Can’t wait for the new Renault Twingo? 7 cheap and cheerful EVs to consider instead

Renault is in a nostalgic mood. The new Renault 4 references the utilitarian hatch from the ’60s, while the 5 reboots the hatchback of the same name from the ’70s and ’80s. This time, Renault is going all misty-eyed about the 1990s with the new Renault Twingo.

The original Twingo is one of those cars that just make you smile. The cute round headlights made the car look like a puppy begging to play fetch. While Renault has produced more modern generations of the Twingo since, none has matched the pet-like appeal of the original.

Until now. The new Renault Twingo will be on sale in early 2026 with electric power and a price tag of under £20,000. Our news editor, Jamie, has been to Paris for a preview of the Twingo and it’s fair to say he was smitten.
Will you feel the same way? Maybe, but before you decide take a look at these cool small EVs.

Citroen e-C3

Francophiles have a choice of small and cute electric cars, with the Citroen e-C3 setting a high benchmark for the new Twingo. Like the Renault, the Citroen has a starting price of under £20,000.

Your money buys a fun and appealing hatchback with a comfortable ride and nippy performance. The e-C3 doesn’t have a long range, although whether that’s an issue really depends on how you expect to use it.

Dacia Spring

The new Twingo will be keenly priced, but it won’t be as cheap as a Dacia Spring. This is one of the cheapest electric cars you can buy, starting from £14,995. It looks cool, too, with rugged shrunken-SUV styling.

Space is tight inside the Spring, but then the tiny Dacia will fit in the smallest of parking spaces. The range is short and charging times are slow, so it’s better suited to urban driving rather than long journeys. That may not put off city-dwellers, but the one-star Euro NCAP safety rating might.

Leapmotor T03

The Leapmotor T03 vies with the Dacia Spring for the title of cheapest new EV. Go by the list price and the Dacia is cheaper, but Leapmotor offers a ‘Leap Grant’ which knocks £1,500 off the T03’s list price.

While some small EVs like the Twingo tempt buyers with cute looks, the T03 is oddly proportioned. Get past the awkward styling and the Leapmotor offers impressive passenger space and equipment for a budget car. The boot is tiny, though, and the touchscreen is irritating to use.

Mini Cooper Electric

Good looks? Tick. Fun to drive? Tick. As cheap as a Twingo? No. But if you can spend more, the Mini Cooper Electric does things that the Twingo doesn’t.

The Mini offers quicker acceleration – it’s more of a warm-hatch than a city runabout. The cabin looks cool and the range isn’t too bad by small EV standards. On the other hand, spending extra on the Mini doesn’t buy a big upgrade in space or practicality.

Renault 5

This isn’t a mistake. Anyone thinking of buying the new Renault Twingo should think about the Renault 5 as well. The Twingo will cost less than £20,000, but if you buy through Carwow the 5 is only around £21,000.

Your money buys a bigger, more grown-up car with a longer range. It’s better suited to all-round driving than the city-focused Twingo. The 5 is fun to drive and looks great, too.

Hyundai Inster

Not every small EV offsets its modern tech with retro styling. The Hyundai Inster is cute but the styling is more forward-looking than the Renault’s.

All versions except for the base model have a clever sliding back seat which makes the Inster much roomier for passengers than most alternatives. On the other hand, the brakes are grabby and some of the plastics look a bit cheap. You may forgive these foibles when you see the huge discounts available through Carwow.

MG4

Bigger and more practical than a Renault Twingo, on paper the MG4 isn’t the most obvious alternative to the little Renault. There are some colossal savings available on a brand new MG4, though, knocking more than £10,000 on the list price at the time of writing.

Unless you really want a small car for the ease of parking, it’s very hard to argue against the MG4 with such a big discount. It looks good, it’s fun to drive and has much more all-round ability than most of the obvious alternatives to the Twingo.

Car change? Carwow!

Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.

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