The third-generation Renault Twingo is now even funkier than before – but with a name like Twingo, this is exactly how it should be.

In spirit, it echoes the much-loved original Twingo of 1993 and the Renault 5 before that, but with its new layout and more practical body style it is very much a car for 21st-century cities.

Although it’s not bad on motorways either, it’s the most fun to drive around town – and, with a great turning circle, really easy to park, which is a big issue for many drivers today. I loved the fact that despite its size, it still came with five doors, which is a must-have for me these days.

Two petrol engines are available, a turbocharged 900cc or a cheaper 1.0-litre with no turbo. It is shorter than its predecessor and boot capacity is a bit shallow at 188 litres, but the rear seat-backs can be set in a ‘cargo’ position which increases boot volume to 219 litres.

With the 50:50 split-folding rear seats lowered, boot volume increases again to 980 litres and all versions feature a folding front passenger seat as standard. With the front seat lowered, the cabin is long enough to allow a flat-pack Swedish book case or a double bass to be carried!

All versions of the new Twingo come with body-coloured bumpers, door handles and exterior door mirror shells, a rear spoiler and LED daytime running lights. Comfort and convenience are provided with electric power steering, electric front windows, a speed limiter, a height-adjustable steering wheel, a trip computer and gearchange indicator and the automatic activation of the rear screen wiper when reverse gear is selected. I drove the Dynamique model, which adds 15-inch alloy wheels, front foglamps, cruise control and a lane departure warning system.

Safety equipment includes Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, Emergency Brake Assist and four airbags as well as front and rear headrests and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System.

There are lots of ways of personalising your Twingo adding to the fun element of the car.

As with all new Renaults, the Twingo is covered by a four-year warranty which offers unlimited-mileage cover in the first two years and then two further years of protection up to 100,000 miles.

Factfile
Car:
Renault Twingo
On the road: £11,695
Top speed: 103mph
0-62mph: 10.8 seconds
Fuel: 65.7mpg (combined)
CO2 emissions: 99g/km