Renault Twingo review (2014-2019)
The Renault Twingo is a five-door city car with a twist – it's rear-engined and rear-wheel-drive. That helps it stay compact and maximise interior space, so it's great in the city and a perfect choice for first-time drivers or couples who tend to stay in town. Continue reading below for our road-tested Renault Twingo review.
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Pros
- Spacious interior
- Easy to drive around town
- Rear-engined like a 911
Cons
- 1.0-litre engine is a little weak
- Rivals have more boot space
Interior
Our rating: 6/10
‘Funky’ is a good word to describe the Renault Twingo’s interior.
Throughout the interior, there are nice pops of colour from trim pieces available in a combination of shades and textures – the idea was clearly to add personality, and it works.
It also might be a city car, but the Renault Twingo is remarkably spacious. Two adults will be genuinely happy with the room on offer in the rear seats.
The rear windows only pop open, rather than wind down, but that should not be an issue, especially on cars with air-con.
Tech and features
There are a few trim levels of the Twingo that add a number of goodies.
Expression has four airbags, front electric windows, a digital radio, Bluetooth, a smartphone cradle, remote central locking and electronic stability control.
Play adds air-con, alloy wheels and height adjustment for the driver’s seat.
Dynamique wraps the steering wheel in leather, and adds cruise control and a lane departure warning system.
Dynamique S goes further still, adding some leather trim to the seats and stripes to the exterior.
Range-topping GT models also get climate control, rear parking sensors, a metal gear knob and a few other trim enhancements.
Some cars may have been upgraded to a six-speaker sound system, while those with the Techno Pack get a seven-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and a reversing camera.
Performance
Our rating: 7/10
Handling and ride comfort
The best thing about the Renault Twingo is how good it is to drive in town. Its turning circle is tiny, making life easier when you need to make a U-turn or get into a tight parking space.
Most versions deal with rutted road surfaces well – the exception is the GT, which is the sportiest version and has stiffer suspension.
Engines and power
Speaking of which, this hottest Twingo uses a more powerful version of the 0.9-litre turbo petrol engine you’ll find in the rest of the range – there’s also a non-turbo 1.0-litre engine with less power.
All are great within the city limits, but the more powerful GT is best if you occasionally head out on faster roads.
Practicality
Our rating: 7/10
Storage solutions
As well as being spacious, the Twingo’s interior has plenty of storage solutions, including three cup holders, door bins, a large glovebox and a front central tray.
Some cars also have storage under the rear seats.
Boot space
The boot’s floor is not as deep as on some rivals because the engine sits beneath it, but you will still be able to get a handful of food shopping bags in there.
The rear seats are split 50/50 and fold flat, allowing the Twingo to carry a couple of large suitcases. Even better, the front passenger seat can be folded down to help you fit in long loads.
Running costs
Our rating: 7/10
Fuel economy
The Renault Twingo’s engines are relatively economical, and you should be able to achieve at least 40mpg with all of them – and closer to 50mpg on longer trips out of town.
It's an ideal first or second car and shouldn't make too much of a dent in your pocket.
Reliability
Renault has improved its reputation for reliability in recent years, and the Twingo should be as reliable as other recent models from the French brand: fairly reliable.
Parts should be pretty cheap, and it's built on the same platform as the Smart Forfour, making parts even more readily available.
The verdict
Interior
6/10
Performance
7/10
Practicality
7/10
Running costs
7/10
City cars are rarely this much fun, both to look at and to drive. This helps the Twingo stand out from the crowd.
Even better, it's still practical, spacious enough for four adults, has a decent amount of equipment, and offers sprightly and economical engine options.
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