Renault Twizy (2012-2021) Review

Most buyers would be better looking for a 'proper' electric car – something like the Renault Zoe, Smart EQ Fortwo or Volkswagen e-Up. If the novelty factor of the Renault Twizy appeals, though, and you don't need to travel very far, it could be a fun purchase. It's arguably more comfortable than the tube network – and it'll probably cost you less to run, too.

Your choice is limited. There's just one battery size, one electric motor and two trim levels. We'd probably look for one with the optional doors, while the Twizy Dynamique looks a bit smarter thanks to its alloy wheels and bold colour combinations.

If you're looking for an affordable electric vehicle, there's no shortage of very good options. You could consider a SEAT Mii Electric (alongside the very similar Volkswagen e-Up and Skoda Citigo-e iV), a Fiat 500 Electric or a Smart EQ Fortwo. All of them are a lot more usable than the Twizy, with longer ranges and much less spartan interiors.

If you're after urban mobility (and don't want to invest in a bicycle), the closest thing to a Twizy is actually a much newer alternative – the Citroen Ami. It takes a similar approach to the Twizy, with four wheels, two seats and the word 'quadricycle' on the V5. It's also a bit of a bargain, with a brand new Ami available for around the cost of a secondhand Renault Twizy.

Renault's interiors aren't exactly known for standing the test of time, but the Twizy's simplicity might be on its side when it comes to long-term durability. It's clearly been designed with weatherproofness in mind, so you'll find lots of hard, plastic surfaces and little in the way of plushness.

The seats are finished in waterproof black vinyl which is designed to prevent a soggy bottom when driving in the rain, while the only hint of swank is the carbon-effect dashboard.

You provide your own entertainment in the Renault Twizy. There's no conventional infotainment system, and if you want navigation we'd recommend investing in a phone holder and downloading Waze. At the centre of the dashboard, you'll find a simple screen showing you essential data like how fast you're going and how much battery capacity you have remaining.

If you're lucky, the Twizy's original owner will have stumped up the cash for the optional Bluetooth sound system. Don't expect to hear a great deal, though, especially above city-centre speeds.

There are just two seats in the Renault Twizy - one behind the other. Jump in the driver's seat and you'll probably find that there's more room than you'd think. Even if you're towering over six foot, you're unlikely to be bashing your head on the Twizy's roof. If you've got big feet, though, you might be in danger of mashing both pedals at the same time.

Space in the back is a bit more limited (especially if the driver shifts their seat all the way back), but it's more comfortable than riding as a pillion passenger on a motorbike.

There isn't a boot as such, just a small 31-litre storage compartment under the rear seat. This is lockable, as well as the two small gloveboxes, but something like a Fiat 500 Electric is eminently more useable.

With just 17PS on hand, the Renault Zoe is no rocketship in terms of performance. There's 57Nm of torque available, though, available instantaneously – as soon as you hit the accelerator pedal, you'll propel forwards at a rate quick enough to surprise a few Deliveroo riders (or even the Zoe's closest rival, the new Citroen Ami).

Power comes from a small 6.1kWh battery pack which can be bought with the vehicle or leased separately. As well as saving you money on the purchase price, a hired battery also includes 24/7 roadside assistance (even if you run out of charge) and, if the battery performance drops below 75% of its original capacity, it will be repaired or replaced at no cost.

While the Renault Twizy can officially travel up to 56 miles between charges, the carmaker says that 43 miles is more realistic in the real world. This will drop to 31 miles in colder weather.

That's considerably less than newer, bigger electric cars (like the Vauxhall Corsa-e), but it could be enough for city centre commuting or darting around town on errands. It'll be easier than travelling 43 miles on a pushbike, anyway.

When you're creeping along in stop-start traffic, refinement levels aren't bad at all. There's no engine noise, obviously, but there's also little protection from the outside world. That means you'll have to shout at your passenger to be heard at anything over a snail's pace, while there's quite a distinctive whine from the electric motor as you build speed.

Maximum speed is just 50mph but, to be honest, you're unlikely to want to exceed this. We wouldn't recommend using the Renault Twizy for motorway driving (there'll be lots of angry lorry drivers overtaking you) but, if you are planning to use it out of town, we'd highly recommend looking for one with the optional doors. It's still not as refined as an actual car, but they do make things a little more bearable.

When it comes to safety kit, the Renault Twizy isn't exactly up to the same standards as bigger electric vehicles like the Renault Zoe or Peugeot e-208. The list of highlights is a bit like you'd find in a brochure from a car 20 years ago – it includes things like four-point seatbelts, a driver's airbag and, er, that's about it.

Still, that's more than you'd get on a moped or pushbike. The Twizy's tubular frame is also designed to protect you from impacts, while standard-fit disc brakes should bring you to a stop pretty rapidly.

The Renault Twizy was awarded just two stars for safety when it was crash-tested by Euro NCAP in 2014.

Electric vehicles are generally very reliable and the Renault Twizy is so simple, there's little to go wrong. We've heard of very few issues with the Renault Twizy, while it's covered by the brand's five-year unlimited-mileage warranty.

With insurance groups as low as 6A, the Renault Twizy shouldn't cost a lot to insure. It'll certainly be cheaper than a Nissan Leaf or MINI Electric, but try shopping around for insurance quotes to see how it compares to a conventional small petrol car.

As the Renault Twizy is a pure-electric vehicle, there is no VED (road tax) to pay. It's also exempt from the Congestion Charge, so you could save cash with the Twizy if you live in London.

The Renault Twizy is sparsely equipped... but that's kinda the point. There are two core models (not including the Twizy Cargo van): Expression and Dynamique.

Standard equipment on the Renault Twizy Expression includes steel wheels (with grey wheel trims), a heated windscreen, driver's airbag and a range indicator with eco score. That's about it.

The Renault Twizy Dynamique builds on this with a choice of 14 colour combinations, 13-inch alloy wheels and interior floor mats. Things like doors (yes, doors...), a Bluetooth sound system and an anti-lift alarm were all offered as optional extras.