Renault Twingo
Used Car Review

Overview

Looking for a quirky city car that brings fun to your daily commute? The Renault Twingo might be just the companion you need. This pint sized French hatchback stands out with its unique rear engine layout and cheeky personality. It’s designed for people who want maximum manoeuvrability in tight urban spaces without sacrificing character.

From its distinctive round headlights to its compact dimensions, the Twingo makes a statement on city streets. Its rear engine configuration creates a surprisingly spacious interior and an incredibly tight turning circle. This makes it perfect for navigating narrow streets and squeezing into parking spaces that would challenge rivals like the Ford Fiesta or Toyota Yaris. The cabin feels airy and modern, with clever storage solutions throughout.

Behind the wheel, the Twingo offers a uniquely engaging driving experience. The rear mounted engine gives it playful handling characteristics that make even mundane trips feel more interesting. It’s nimble, responsive, and surprisingly refined for such a small package. While it may not be the most practical choice for families, it excels as a second car or urban runabout. The Twingo proves that small cars can have big personalities and genuine charm.

What's the Renault Twingo Like to Drive?

The Renault Twingo‘s performance revolves around its unusual rear engine setup. The standard 1.0 litre three cylinder petrol engine produces around 70 horsepower, which suits the car’s city focused character perfectly. For more spirited driving, the turbocharged TCe versions offer up to 95 horsepower. The rear engine placement means power goes directly to the back wheels, creating a unique driving feel that sets it apart from conventional front wheel drive city cars.

What makes the Twingo special is how it handles. The rear engine layout provides excellent traction and creates an unexpectedly engaging drive through corners. Steering is light and precise, making parking effortless with one of the tightest turning circles in its class. The suspension strikes a good balance between comfort and control. While it’s not designed to be a hot hatchback, the Twingo GT version adds more power and sportier handling for those wanting extra excitement. Overall, it’s a car that prioritises fun and character over outright speed.

Inside the Renault Twingo: Comfort & Features

Step inside the Twingo and you’ll find a surprisingly spacious cabin thanks to that clever rear engine layout. The dashboard is clean and modern with soft touch materials in key areas. The digital instrument cluster is clear and easy to read, while the touchscreen infotainment system includes smartphone connectivity. Build quality feels solid for a car in this price range, with everything fitting together neatly.

The front seats are comfortable and supportive with good adjustment range. Rear passengers get more legroom than you’d expect from such a compact car, though headroom can be tight for taller adults. The cabin remains pleasantly quiet at city speeds, though wind noise becomes more noticeable on faster roads. Climate control is effective and the large windows create an airy feeling. Storage spaces are cleverly designed throughout, with useful cubbyholes and bottle holders. The overall ambience is cheerful and welcoming, perfectly matching the car’s upbeat character.

The Renault Twingo succeeds brilliantly at being different in a crowded market segment. Its rear engine layout isn’t just a gimmick, it genuinely improves packaging and handling while creating a unique driving character. The interior feels more spacious than the exterior dimensions suggest, and build quality is reassuringly solid. Running costs are impressively low, making it ideal for budget conscious buyers.

Nicholas Zapolski Car Expert

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Renault Twingo?

The Twingo shines when it comes to running costs, making it an excellent choice for budget conscious drivers. Real world fuel economy regularly exceeds 50 mpg, with the most efficient versions achieving close to 60 mpg. This translates to low weekly fuel bills even with regular use. Insurance groups are very reasonable, typically ranging from group 5 to 10 depending on the engine choice.

Purchase prices are competitive, especially on the used market where good examples can be found for well under £10,000. Servicing costs are modest thanks to Renault’s extensive dealer network and reasonable parts prices. The simple mechanicals mean maintenance shouldn’t break the bank. car finance options are widely available, making monthly payments affordable for most budgets. While depreciation can be steep initially, this works in favour of used car buyers. Overall, the Twingo represents excellent value for money with low total cost of ownership.

Is the Renault Twingo Practical for Everyday Use?

For such a compact car, the Twingo makes clever use of its available space. The 188 litre boot is small but usefully shaped, easily handling a weekly shop or overnight bags. The rear seats fold down to extend cargo capacity when needed. Inside the cabin, storage solutions are thoughtfully designed with door pockets, cup holders, and a useful glovebox. The rear engine layout means no transmission tunnel, creating more floor space for passengers.

Where the Twingo shows its limits is in family use. While four adults can fit inside, longer journeys become cramped for rear passengers. The small boot also restricts luggage capacity for holidays or large shopping trips. However, as a city car or second vehicle, the Twingo excels. Its tiny dimensions make it perfect for urban parking while still offering reasonable interior space. Compared to other used Renault cars, it maximises space efficiency brilliantly. For singles, couples, or as an additional family car, it strikes an excellent balance between size and practicality.

The Renault Twingo stands out in the city car segment by offering something genuinely different. Its rear engine layout creates practical benefits and driving enjoyment that conventional rivals can’t match. The spacious interior, excellent fuel economy, and characterful handling make it an appealing choice for urban drivers. While not the most practical option for families, it excels as a primary city car or second vehicle.

You choose the Twingo because you want a car with personality rather than just transportation. Its unique engineering, low running costs, and distinctive styling create an ownership experience that feels special. It’s ideally suited for city driving but remains comfortable on longer trips. For buyers seeking an affordable car with genuine character, the Twingo represents excellent value, especially among cars under £10,000 on the used market.