Renault Twizy (2012 – 2021) Review
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Renault Twizy (2012 – 2021) Verdict
Electrically powered with a 50 miles range. Quirky mix of a moped and small city two-seater. Ideal for city commuting. 5 year warranty from December 2019.
Doors are an optional extra. Minimal protection from the elements. Can't be parked in motorcycle bays or driven in bus lanes. Top speed of 53mph.
Find out more about the Renault Twizy (2012 – 2021)
The Twizy is a car that could only come from Renault. The French brand occasionally goes a bit loopy, giving the world cars that look more like concepts than production ready models. The Avantime and the Vel Satis are prime examples. They may be hit and miss but you could never accuse the firm of following the norm. So the Twizy is in good company.
So what exactly is it? Well it's sort of a mix between a moped, a quad bike and a small city two-seater like the Smart ForTwo. You need a full car licence to drive it, it's not classified as a motorbike but a quadracycle so you don't need a crash helmet, but it does carry two people - just about anyway - with the passenger sitting right behind the driver.
Prices start at £6,690 plus you'll want the doors which are £545. That's still affordable as a second or even third car if you live in London while the top model is £7,400 and gets the neat alloy wheels. You do have to factor in the cost of leasing the battery though. Prices vary depending on how many miles you want to cover each year and the length of the contract. But an average price is £54 which is for 6000 miles a year on a two year contract. It doesn't however qualify for the £5000 government electric car grant scheme as it's not classified as a car.
From January 2013 a new category comes in which means 16-year-olds can drive a vehicle weighing up to 350kg that's limited to 30mph. Details aren't clear at the moment but it will require a driving test including both theory and practical parts. If this is the case then Renault would no doubt work to make the Twizy 45 meet the requirements.
The Twizy may be more suited to Spanish beach resorts than UK roads and as a result the firm may only sell a handful here, but it's reassuring to know that cars like this are being built. Nothing is as innovative or matches it for sheer quirkiness and the motoring world is definitely a richer place for it.
Reviews for Renault Twizy (2012 – 2021)'s top 3 rivals
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Renault Twizy (2012 – 2021) handling and engines
As you'll have guessed it's designed for urban commuting, so rather than a petrol engine the Twizy has an electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery. This means no engine noise, no CO2 emissions, no annual road tax and no charge for going into the central London congestion charge zone. The system produces 17PS which doesn't sound much but with 57Nm of torque available from a standstill, the Twizy is actually nippy over the first 50 metres with similar performance to a 125cc scooter, so it's ideal for busy cities. There's enough get up and go once you're up to speed too.
It's also simple to drive. You turn the key, push the D button on the dash, release the handbrake and off you go. There's just one gear so you always have power available and the steering is nice and responsive so it's easy to nip round tight corners. You actually sit right on top of the battery - the single heaviest part of the car - which means a low centre of gravity and good stability. Even at its top speed of 53mph, which feels very fast in such a small vehicle, the Twizy is stable and reassuring.
The big problem can come from other road users. Some drivers don't see it as a bona fide car and will simply drive around you, even if you're at the speed limit. Others don't realise how fast it is and will simply pull out in front of you on main roads. Despite that it is still great fun to drive and every journey feels like an event. It really is unlike anything else and attracts huge amounts of attention thanks to its futuristic design.
Of course that's easy to say having driven it around Ibiza on a nice warm spring day. Whether it will still seem appealing on a wet and cold February morning in the UK is another matter. It certainly makes you hyper aware of other vehicles. Sitting in traffic with buses and trucks, you suddenly feel very vulnerable. That said, while it is open to the elements, it's not at all blustery on the move. In fact even at top speed there's only a gentle breeze.
Charging the battery is simple. There's a flap on the front of the car and inside a three metre cable with a standard three-pin plug on so you can charge it from a normal household socket. A full charge only takes three and half hours and costs around £1. And when at 100% the Twizy has an official range of around 62 miles, although in everyday driving you're looking more at 50 miles.
