Renault is on a roll when it comes to attractive retro-modern designs. The 5 E-Tech Electric is an excellent throwback to the original model Americans know as the Le Car, while the 4 E-Tech Electric has superbly captured the spirit of the more utilitarian 4. For 2026, another fabled name returns to the portfolio with a modern twist: the Twingo.
While the Renault 4 and 5 had been axed long before their revival, the Twingo was only discontinued last year. Its successor is an entirely different car, and for the first time, it will be sold exclusively as an EV. Developed in just two years, the new entry-level electric hatchback harks back to the first-generation model sold from 1992 all the way through 2012.
From the round headlights and horizontal grille slat to the triple hood vents and red hazard-light button, it’s clear Renault took inspiration from the original Twingo. But the days when Europeans were content with two-door cars are long gone, so like the previous generation, the new EV gets rear doors. And yes, the rear windows still pop out rather than roll down, a charming nod to the preciding rear-engined model launched in 2014.
It’s a cheerful, playful design with more charisma than most cars on the road. Although significantly larger than before, it remains refreshingly small by today’s standards. The new Twingo measures 149.1 inches (3789 millimeters) long, 67.7 in (1720 mm) wide, and 58.7 in (1491 mm) tall, with a generous wheelbase spanning 98.1 in (2493 mm). Some may argue that 18-inch wheels are overkill on such a tiny hatchback, and for those people, Renault offers a standard 16-inch set.
Photo by: Renault
The interior is less nostalgic, reflecting the need for modern technology with a seven-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10-inch infotainment display. Still, Renault pays homage to the past by bringing the exterior color into the cabin, just like the first-gen Twingo did. The side trim on the front doors isn’t a separate piece but part of the bodywork, painted together with the rest of the car. This likely saves Renault money and visually connects the new car to its predecessor.
The gear selector sits behind the steering wheel, and it’s reassuring to see that some physical controls have survived. The center console accommodates three knobs for the climate settings, flanking a few buttons for the defroster and air recirculation. Both the steering wheel and door panels retain traditional buttons instead of those finicky touch-sensitive keys that can be frustrating to use.
But the real patry trick is in the back, where two individually sliding rear seats are an absolute rarity in this segment. The front passenger seat also folds flat, allowing the car to carry longer items. Despite its small footprint, the Twingo remains decently practical, offering 12.7 cubic feet (360 liters) of cargo space behind the rear seats. Fold them down, and the capacity jumps to over 35.3 cu ft (1,000 l).
Photo by: Renault
With the fourth generation, the Renault Twingo returns to its front-wheel-drive roots, using a front-mounted electric motor. With only 80 horsepower and 129 pound feet (175 Newton meters) of torque on tap, it certainly won’t set Nürburgring records, but the output is perfectly suited for city driving.
Renault claims 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 12.1 seconds, 0-31 mph (50 km/h) in 3.85 seconds, and a top speed of 81 mph (130 km/h). Weight is always a concern with EVs but the Twingo tips the scales at an impressively low 2,645 pounds (1,200 kilograms), no small feat for an EV. Granted, it doesn’t lug around a huge battery pack, not that there was room for one anyway.
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Source: Renault
The electric motor draws its necessary juice from a small 27.5-kWh LFP (lithium iron phosphate) battery, offering 263 kilometers (163 miles) of WLTP range. When charging, a 50-kW DC connection replenishes the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about half an hour. The energy goes both ways as the Twingo supports bidirectional charging via an 11-kW AC charger and an adapter for up to 3,700 watts.
Renault will make the Twingo E-Tech Electric in Slovenia and start sales early next year. Priced below €20,000 ($23,000 at current exchange rates) in Europe before incentives, the reborn Twingo will face the Volkswagen ID.1. However, the latter won’t arrive until 2027. In the meantime, it’ll do battle with the likes of the Hyundai Inster, Fiat 500e, and the BYD Dolphin Surf.
