Here is Renault’s new third-edition Twingo – an attractive, if quirky edition to the burgeoning city car sector.

The expressive front end reflects the fun-to-drive character of the car and features Renault’s familiar design cues, including a bold version of the company logo set into a black background. At the rear, wide shoulders which stretch from the sides are a throwback to those on the Renault 5 Turbo. Disguised rear door handles lend the car a coupé-like appearance. All versions of All-New Twingo come with body-coloured bumpers, door handles and exterior door mirror shells, a rear spoiler and LED daytime running lights. 

There are three versions – Expression, Play and Dynamique, powered by a choice of two engines – the new 1.0-litre 70 hp SCe three-cylinder normally aspirated engine and a Dynamique TCe 90 with a 0.9-litre 90 hp three-cylinder turbocharged unit. Dynamique models have Renault’s Stop & Start system, which cuts the engine when the car is stationary in traffic to reduce emissions and improve economy.

Despite height-only steering wheel adjustment and a driver's seat that's high even at its lowest setting, most people should be able to make themselves comfortable in the Twingo, and all-round visibility is good. However, the central digital display won’t be liked by everyone and the stereo buttons are a bit fiddly.

It might be small, but the all-New Twingo boasts impressive versatility, with sufficient head and legroom.  Luggage capacity is 219 litres and can be extended to 980 litres by folding the 50:50 split rear seats. There is also 52 litres of personal storage space within the cabin. Practicality is further aided by the unique-in-class folding front passenger seat and a split-folding two-seat rear bench as well as numerous cabin storage areas, three cupholders and a boot light. 

Comfort and convenience are provided with electric power steering, electric front windows, remote central locking, a speed limiter, a height-adjustable steering wheel, a trip computer and gearchange indicator, a lane-change function for the indicators and the automatic activation of the rear screen wiper when reverse gear is selected. Key options, depending on model, are an electric panoramic fabric sunroof, rear parking sensors, a choice of premium sound systems and the ‘Seats’, ‘Techno’, and’ Convenience’ packs, which offer themed items of extra equipment at lower prices than if bought individually.

Safety equipment includes Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Brake Assist and four airbags as well as front and rear headrests and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

Having the engine at the rear allows the front and rear overhangs to be kept short, which helps to endow the All-New Twingo with a best-in-class turning circle of only 8.59 metres. This extra agility makes it easier than the majority of cars to manoeuvre into kerbside parking spaces or end-on parking bays.  

The three-cylinder 12-valve engines offer up to 14 mpg greater fuel economy with as much as 35 g/km lower CO2 emissions than the power units in the previous Twingo, culminating in official figures of 67.3 mpg and just 95 g/km for the Dynamique SCe 70 with Start & Stop. All versions exceed 60 mpg in mixed use and 50 mpg on the urban cycle.

This 70 PS 1.2 litre is more than adequate around town, but can feel a bit short of breath on fast A-roads and motorways. Those requiring stronger performance will need the 90 PS turbocharged version, while buyers looking for higher performance again will be interested in the 130 PS 1.6 litre Renaultsport, which offers junior hot-hatch thrills.

Ride quality is comfortable thanks to a supple suspension, although there is a fair amount of body lean through corners – especially on the more basic models. The Dynamique TCe 90 is fitted with Variable Gear Ratio power-assisted steering, making the vehicle more agile and reactive at lower speeds.

Refinement levels on all models are pretty good, if not quite up to class best, with good sound proofing suppressing the majority of engine, road and wind noise.

Verdict:

The Renault Twingo is a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive city car. It’s exceptionally manoeuvrable, good looking and boasts impressive cabin space, but isn’t particularly good fun to drive, while being more expensive than many rivals.

Tech spec:

Renault Twingo Play SCe 70
Price £9,995
Engine 3 cyls in line, 1199cc, petrol
Power 70 PS at 6000 rpm
Torque 91 Nm at 2850rpm
Gearbox 5-spd manual 
0-62mph 14.5.sec
Top speed 94mph
Economy 56.5mpg (combined)
CO2 112g/km