The first drive of the Renault Twingo E-Tech Electric left me thinking, "I want one." From driving performance to ride comfort and pricing, there were no significant drawbacks for a potential first car.
On October 12, I took a test drive covering a total distance of 22.9 km in the outskirts of Paris. Half of the time was spent in the driver's seat, while the other half was in the passenger seat. The route consisted mainly of roundabouts and regular roads.
The Twingo, though compact, caught the eye with its unique design. It measures 3.79 meters in length and has a wheelbase of 2.49 meters. Its rounded front, reminiscent of a frog, features arch-shaped full LED daytime running lights, crescent-shaped LED rear lamps, and smooth curves that make a strong impression.
One side of the hood retains the design of the original Twingo's air intake, adding a unique charm. While it once served to draw in air for the internal combustion engine, it now serves as a design element for the electric vehicle, functioning as a washer fluid refill opening.
As I took the wheel, I noticed the digital instrument panel in front of the steering wheel displayed current speed and road speed limits in real-time, making it easy to check information while driving. The central display's navigation menu was straightforward, allowing intuitive use even for first-time users.
Notably, there were only three buttons below the display for controlling the climate functions, making adjustments easy while driving. However, all seats had to be manually adjusted for position and height, which was somewhat inconvenient before starting.
On the road, I was pleasantly surprised by the smoother ride than expected. Given its A-segment classification, I anticipated a harsher ride, but it absorbed minor vibrations well. While there was some impact when going over bumps, the body did not sway excessively. Overall, the ride quality exceeded expectations.
The Twingo E-Tech Electric can travel up to 263 km on a full charge. While it has limitations for long-distance driving, it is intentionally designed for urban and suburban travel, applying a 'right-sizing' strategy to reduce battery capacity and range. This approach also makes it more accessible, starting at a price of €19,490 (approximately $29,310).
Sitting in the passenger seat, the first thing that caught my eye was the word 'twingo' on the dashboard. The dashboard, covered in the exterior color, featured the Twingo's unique font, creating a lively atmosphere. Although made of hard plastic, the vibrant colors and unique design minimized any negative impressions of the material. Instead of wrapping it in premium materials, the design and color took center stage.
Additionally, the surprisingly spacious cargo area was another attractive feature. Folding down the rear seats increases the capacity to a maximum of 1010 liters. While it may not be suitable for camping, it is more than adequate for everyday hauling needs.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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