Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Twingo vs rivals

Renault’s new Twingo has sailed into the UK, hoping to make waves in the city car class. We see how it shapes up against rivals from Toyota and Citroen

Every year, more than 2.5 million British cars head through the port of Dover on the way to France. And up until now a trip across the Channel was the only time you would have spotted a Renault Twingo.

Unveiled in 1993, the French firm sold 2.4 million of the cute-faced city cars, but it wasn’t made in right-hand drive, so never reached the UK. However, the launch of the second-generation model has changed that, and the Twingo has finally ‘docked’ in the UK. Available for £8,375 in 1.2 Dynamique guise, or £9,995 for the 1.2 GT tried here, the newcomer aims to be a major player in the cut-throat city car segment. So can the Twingo make an impact on these shores?

The competition we’ve lined up is certainly tough. The Citroen C2 is its top homegrown rival and has been popular in the UK. Citroen recently made its 110bhp 1.6-litre HDi diesel available in VTS trim, and it’s this model we test. However, a price tag of £13,400 makes it the costliest C2 in the range.

For considerably less you could choose the Toyota Yaris SR. Originally only available with a 1.8-litre engine, SR trim is now offered with an 85bhp 1.3-litre unit – and with a £10,645 price tag, it falls between its French rivals on cost. So read on to find out which of these city cars with a sporty edge comes out on top.

Verdict

While the new Renault Twingo is a capable city car, it brings little new to the market, and there are more accomplished rivals available for similar money. True, it’s cheap and has decent standard equipment, but the GT variant is far from sporty and seems at odds with the model’s supposed urban appeal. Worse still, build quality is below par, and the Twingo lacks refinement, which is why it finishes third here.

Citroen is famed for its cashback deals, so haggling down the C2’s price – which seems high in this company – shouldn’t be a problem. The engine is the best on test, and the VTS is a fun runabout, despite our concerns over its fit and finish. That leaves the Toyota Yaris SR to take top spot. It proves you can buy an upmarket, well built and entertaining supermini without breaking the bank. While the 1.3-litre engine lacks pace, overall it’s a great package.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Omoda 5

Omoda 5

RRP £25,915Avg. savings £1,743 off RRP*Used from £18,900
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,261 off RRP*Used from £13,600
Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,275
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,028 off RRP*Used from £12,500
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution
Connecting charger to Hyundai Tucson PHEV

Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution

Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate
News
19 May 2025
New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return
Ford Fiesta exclusive image

New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini’s potential return

The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here’s everything we know so far
News
20 May 2025
Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Opinion - Kia

Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots

Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Opinion
19 May 2025