Renault Twingo E-Tech: small electric car from €19,990

Driving Report Renault Twingo E-Tech: Reinterpreted With Charm

2026-04-07 From Michael Specht/SP-X | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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With the electric Twingo, Renault is once again reflecting on its past. The model has become a likeable city electric car whose charm you quickly succumb to.

With the Twingo E-Tech, Renault is now launching a purely electrically powered new edition of the Twingo small car(Image: Renault) — With the Twingo E-Tech, Renault is now launching a purely electrically powered new edition of the Twingo small car
(Image: Renault)

In recent years, no other vehicle class has fallen by the wayside as much as small cars. The reason: the EU Commission in Brussels is demanding ever stricter regulations for assistance systems and exhaust emissions, with the result that many manufacturers have thrown in the towel for cost reasons. They can no longer earn money with the minis. Today, this segment accounts for less than five percent of sales in Europe, and even less in Germany.

Comeback of the Small Car

But something is slowly happening—and it's going electric. More and more manufacturers are aiming to offer affordable e-mobility for urban areas. Price threshold: $21,800. However, VW is not planning to launch the ID 1 until 2027. Already on the market are Dacia with the Spring, Hyundai with the Inster and Leapmotor with the T03, starting at $20,400, $26,600 and $20,600 respectively. Renault has now joined the party. And this with one of the most charming and emotional candidates, the Twingo. Starting price: $21,800.

Older drivers may well remember the original Twingo from 1992: colorful, versatile and with a cute twinkle in its eye, it struck a chord with customers, especially women. Renault sold over four million units of its cute little car in the so-called one-box design.

The new Twingo should be in no way inferior to its famous predecessor. Renault even sees it as a "game changer". It is part of a very bold strategy, namely to build a small car in Europe at competitive prices. The electric Twingo with the awkward nickname "E-Tech Electric" rolls off the production line in Slovenia.

Focus on the Interior

Its design is immediately reminiscent of the original Twingo, but without being too retro. Renault already achieved this balancing act very impressively with the 4 and 5 models, and now the designers have once again managed to create an interior that is as versatile as the original. Who else in this class has individually sliding rear seats or a folding front passenger seat backrest?

The French keep it simple with the drive system. For the first time at Renault, an LFP battery (lithium iron phosphate) is installed in the floor. It has a capacity of 27.5 kWh. As the car is designed for urban use anyway, an operating radius of up to 162 miles should be suitable for everyday use. And because the Twingo will probably be charged at home more than 95 percent of the time—an 11 kW wallbox is not absolutely necessary—the DC charging capacity of 50 kW is not really a shortcoming. Even if it has to go to a fast charger, the battery is 80% full in half an hour. Unusual in this class: the V2L function (Vehicle-to-Load). This allows external 230-volt devices to be operated. So nothing stands in the way of a freshly brewed espresso during a picnic.

Well Equipped And No Cheap Touch

Propulsion in the Twingo E-Tech is provided by a 60 kW electric motor under the front hood. An initial test drive quickly shows that the car is well motorized. More power is not needed in everyday use, especially as the torque is available immediately at 100 percent, as is typical for electric vehicles.

But it's not just the driving that puts you in a good mood; you also quickly become friends with the colorful interior. Once again, Renault shows in an appealing way that subcompact cars do not have to be a rolling declaration of renunciation. The Twingo contains components that are not normally found in the dwindling A-segment. These include various assistance systems and the Open R link multimedia system with integrated Google. The avatar Reno, an AI-controlled co-pilot, is also on board. The choice of materials for the interior does not have the widespread cheap touch either, although plastic also dominates in the small French car. But when criticizing, one should always put the price in perspective.

Despite its short length (12.4 feet), the Twingo offers the same amount of space inside as the next class up—thanks to the electric platform. However, even when the rear seats are pushed all the way back (6.7 inches), it is unavoidable that they are still cramped for adults. For short distances, however, this is also possible. On the other hand, the compact dimensions make it easy to park and maneuver. City life without any stress. Equally beneficial: not only more than a dozen storage compartments and stowage compartments for small everyday items, but also an extremely important switch to the left of the steering wheel. It can be used to activate and, above all, deactivate up to five desired assistance systems simultaneously.

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Gallery

The choice of materials for the interior does not have the widespread cheap touch either, although plastic also dominates in the small French car(Image: Renault)

Visually, much of the new Twingo E-Tech is reminiscent of the 90s Twingo(Image: Renault)

With its 3.79 meter short body, the Twingo E-Tech offers a genuine small car format(Image: Renault)

Its design is immediately reminiscent of the original Twingo, but without being too retro(Image: Renault)

Gallery with 12 images

Renault Twingo E-Tech—Technical Data:

Five-door, four-seater small car;
Length: 12.4 feet, width: 5.6 feet, height: 4.9 feet,
Wheelbase: 8.2 feet,
Trunk capacity: 10.8 to 35.3 cubic feet
Drive: electric motor with 60 kW, torque: 175 Nm, front-wheel drive, battery: 27.5 kWh,
Acceleration: 0–62 mph: 12.1 s,
V_max: 81 mph,
Consumption: 21.1 kWh/100 miles, range: 163 miles (WLTP), charging power: 50 kW (DC), 11 kW (AC), charging time: DC: 10-80% in 30 minutes, AC: 10-100% in approx. 2:35 hours.
Price: from $21,800