Renault Twizy review | Auto Express (2024)

All variants feature sides that are open to the elements, but optional scissor doors and zip-on windows provide some protection, while the lockable cubbyhole designed to take a briefcase serves as the ‘boot’.

Previously, you had to pay a monthly charge to lease the battery for the Twizy, but Renault now includesthat cost in the list price - which starts from a not inconsiderable £11,995, and starts to push into city car territory, with options such as the Volkswagen up!, Peugeot 108 and Citroen C1 all within reach and offering more practicality, such as doors. But, maybe that's missing the point of the Twizy.

More off-putting to potential customers perhaps, is the increasing diversity of ‘proper’ electric cars that have become available since the Twizy was launched, offering four seats and the level of comfort that passengers expect. The Twizy doesn’t really stack up as a motorcycle or scooter rival either, because it’s far more expensive and its size means it can’t squeeze through city traffic safely like a two-wheeler.

That said, there’s undoubtedly an element of fun to be had behind the wheel of the Twizy, but you’ll need to be the type of person who enjoys making people point and stare if you’re going to dive in.

The Renault Twizy couldn’t be easier to drive: just hit the Drive button on the dash, press the throttle and you pull away in silence. The gearbox is operated via push buttons on the dash, and the handbrake is activated by a lever underneath the steering column.

As it carries most of its kerbweight low down between the wheels, the Twizy offers plenty of grip and hardly any body roll, thanks to its stiff suspension. But the firm set-up means the ride is uncomfortable, with even the smallest bumps leading to shudders through the cabin. Big bumps can send you flying out of the seat, while the whining electric drivetrain and constant buffeting mean the Twizy can very quickly become tiresome to drive.

Engines

The Twizy is powered a 17bhp electric motor that produces 57Nm of torque, ensuring nippy performance around town and a top speed of 50mph. It can be fully charged in three and a half hours from a domestic power socket and provides up to 62 miles of emission-free driving.

As the Twizy is classed as a quadricycle, it doesn’t qualify for the Government’s electric car grant, soprices start from £11,995, with the Dynamique at £12,695. You no longer have to lease the Twizy's battery, which used to cost around£49 based on a 36 month, 6,000-mile per year agreement.

However, the Twizy’s trump card is that it should be cheap to run. Renault says that its lithium-ion batteries can be recharged via a household socket for about £1. This takes three and a half hours, and should give the car a range of up to 62 miles (although, we found that 50 miles is more realistic). Plus, as it creates zero tailpipe emissions, it’s exempt from road tax and London emission zone charges. If you’re able to push the budget a bit further, the Smart ForTwo Electric Drive is a more practical propositionbeing faster, more comfortable and with a 90-mile range.

Insurance groups

The Renault Twizy falls into insurance group 11, which is surprisingly high, considering entry-level Ford Fiesta versions start from group 4. The Twizy's obvious lack of safety kit may contribute to this rating.

Depreciation

Electric cars don’t perform well at resale time as a rule, and the Twizy is no exception. Be prepared to lose a significantly larger chunk of cash than if you’d bought a city car.

Any electric car will turn heads, but not even a supercar can attract attention quite like the Renault – it looks like nothing else on the road. The scissor doors – a £545 option - provide real drama, but they’re only half the usual height and they’re the only barrier between you and the elements. In colder weather, you’ll need to wear a jacket and gloves, and you'll have to resign yourself to the fact that you might get wet when it rains. The driver sits ahead of their passenger in a tandem layout, so there's not much room in the back.

A simple display screen shows the car’s speed and battery range, while the rubber and plastics are weatherproof not plush. There are three trim levels to choose from. Entry-level Expression comes with 13-inch wheels, a heated windscreen, a lockable glovebox, an onboard computer and a three-metre-long charging cable. Dynamique trim offers different colour combinations - including Diamond Black, Snow White, Flame Orange and Lagoon Blue, along with 13-inch colour-matched alloy wheels.