Renault Wind Dynamique 1.6 VVT 133 2dr Car Review - February 2012

The handling for the Wind is very good, with the steering being sharp and accurate even with the top down, and although the steering is a little numb it will still do everything that is expected of it. The ride isn’t as hard as many other convertibles in this category, meaning that it is quite comfortable for a longer drive, but only having five gears means it can get noisy when driving on the motorway. The driving position is comfortable and adjustable, but rear visibility is a big drawback meaning you will be making full use of the wing mirrors.

The 1.6 litre engine is more powerful than the smaller 1.2 on offer, and can deliver acceleration from 0-62mph in a brisk 9.2 seconds, and can also boast a top speed of 125mph. You won’t need to drive that quickly to have fun in this car though, as the Wind is a very nice car to drive.

The Wind is one of the most distinctive cars on the road, with the short front end being well styled with a large air intake at the front, and foglights and headlight clusters that look to be blurred into the sleek shape. The high back end curves beautifully into the tail, which is pert and well formed, with a distinctive tail light cluster that looks like that of a Prius. The alloy wheels are also included as standard in the Renault Wind.

In terms of the level of equipment included with the Wind, both seats are sporty giving a little extra support, and there is also a trip computer and temperature display which will help people decide whether putting the top down is a good idea. There is also air conditioning and a CD stereo included with the car.

Practicality seems to have been one of the last things on the mind of the designers who came up with the Renault Wind, as it only has two seats for a start. The boot space is larger than the Mazda MX-5 convertible’s, but is still fairly limited in terms of the amount of luggage it can carry.

Renault have been developing a reputation for reliable cars over recent years, and there is no reason to think that the Wind will be any different. Although the Wind hasn’t been subjected to the Euro NCAP safety tests, it is supplied with driver and passenger airbags along with side airbags to protect the occupants of the car. There are also a number of driver aids to help ensure the car stays on the road even in bad driving conditions.

The list price for this version of the Renault Wind is £17,300, and although it is quite reasonable compared to many convertibles, this is still fairly expensive compared to some medium sized hatchbacks for example. If you can put up with the jokes about the car’s name, then the Wind is one of the most competitively priced convertibles around.

The fuel efficiency for the car is quite good for a convertible, able to deliver an average 40.9mpg, but those who are particularly concerned about the efficiency may want to consider the smaller 1.2 litre engine. In terms of the insurance group the Wind is quite high, meaning that premiums are likely to be fairly expensive, and resale values can vary depending on the time of year that you are selling the car. The Renault Wind is supplied with a three year warranty, which is fairly competitive when compared to its rivals.