The one main concern for buyers will be safety and it's something Renault is keen to highlight. Like the electric motor, the main structure of the Twizy was developed by Renault Sport, with influence from F1 technology, so it's light and strong. There's a driver's airbag, seatbelts for both people and disc brakes on all four wheels.
| Engine | MPG | 0-62 | CO2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twizy | 16 mpg | - | - |
Renault Twizy (2012 – 2021) interior
- Boot space is 31–180 litres
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 2337–2338 mm |
| Width | 1191–1396 mm |
| Height | 1454–1818 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1684–1686 mm |
You have to treat the Twizy like a motorbike in some respects. It doesn't come with any doors (they are a £545 optional extra) and even with them there are no side windows, so you're always open to the elements. In wet weather, suitable clothing is essential. The gullwing doors open upwards which adds to the funky feel of the Twizy, plus it also makes getting out in tight spaces easy.
You can't 'lock' the Twizy either so it's best not to leave anything valuable on show. Although there is a lockable cubby on the dash top and a larger one behind the back seat. Inside it's best described as 'basic'. There's a steering wheel and a digital speedo with a trip computer but not much else. No heater or stereo, although a Parrot Bluetooth hands free system is available as an option and lets you stream music with speakers integrated into the roof.
Renault Twizy (2012 – 2021) models and specs
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Length | 2337–2338 mm |
| Width | 1191–1396 mm |
| Height | 1454–1818 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1684–1686 mm |
| Miscellaneous | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight | 375–474 kg |
| Boot Space | 31–180 L |
| Warranty | 3 years / 100000 miles |
| Servicing | 18000 miles |
| Spare Wheel | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | None | ||
| Costs | |
|---|---|
| List Price | £6,895–£7,795 |
| Insurance Groups | 10–11 |
| Road Tax Bands | A |
| Official MPG | 16.1 mpg |
| Euro NCAP Safety Ratings | |
|---|---|
| Adult | - |
| Child | - |
| Pedestrian | - |
| Overall | - |
Currently on sale
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| i Dynamique 6.1 kWh Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
| i Expression 6.1 kWh Auto 2dr | - | - | - |
On sale until April 2020
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Coupe Dynamique Auto Excludes battery 2dr | £7,795 | - | - |
| Coupe Expression Auto Excludes battery 2dr | £6,995 | - | - |
| Coupe Technic Auto Excludes battery 2dr | £7,595 | 16.1 mpg | - |
| Coupe Urban Auto Excludes battery 2dr | £6,895 | 16.1 mpg | - |
On sale until October 2015
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Cargo CVT Auto | £7,795 | - | - |
On sale until January 2015
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Cargo CVT Auto | £7,795 | - | - |
On sale until September 2013
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Colour Auto | £6,950 | - | - |
On sale until February 2012
| Coupe | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Version | List Price | MPG | 0-62 |
| Colour Auto | £6,950 | - | - |
| Technic Auto | £7,400 | - | - |
Model History
- May 2011: Renault Twizy unveiled
- October 2011
- April 2012
- March 2014: Renault Twizy 45 launched in France.
- July 2015
- January 0001: TWIZY TECHNICAL INFORMATION
- January 0001: kW (hp)
- January 0001: Nm
- January 0001: (miles)
- January 0001: TWIZY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
- January 0001: (band %)
- January 0001: TWIZY PRICING (On The Road)
- December 2019: 5-Year 100,000 mile factory warranty announced on all new Renaults.
May 2011
Renault Twizy unveiled
UK prices from £6,690 from March 2012. In higher specification Technic trim it will cost £7,400. The monthly battery lease cost for both versions will be £40 including VAT for a 36 month/4,500 miles per year agreement.
Twizy’s battery fully charges in just three and a half hours using a domestic electrical supply via a spiral cable stowed behind a flap at the front. Twizy’s low weight (450kg, including the 100kg battery) directly helps its operational range of 62 miles (NEDC standard cycle). In everyday use, this figure can vary depending on driving conditions.
October 2011
Pricing and specification confirmed for the third Twizy trim level, Colour. Twizy is a production reality, launching in the UK in April 2012, priced from £6,690 and monthly battery hire from £40.
The new Colour version will sit between the previously announced trim levels, Urban and Technic, priced at £6,950 on-the-road. Its pricing sees it pitched at £260 more than the entry-level Urban and £450 less than the top-of-the-range Technic.
Emphasising Twizy's fun side, Colour comes with white bodywork and a choice of Urban Blue, Ivy Green or Flame Orange panels for the roof and sides. Black bodywork is also available with orange panels for an even more striking look.
