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The Renault Twingo goes head-to-head with the Hyundai i10, the Peugeot 108 and the Volkswagen Up, so far receiving a number of positive reviews from the UK's motoring press.

Critics love the Twingo's spaciousness, with ample room for luggage and lots of head room in the back. There's no space for a spare wheel, however, but the rear seats can be split and folded down for carrying larger items.

Comfort levels are considered fair to good, with a slightly bumpier, noisier ride experience when the car is taken out of the city – the environment for which it has been designed.

The Twingo has been praised for its sharp turning ability, made possible by the engine being situated in the rear of the vehicle.

Good visibility and steering make it a pleasant car to drive, according to many reviews.

The car is available with two engines, a lower cost 1.0 litre with no turbo and a turbocharged 900cc unit.

As far as reliability goes, the Renault brand has never done too well in driver surveys, but buyers can take some solace from the four year warranty and car breakdown provision.

Fuel economy, one of the most important aspects of any car in this segment, is 60mpg, which in real life is likely to be around 40mpg – still a great figure.

Prices for the Twingo start at £9,495, but given the basic spec of the entry level version, splashing a little extra on an upgrade might be attractive to some. The price tag is a little higher than those of its rivals, but the rear-engine layout does offer a lot of space and makes parking a cinch.