. The rear seats are sliding, just like the rear seats used to be. This provides flexibility: you can opt for more legroom in the back or more luggage space. The trunk can vary from 260 liters (if you give the rear passengers plenty of legroom) to a maximum of 360 liters.

If you fold the rear seats, you even get 1,000 liters of cargo space with a wide, square opening. That makes it easy to take a bicycle or large box with you, for example. However, the back seat becomes completely unusable for anyone over 2 years old if you use the trunk to its fullest. The rear side windows are hinged windows: nostalgic but also a bit shabby.

At the front, the interior is more contemporary. The basic Evolution version has air conditioning, a 10.1-inch touchscreen with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This allows you to connect your smartphone and navigate via your own apps such as Google Maps or Waze. The more luxurious Techno version offers Google Automotive software, climate control and a reversing camera.

The dashboard panel is white in the Evolution, while in the Techno it is the same color as the body. The chairs are simple but offer more support than expected, although the seat is on the short side. The steering wheel and climate controls feel solid and are not reminiscent of a budget car. Steel wheels are always standard, you have to pay extra for alloy wheels.

Fast charging is possible with a maximum of 50 kW and at home you can charge with 11 kW thanks to the also standard three-phase charger. A smart decision by Renault, because electric driving without these fast charging options is often very annoying. It is also good for the residual value, because it prevents you from falling behind technically within a few years.

The Twingo E-Tech always has the same drivetrain: an 82 hp electric motor on the front axle and a 27.5 kWh LFP battery. You can charge such a battery to 100 percent without any problems, which is useful for daily use. The official range is 263 km. In practice, this will be around 200 km, and in cold weather or higher driving speeds it will be even less. The expensive version has a standard system that preheats the battery in cold weather, so that charging is faster. This car does not have a heat pump.

On the highway you notice that this is not a car for long journeys at high speed. The top speed is 130 km/h and the sprint to 100 km/h takes just over 12 seconds. It goes smoothly up to 80 km/h, but above that the reserve runs out quickly. Renault let us test the car in Ibiza, where there are no highways – a choice that says a lot about the character of the Twingo.

A nice addition are the paddles behind the steering wheel that allow you to adjust the degree of regenerative braking. In the highest setting you can drive almost entirely with one pedal: you release the gas and the car brakes sharply, so you have to use the brake pedal less often.

In terms of driving behavior, the Twingo appears to be especially comfortable. It does not have sporting ambitions like the Renault 5. The rear axle comes from the Clio and the suspension is simple: different from the advanced multilink suspension of the Renault 4 and 5. Yet the car feels mature. The steering is light and easy, although it provides little feedback. Compared to a Citroën ë-C3, the Twingo is a bit firmer on the road, but it remains softly sprung, which is nice in the city and on bumpy roads.

The rear damping is perhaps a little too flexible, causing the car to move a little more over larger bumps. Yet the overall picture is positive: the Twingo drives pleasantly, is easy to operate and does not feel like a cheap, stripped-down EV.

The entry-level Evolution costs €20,990. It has steel wheels with hubcaps, a white dashboard panel, air conditioning, cruise control and all the sliding rear seats.

The Techno costs €22,590 and adds Google Automotive software, climate control, a reversing camera and a body-coloured dashboard panel. Alloy wheels and heated seats are optional, whether or not part of a package.

Towing a trailer is not possible: the towing weight is zero. If you want to take more luggage with you, the front seat in the Techno version can be folded down, making it easy to carry long objects.

Even a fully equipped Twingo remains well under 25,000 euros. This makes it cheaper than many petrol cars in the same class and offers more space and comfort than competitors such as the Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T.03. Also compared to petrol models like the Kia Picanto and Toyota Aygo The Twingo scores better on interior space and driving comfort.

The biggest disadvantage of the Twingo E-Tech is its limited range. For city use and short journeys, 200 km is more than sufficient, but those who often drive long distances will be more likely to look at an EV with a larger battery. Above all, the Twingo is an affordable, practical electric city car with a touch of nostalgia. It offers a lot of flexibility in terms of interior layout, drives comfortably and is surprisingly well equipped for its price.