Renault Twingo GT
Ratings
4 stars
Summary
Recommended. This fun and funky supermini from Renault might be small, but it's got bags of character.
Review
The Twingo has always been the baby of the Renault family, and you don't have to stray far across the Channel to spot an abundance of them. The only ones in this country though are a few left-hookers of the previous version; with the launch of this new model this is the first time the Twingo has been available in the UK with right-hand drive.
It's quite a cheeky-looking car really, and although Renault has been criticised for being too sedate with its design, we quite like it. We tested the GT model, which gets loads of quirky exterior features that help smarten up its appearance. There's the neat silver detailing around the fog lamps with engraved GT insignia, and a matching silver rear spoiler. GT trim also receives smart 15-inch alloy wheels and dark-tinted rear windows. Our model also had the chequered flag detailing on the side, which will cost £80. And that's on top of the extra £1620 the GT already costs over the standard Dynamique - but it is made up for with tons of extra equipment including automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, and air conditioning.
It is powered by the excellent 100bhp 1.2 turbo-charged TCE engine - also featured in the Clio and Modus - which packs more than enough grunt for such a small car; 0-62mph is reached in a not-too-shabby 9.8 seconds, and it will go on to a top speed of 117mph. It's relatively cheap to run too, averaging 47.8mpg with CO2 emissions of 140g/km, placing it nicely in road tax band C. It's not a bad motorway companion either, although it would benefit from a sixth gear as it revs highly and isn't the quietest engine at cruising speeds. There is a fair bit of road noise too, but nothing the radio can't mask.
Thanks to the car's short wheelbase and fairly low centre of gravity, it handles a bit like a large go-kart, which makes it a lot of fun to drive, but this does mean it bounces around over less-than-smooth road surfaces. The throttle pedal is very light in the Twingo and can be a little oversensitive. The result is being thrown back in your seat as it accelerates or hurled forward as you take your foot off to slow down - achieving a gentle get-away certainly requires practice. The brakes are excellent however; unlike with many larger Renaults where the brake pedals also seem to suffer from sensitivity problems.
Inside, the Twingo's cabin is a pleasant place to be, although the dash is a little plasticky and the rev counter looks like an after thought, stuck onto the steering column. The seats are comfortable - although the driving position is a little high - and the cabin is much roomier than you might expect. Surprisingly, it can seat four adults, thanks to adjustable rear seats which slide back and forwards by up to 10cm. However, once slid all the way back, they take up the majority of the boot space so you may have to choose between your friends and your luggage.
Ratings Breakdown
Styling
4 star
In GT spec the car looks great with the silver detailing and 15-inch alloys, but by comparison, the standard car in Dynamique trim looks a little uninspiring.
Handling
3 star
It will take the most brutal of corners to unnerve this car, thanks to its go-kart-like handling, which makes it a lot of fun to drive. The steering is a bit too light to give any real feel, however.
Comfort
3 star
It's comfy enough, but the driver's seat could benefit from more adjustment. It bounces around over bumps too, which can rattle your bones a bit, but it is a fine line between comfort and good handling.
Quality & Reliability
3 star
If you're expecting the good-looks to continue inside the car, then you'll be disappointed. The plasticky trim is solid and functional but rather dreary. Mechanically, Renaults are sound, so expect very little to go wrong with this car.
Performance
4 star
The TCE 100 engine is at its best in the Twingo - it is also available in the Clio and Modus - benefiting from the cars light weight to produce impressive performance figures for this class.
Roominess
3 star
It will seat four adults thanks to rear sliding seats that adjust by up to 10cm. When the seats are all the way back boot space is compromised, but with the back seats forward, the boot is a standard size for its class. There is substantial elbow room in the front too.
Running Costs
4 star
Fuel economy of 47.8mpg and average CO2 emissions put this car in tax band C. The GT gets an insurance group of 5E, while the Dynamique is even lower, in group 3E. With servicing intervals at 18,000 miles, this car is relatively cheap to run, and initial costs are below that of its rivals.
Value for money
3 star
It isn't as generously equipped as other mainstream models and isn't that far off the price of the bigger Clio. Expect the Twingo to hold its value at least as well as the Clio though, thanks to its more unconventional appeal.
