Twingo reaches the Car of the Year 2027 final: an electric city car at the heart of Renault’s strategy

A finalist spot that extends an impressive run 

Only seven cars remain in the running. After testing 43 models, the 65 members of the European COTY jury have selected Renault Twingo E-Tech electric as one of the seven finalists for the 2027 award. Its rivals are BMW iX3, Cupra Raval, Hyundai Ioniq 3, Kia EV2, Volkswagen ID.Polo and Volvo EX60. The winner will be announced on January 8 at the Brussels Motor Show. 

For Renault, this selection marks an impressive run of consistency. Mégane E-Tech electric in 2022, Austral full hybrid E-Tech in 2023, Scénic E-Tech electric in 2024, Renault 5 E-Tech electric in 2025, Renault 4 E-Tech electric in 2026 and now Twingo: for six consecutive years, a Renault model has reached the Car of the Year final, with Scénic winning in 2024 and Renault 5 and Alpine A290 taking the title in 2025. 

With Twingo, this latest COTY final appearance also reflects the state of the European automotive industry today. The model marks Renault’s return to one of the market’s most challenging segments: A-segment city cars, which many manufacturers have gradually moved away from. Renault has chosen to make a comeback with an ambitious proposition: an all-electric car priced below €20,000 before incentives, developed in less than two years and combining affordability, design, practicality and features tailored to the expectations of European customers. 

Early results support this approach. Nearly 26,000 units have been sold in Europe since the model’s launch in April, and Twingo had already become the best-selling A-segment electric passenger car in Europe in the third quarter of 2026. 

Twingo’s commercial momentum reflects one of Renault’s key priorities: making electric mobility more accessible across Europe with a car designed around everyday needs. 

A focus on getting the balance right 

The first few months on the market are already providing insights into customer habits. Across a sample of 12,000 Twingo vehicles on the road, drivers cover an average of 26 kilometres a day. Motorway driving accounts for just 4% of the distance travelled, while 82% of charging takes place at home, using AC power. On average, customers charge their cars 1.6 times a week. 

These figures shed light on the choices made during the model’s development. With a range of up to 263 kilometres under the WLTP cycle, Twingo has been designed around its users’ everyday needs. Interior flexibility is another of its strengths: the two rear seats slide independently by 17 centimetres, allowing occupants to adjust the space available for passengers and luggage. 

Technology is also part of the equation. The Techno trim level features OpenR Link with Google built-in, a first for the A-segment, bringing equipment and services usually found in higher segments to an affordable electric city car. 

Twingo strikes a balance between affordability, smart engineering choices and personality. 

Two years to transform the way cars are developed 

With Twingo, Renault is evolving the way it designs and develops cars. The model was developed in less than two years, an exceptionally short timeframe for the automotive industry. To achieve this, Renault brought together engineering teams in Europe and China, with the aim of combining speed of development, competitiveness, quality standards and customer value. 

Twingo is therefore paving the way for a broader transformation. Under its futuREady strategic plan, Renault Group is now targeting average development cycles of two years for its new vehicles. Assembly in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, also makes the model part of the Group’s European industrial footprint. 

Twingo brings together several of Renault’s strategic priorities: making electric mobility more accessible, strengthening its presence in the A-segment and accelerating the development of new models while maintaining competitive production in Europe. Its selection as one of the seven finalists for the 2027 Car of the Year award provides further recognition of these choices. 

The jury’s verdict will be announced on January 8 at the Brussels Motor Show. On the European market, Twingo has already found its place.