Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Twizy Technic

Unconventional design and cheap price are the Twizy’s trump cards

If you get the chance, it’s worth driving a Twizy just to see how much attention it generates. However, owning one demands too many compromises. A basic layout and limited weather protection mean it makes more sense in warmer climates, while the limited range will keep you within the city, where the punishingly hard ride soon becomes tiresome.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While the compact design of the Smart ForTwo has become a familiar sight on UK roads, the Renault Twizy is still a relative rarity, thanks to its limited range and basic weather protection. The narrow track and tall roof mean it looks like a four-wheeled photo booth, and it falls somewhere between a scooter and a city car in terms of size.

However, these unusual looks mean the Twizy draws a crowd faster than a six-figure supercar, and you don’t even have to go for the crazy optional colour schemes to achieve this. Everywhere we went, cameraphones clicked away and passers-by stopped to comment. You need a pretty thick skin to cope with the attention, as the silent running means you hear every gasp and laugh that the Twizy creates.

That thick skin will help protect you from the elements, too. The doors and plastic windows of the car in our test cost an extra £840, and while the windscreen and roof keep you dry, the cabin is draughty. The tandem seat layout means the back seat passenger faces even more of the breeze. Still, if you wear plenty of layers, as if you were riding a motorbike, it’s bearable. The cabin takes the scooter approach with its finish, as it uses weatherproof rubber and plastics throughout.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Crossland X

2020 Vauxhall

Crossland X

13,361 milesAutomaticPetrol1.2L

Cash £12,699
View Crossland X
Kamiq

2021 Skoda

Kamiq

36,819 milesAutomaticPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,099
View Kamiq
T-Cross

2023 Volkswagen

T-Cross

37,589 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £15,099
View T-Cross
500C

2022 Fiat

500C

15,312 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £11,217
View 500C

Driving the Twizy is unlike anything else on the road, as it mixes the central seating position and exposed nature of a scooter with the controls of a conventional car. The gearbox is operated via push buttons on the dash, and the handbrake is activated by a lever underneath the steering column.

Engage Drive, and unlike the Smart, there’s no creep from the electric drivetrain, so low-speed manoeuvres are tricky, as you have to gently tickle the accelerator to get the Twizy moving. The unassisted steering is also heavy at a standstill, although it’s fine when you’re on the move, and it has a tight turning circle.

While the Renault is tall and narrow, it carries most of its kerbweight low down between the wheels, so it has plenty of grip and hardly any body roll, thanks to its stiff suspension. But that firm set-up means the ride is uncomfortable. Even the smallest bumps lead to shudders through the cabin, and big bumps can send you flying out of the seat. Add in the whining electric drivetrain, as well as the constant buffeting, and the Twizy can very quickly become tiresome to drive.

Not that you’ll be driving it for long periods. Renault claims a 62-mile range, but admits 50 miles is more realistic – nearly half that of the Smart. But it takes only three-and-a-half hours to charge the battery from a standard socket.

With a list price of £7,495, even the top-spec Twizy Technic tested here costs around half as much to buy as the cheapest ForTwo. As with Smart, Renault offers a battery hire scheme with the Twizy. Plans are tailored to individual use, but prices start from £45 a month, and Renault guarantees the amount of charge the batteries will hold.

Do the cost savings make sense when you have to compromise so heavily in other areas?

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £5,919 off RRP*Used from £13,000
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,699
Nissan Juke

Nissan Juke

RRP £18,185Avg. savings £4,364 off RRP*Used from £9,900
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,895
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025
Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU
Luca de Meo - Renault 5

Want a new small car? You probably can’t afford one and car bosses blame the EU

Renault and Stellantis bosses demand changes to the emissions rules driving up new car prices
News
15 May 2025
Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy
Best electric cars header

Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy

Thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle? Here are the EVs that should be on your shortlist, and why…
Best cars & vans
14 May 2025