Renault Twingo vs Smart Forfour: Which One is Right for You?

Who Should Buy a Renault Twingo or a Smart Forfour?

Two small city cars, same price range, but very different personalities. The Renault Twingo and Smart Forfour are both compact, practical, and built for tight city streets. But which one fits your life better?

The Renault Twingo is for those who want a funky, slightly quirky urban runabout. It’s small, nimble, and has that unique rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive setup. Perfect for zipping through narrow streets and squeezing into tiny parking spots.

The Smart Forfour is, well, a four-door version of the Smart Fortwo. It shares a lot of parts with the Twingo but tries to be a bit more “grown-up.” It’s aimed at people who love the Smart brand but need an extra pair of doors for passengers or bags.

I see both of these in my shop often. The Twingo drivers? Usually young professionals, city dwellers, or older folks who want something easy to park. The Forfour? More often, young families or people who want a Smart but need a bit more practicality.

Inside Story: Practicality and Comfort

Both cars are small. No surprises there. But let’s talk about what it’s really like to live with them.

Renault Twingo: The tall design makes it easy to get in and out. The driving position is decent but feels a bit high. The rear seats? Let’s be honest, they’re for kids or short trips. The trunk is tiny (188 liters with seats up), but the rear-engine layout means there’s no front storage like in a Smart.

Smart Forfour: Slightly more refined inside, but not by much. The seats are more comfortable than the Twingo’s, and visibility is slightly better. Rear seat space is still tight, but it’s a bit more usable than in the Twingo. Cargo space is nearly identical (185 liters).

Soundproofing: Both cars have poor sound insulation. Road noise is noticeable, especially at highway speeds. If you do a lot of long-distance driving, prepare for ear fatigue.

Motors: Performance for Real People

Both cars come with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine (65-95 hp) or a turbocharged version (up to 110 hp in the Twingo GT). They’re not fast. 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes around 14 seconds in the base models. The turbo versions do it in about 10 seconds. Still not thrilling, but acceptable for city driving.

Fuel Consumption:
– Twingo: 5.0-5.5 L/100 km (47-56 mpg US)
– Forfour: 4.8-5.3 L/100 km (44-50 mpg US)

Real-World Driving: The Twingo’s rear-wheel-drive setup makes tight U-turns a dream, but it feels odd at higher speeds. The Forfour is slightly more stable on the highway. Both struggle when fully loaded or with the A/C blasting.

Bells and Whistles: Useful Tech, Not Just Gimmicks

Neither of these cars is loaded with tech, but they have the basics.

Infotainment: Both offer a simple touchscreen system. The Twingo’s system is slightly more intuitive, but both can lag. Screen glare is an issue in both models.

Safety: ABS, ESP, and basic airbags come standard. Neither car is a safety champion. The Smart Forfour scores slightly better in crash tests.

Long-Term Value

Depreciation: Both lose value quickly. A three-year-old Twingo or Forfour sells for 50-60% of its original price.

Maintenance Costs: The Twingo is cheaper to service due to Renault’s widespread parts availability. The Forfour, despite sharing many parts, carries a slight “Mercedes tax” when it comes to repairs.

Pros and Cons

Renault Twingo:
✅ Fun to drive in the city
✅ Easier to find parts and service
✅ Rear-wheel drive makes it nimble
❌ Noisy on the highway
❌ Small trunk, limited long-trip comfort
❌ Feels unstable at higher speeds

Smart Forfour:
✅ Slightly more comfortable than the Twingo
✅ More refined interior
✅ Marginally better safety ratings
❌ Still noisy at speed
❌ Higher maintenance costs
❌ Not as fun to drive as the Twingo

Maintenance – Real Talk

I’ve repaired plenty of these, and here’s what you need to know:

Common Repairs:
– Twingo: Engine overheating due to poor cooling design. Electric power steering failures.
– Forfour: Automatic gearbox issues. Expensive electronic repairs.

Basic Service Costs:
– Oil change: €100-150
– Brake pads: €150-250
– Windshield replacement: €400+

Winter driving? Both are terrible in the snow without winter tires. Rear-wheel drive on the Twingo makes it even trickier.

Europe’s Opinion

In Italy, the Twingo is far more popular. Renault has better dealer support, and people trust it more. The Forfour is rarer and appeals to niche buyers who love Smart’s branding.

The Mechanic’s Take

If you only drive in the city and love parking in impossible spaces, the Twingo is a fun little car. But it’s not great on highways.

The Smart Forfour is slightly better for longer trips, but it’s still a city car at heart. And maintaining it can be a headache.

If you must choose between the two? I’d take the Twingo – but only if you know what you’re getting into.