Name: Renault Twingo Review
Item: Renault Twingo
Author: Gumtree.com

Renault’s Twingo was first launched back in 1992, and its third generation debuted in 2014. The French manufacturer chose the name for this compact city car as a portmanteau of three popular dances – the twist, swing, and tango – and this light-on-its-feet branding is reflected in its easy manoeuvrability and its cute, charming design. Ideal for city driving, the Twingo is also surprisingly spacious for such a small vehicle. Buyers on a budget will love how much personality the car packs in at an affordable price point.

Take a look at the Renault Twingo model page to learn more.

What we think about the Renault Twingo

The Twingo is an affordable, efficient city car with a surprising amount of character inside and out.

Pros

Distinctive, quirky design

Great fuel efficiency

Spacious interior for such a small vehicle

Tiny turning circle makes it ideal for city driving

Cons

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Engines are quite slow

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Small boot

The 2018 Renault Twingo is a compact city car with a hatchback style, available in both three-door and five-door versions. The entry-level engine in the Sce 70 version is a 1.0-litre petrol unit and it can provide up to 47 mpg. There’s also a TCe 90 variant, and the trims are called Play and Iconic.

Driving performance of the Renault Twingo

Our Driving Rating8 / 10

The Renault Twingo’s handling is a real mixed bag, varying depending on how you use the car and what kind of driving experience you’re after. Its rear-wheel-drive system is relatively unique for a city car and it makes this an extremely agile vehicle. It’s even easier to manoeuvre than cars of similarly compact dimensions and has a turning circle under nine metres. For tight corners and parking around town, it’s ideal. However, the ride lacks body control, and it can be unsatisfying and awkward when you take it out on the open road for longer journeys.

Safety and reliability of the Renault Twingo

Our Safety Rating8 / 10

If you’re using the Renault Twingo as a family runabout, you’ll be pleased to learn that it has decent safety credentials, although its 2014 Euro NCAP rating of four stars is lower than many competitors. It scored 78% for how well it protected adult passengers, but a slightly more reassuring 81% was awarded for protection of children on board. Four airbags come as standard, and its driver assistance tech includes stability control and tyre pressure monitoring.

Under the bonnet of the Renault Twingo

Our Engine Rating6 / 10

The Twingo’s engine line-up isn’t particularly inspiring. Its basic option is a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder petrol with an output of 69 bhp. This humble unit promises a 0-62 time of 14.5 seconds. If you want a bit more oomph, you could go for the turbocharged 0.9-litre engine, which has a claimed 0-62 time of 10.8 seconds. There’s also a GT version of the Twingo available, with a more powerful 99 bhp engine. This can still be found on the used market, but it has been discontinued by Renault.

What you'll find in the Renault Twingo

Our Design Rating8 / 10

Comfort and interiors in the Renault Twingo

Our Comfort Rating7 / 10

There’s almost as much character inside the Renault Twingo as outside, but its cheaper materials might make you notice its lower price point a bit more. The doors are particularly distinctive, with chunky handles and nice splashes of colour. For passengers in the back, there’s a surprisingly generous amount of legroom, so the majority of quick trips in and around town will be cosy and comfortable. However, the Twingo does have a relatively small boot even compared to similarly compact city cars – this can be a bit of a pain.

What features you'll find in the Renault Twingo

Our Features Rating7 / 10

As standard, the Renault Twingo comes with DAB radio, as well as Bluetooth and USB connectivity. If you want a more advanced infotainment system you’ll have to upgrade to the Techno pack, which offers a seven-inch touchscreen, Android Auto compatibility for mobile devices (no Apple CarPlay unfortunately) and a useful reversing camera. Other optional extras with the Twingo include a six-speaker sound system with some powerful subwoofers and fancy artificial leather on the seats.

What fuel efficiency to expect from the Renault Twingo

Our Fuel Consumption Rating8 / 10

Though the power output is relatively weak, you’ll love how many miles you can get to the gallon with the Renault Twingo’s engine line-up. Its entry-level 1.0-litre petrol unit will provide around 48.7 mpg, while the slightly smaller, more powerful turbo-charged version offers 47.9 mpg. The picture is less rosy when it comes to carbon emissions, although the lowest figure of 110 g/km is certainly no worse than competitors. There are no diesel or hybrid engines available here unfortunately, which does go down as a minus in the efficiency stakes.

Running costs of the Renault Twingo

Our Cost Rating8 / 10

Excellent fuel efficiency should go a long way towards saving you money as a Twingo owner, and it more than compensates for the fact that the car costs a little more than its key rivals. It’s also very cheap to insure, but some competitors offer even more savings on your premiums. If you’re buying new, the standard Renault warranty is five years. This is another plus point for the car’s long-term affordability, as the majority of manufacturers offer only three years of coverage.

Our verdict of the Renault Twingo

4 / 5 Gumtree rating

If you're looking for a cheap, compact city car, the Renault Twingo's unique personality, great efficiency and impressive agility make it hard to ignore.

Renault Twingo Review