The same hues are continued through to its upholstery and glovebox and can even be specified on colour-coordinated, diamond-effect alloy wheels which cost £350. Colour-coordinated half-scissor doors will be available for £455, mirroring its affordable price positioning.
Standard equipment on Twizy includes 13-inch wheels, two gloveboxes, one of which is lockable, 3 metre long charging cable, heated tinted windscreen, Z.E. onboard computer and dashboard with econometer and battery consumption display. Safety and security have also been paramount throughout the project, as is evident from the three-point seatbelt in the front with additional lateral restraint, three-point seatbelt in the rear, front airbag and immobiliser and steering lock.
April 2012
Renault Twizy two-seater began showroom launch, priced from £6,690 OTR. Battery hire from £45 per month (based on 4,500 per miles per year/3 year contract). It is available in three trim levels: Urban, Colour and Technic. Options include scissor doors (£545) and metallic paint £195. Wide range of accessories includes child booster seat £55, driver and passenger blanket £110, 50-litre leisure bag £95 and alloy wheels £340. All prices include VAT. Lower powered (5hp) and cheaper Twizy 45 could come to the UK in January 2013, for drivers aged 16 and over, without the need for full driving licence, based on new **European AM category for mopeds and light quadricycles.
March 2014
Renault Twizy 45 launched in France.
4kW motor and limited to 45kmh, but under 'quadricycle' rules can be driven by kids from age 14.
July 2015
Renault Twizy range changes announced.
Twizy Expression replaces the former Urban version and Twizy Dynamique replaces Technic, while the Cargo remains unchanged. There have been minor changes to colours, trims and wheels.
Expression comes as standard with a driver airbag, a single-speed automatic transmission, range and eco-score indicators, regenerative braking, a battery gauge and econometer, a 31-litre lockable storage area behind the rear seat, all-round disc brakes, a drive and speed display, an engine immobiliser, 13-inch Grey Snowflake wheel trims, an adjustable front seat with built-in headrest, a quick-demist heated windscreen, a lockable steering column, four-point front and three-point rear seatbelts and a lateral wind deflector.
Dynamique supplements this with 13-inch Diamond alloy wheels in Gloss Black, Flame Orange or Urban Blue and a choice of 14 two-tone colour collections for the wheel arches, seat covers and mirror housings.
The Cargo version of Twizy dispenses with the rear seat, expanding the carrying capacity to 180 litres with a lockable storage area – sufficient for commercial applications such as urban area deliveries or for carrying equipment or tools.
January 0001
TWIZY TECHNICAL INFORMATION
|
Model |
Power January 0001kW (hp) |
Torque January 0001Nm |
NEDC range January 0001(miles) |
Real-world range (miles, Winter/Summer) |
|
Expression |
13 (17) |
57 |
60 |
45 / 50 |
|
Dynamique |
13 (17) |
57 |
60 |
45 / 50 |
|
Cargo |
13 (17) |
57 |
60 |
45 / 50 |
January 0001
TWIZY OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
|
Model |
CO2 (g/km) |
BIK January 0001(band %) |
VED (band) |
Insurance group |
|
Expression |
0 |
5% |
A |
10 |
|
Dynamique |
0 |
5% |
A |
11 |
|
Cargo |
0 |
5% |
A |
11 |
January 0001
TWIZY PRICING (On The Road)
|
Model |
Price |
|
Expression |
£6,895 |
|
Dynamique |
£7,595 |
|
Cargo |
£7,795 |
December 2019
5-Year 100,000 mile factory warranty announced on all new Renaults.
The warranty applies to all new Renault cars registered from 18th December 2019 both retail and fleet cars and features an unlimited mileage limit during the first two years and up to 100,000 miles up to 5 years old.
The new five-year warranty covers all Renault passenger vehicles, from All-New Clio supermini through to the New Koleos SUV. Also included are Renault’s all-electric Z.E. vehicles: New ZOE and Twizy.
As before, all new Renault models will be backed by a three-year roadside assistance package with a 100,000 mile limit for Z.E. vehicles and New Koleos, and a 60,000 mile limit for all other models.
For more information visit: www.renault.co.uk
