City limits

The Twingo undeniably offers something different, but finds out if it’s different enough

It doesn’t need stating that a rear-engined rear-drive set-up is an unusual one, and not just at the city car end of the market. That decision has allowed the Twingo’s designers the opportunity to push the front wheels right the corners of its stubby front end.

The big Renault badge sits proudly in the middle of the grille between a pair of delicate headlamp assemblies and below those are circular daytime running lights.

The bootlid is made of a single piece of black glass and there’s a small spoiler atop the roof helping to add some welcome attitude.

The rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillars, giving the Twingo the appearance of a two-door.

The profile is tall, but compact, and if you squint the shape harks back to the dear old Renault 5.

Colour accents adorn the doors, air vents, steering wheel and removable storage box, which sits just in front of the gear lever. While useful, I did keep knocking it with my left leg.

The seats are very comfortable, firm and supportive, while the driving position is quite high. Consequently all-round visibility is excellent and, with a turning circle to match a Black Cab, the Twingo is an ideal urban companion.

Although I found the footwell a little cramped, hence my issues with the storage box, other occupants fare much better. The rear-engined layout has freed up space in the cabin meaning that, according to Renault, occupants in the rear enjoy class-leading legroom. There’s no shortage of headroom either.

An optional smartphone cradle that, by connecting via Renault’s R&GO app, turns your mobile into a multimedia interface, giving you control over the car’s stereo.

The position of the cradle obscures some of the dashboard controls.

The instrument panel is dominated by a single huge dial. Inside that is a multifunction display.

The engine is positioned under the boot floor. That restricts capacity to 188 litres which leaves it trailing all its main rivals. However, the boot opening is big and square and there’s no lip to negotiate so it’s easy to use all the space available.

You can increase capacity to 219 litres by locking the rear seats into an upright position but passengers in the back won’t thank you for it.

Fold the rear seats down and you’re blessed with a very useable luggage capacity of 980 litres which is second only to Hyundai’s i10.

It won’t take long to figure out that the Twingo is very much a city car. Its front wheels can turn through 45 degrees, giving it a turning