Overall rating:

New look outside but much the same inside, Renault's Twingo is a more desirable city car choice, but it faces some tough competition in the segment.

Key Facts

Pricing: £10,350
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Body style: three-door hatchback
Rivals: Citroen C1, Kia Picanto, Fiat Panda
CO₂ emissions: 119g/km
Combined economy: 55.4mpg
Top speed: 105mph
0-62mph: 12.3 seconds
Power: 75bhp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 79lb.ft at 4,250rpm

In the Metal:

More than a minor headlamps and taillights refresh, the 2012 Renault Twingo gets a bold new look front and rear. The lights have been redesigned and the reshaped headlamps joined by large circular lights either side of a new lower grille. There's a new black feature line linking the headlamps and framing the large Renault badge too. The rear lights and boot lid have been reshaped to create a sharper look as well. The Twingo's bold new looks are a marked departure from the rather flat non-descript style of its predecessor.

Inside, the changes aren't so marked. It's neatly styled and simple, but there's some evidence of cost cutting with hard, shiny plastics that lack the quality look and feel of some rivals' offerings.

Driving it:

Given the extensive external revisions it's surprising that there are no changes beneath that smart new exterior. So the Twingo drives exactly the same as its predecessor, retaining the enjoyable driving character it has always had. The suspension juggles a fine ride with decent control, the Twingo coping with our mangled streets with ease. The 1.2-litre engine delivers just enough go around town but needs working hard out of it - to the detriment of refinement. What it lacks in pace it makes up for in economy, the 55.4mpg official combined figure, while emissions of 119g/km are competitive in the city car sector.

The gearshift is light and easy and the steering decently weighted - though lacking in any real feel.

What you get for your Money:

The equipment list is fairly lengthy given that the Twingo is a budget car. Dynamique trim has air conditioning and alloy wheels, tinted windows, Bluetooth telephone connection and electrically adjusted wing mirrors.

Worth Noting

In addition to the above kit the Dynamique features cruise control, which is rather at odds with the Twingo's city car status. The two rear seats also slide independently to liberate some more boot space or improve legroom.

Summary

A thorough visual revision sharpens the Twingo's looks, though Renault stopped short of making mechanical revisions. That's fine, as the Twingo has always driven well, but it's a shame some more time wasn't spent on increasing the interior quality - which falls behind cars like Kia's Picanto for fit and finish and the feel and look of materials used.