Mobilize Duo: Test of the 'tandem' microcar successor to the Twizy

Rome, the Eternal City. Just as eternal can be the search for a parking space if you have a long vehicle. If, on the other hand, you have a short car, then things change a lot. And if you have a short car, that's it.

That's why the international test of the Mobilize Duo was held in the capital, and in fact, it was in this intricate maze of roads, crossroads, and construction sites - if you've been to Rome recently, in the run-up to the Jubilee, you know what I mean - that I had the chance to drive what is to all intents and purposes the heir to the Renault Twizy.

After all, Mobilize is a brand born in 2021 that is part of the Renault galaxy (so the quadricycle is sold through the Lausanne dealer network). The parallels with the Twizy are therefore obvious, but since these small electric vehicles are more popular than ever these days, and since this writer is a satisfied user of a Citroen Ami, the comparison also extends to other models.

Mobilize Duo (2025): Exterior

We said it at the beginning, dimensions play a key role when it comes to microcars, or more correctly quadricycles. The Mobilize Duo is all about width, or rather narrowness: 1.30 metres. The Citroen Ami, on the other hand, is 1.39 metres wide. In terms of length, we are at 2.43 metres. Just think that the first Smart, the smallest of the generations, was 2.50 metres. In other words, you can park it anywhere and everywhere. Be careful, though, because if you find the traffic warden punishing you, he may punish you for parking crosswise.

Mobilize Duo, the exterior

Among the distinguishing marks are the 13-inch wheels at the ends of the body wrapped in mirrored bumpers between the front and rear: this is how you save on production. Incidentally, the plastic is not painted, which means that small scratches do not affect the colour. Speaking of plastics, 40 percent of the materials in the Duo are already recycled, and once it reaches the end of its life, 95 percent will be recyclable.

Mobilize Duo, the headlights are LED

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The Twizy's round headlights give way to a much more assertive and confident look. At the back, it is a good thing that there is a reversing light: on my Citroen Ami, other road users never know when and if I am reversing.

In the configuration phase, you can choose different colours for the stickers that will be applied to the various panels, helping to give the Duo a modern look.

Mobilize Duo (2025): Interior

To get on board, one presses a small circular button that unlocks the door, which must be pushed upwards. This means that even in the tightest parking spaces, there will be no problems. The cabin configuration features two seats arranged in tandem. The rear seat is built directly into the plastic panel and features a padded seat and backrest, seat belt, and two side armrests. Through webbing, you can unlock the front seat to slide it forward or backward, but you cannot recline it.

Mobilize Duo, its doors open 'elongated' like beetle wings do

I'm over six feet tall and tried to sit on it, and, all in all, it was not that uncomfortable. It is obviously a seat designed for rather short journeys, also because of the sense of claustrophobia, and so it is fairer to consider the cockpit of the Mobilize Duo as "1+1." In the Citroen Ami, you are much more comfortable and, thanks to the fact that the two seats are side-by-side, there is room behind them to put a backpack, jackets, and a few other bags. In the Duo, however, there is not.

The driver's seat in the Mobilize is large and benefits from the huge transparent surface all around, which lets in plenty of light. The movable part of the windows is hinged at the top and can be locked in order not to close while driving. The dashboard is very well made, with large buttons within easy reach. Very clever is the air vent adjustment, which you can appreciate in the video. Other goodies include the steering wheel airbag - unique in the segment -, the heated seat, and, for 1,000 euros, the possibility of having air conditioning. The Ami dreams of this. In fact, I'm the one who dreams of it.

Mobilize Duo, the dashboard

Where Citroen does best, however, is in the gloveboxes on offer. With the fact that they open vertically, there is no way to get pockets on the Duo's inner doors. There are no compartments at the top of the dashboard either, and no hooks for shopping bags either. At Mobilize, however, they suggest using the side space for two cabin trolleys.

Returning to the dashboard, there is an instrument panel that clearly shows the selected driving mode, the speedometer and the remaining battery percentage along with the range. The rest of the infotainment is delegated to your smartphone, which can be charged with a USB-C socket and through which you can also open and close the car and share it with other users.

Mobilize Duo (2025): Driving

Two power outputs are available for the Duo, and this makes all the difference in the world. In the first case, with the 45 Neo, the small electric quadricycle has a power output of 6 kW (8 bhp), a top speed of 28 mph, and can be driven from the age of 14 with an AM license. With the 80 Evo, on the other hand, which is the one I rode, the power doubles to 12 kW, or 16 bhp, and a top speed of 50 mph. In this case, you need to be at least 16 years old to drive it.

Photo by: Mobilize

It doesn't take long to get to grips with the Duo, and after just a few turns and a few accelerations it already puts a smile on your face. You immediately realise that you have in your hands a passe-partout through which you can dominate the city, including restricted traffic zones. The steering has an automotive feel, starting with the crown wheel and the grip, but you have to consider that since it has no power assistance, it has a somewhat harsh steering wheel load when stationary.

Mobilize Duo, the test of the 80 Evo

Similarly, there is no brake servo: you have to intervene firmly on the pedal, lifting the heel, and so it takes some getting used to before you can find the right modularity. Not bad suspension absorption. Let's be clear: the basic setting is pretty stiff, but knowing the dry responses of my Ami, I can say that the Duo doesn't do badly at all.

Mobilize Duo, the test from the driver's seat

Where the Citroen is better is in visibility in all directions. On the Duo, having my seat as far back as possible, I had difficulty seeing the traffic lights when I was under them. Similarly, I found that the complex structure of the doors, between the central strip and the window hinge, complicates the side view. Finally, turning around, it is not easy to perceive the bulk behind. It takes some getting used to, but still good that you can have parking sensors. Speaking of visibility, one thing to be improved is the reflection of the dashboard on the windscreen.

Mobilize Duo, the test of the 80 Evo

The Mobilize Duo claims a range of 100 miles thanks to its 10.3 kWh battery, which can be recharged at 1.8 kW with the integrated Schuko cable, the domestic one, in about five and a half hours from 10 to 95 percent. If desired, the cable can be Type 2, like the one to be used at public charging stations, and in this way recharging switches to 2 kW and drops to around 5 hours. It is, therefore, not so much the charging speed that makes the difference but rather the type of socket you have.

Mobilize Duo (2025): Prices

The price list is extremely simple. The Mobilize Duo 45 Neo costs 9,990 euros in Italy, while the Duo 80 Evo costs 12,500 euros. The latter already comes with the Bluetooth kit, heated seat, wheel covers, and orange stickers as standard.

The equipment can then be expanded with the few optional extras already mentioned: air conditioning (1,000 euros), Type 2 cable (200 euros), rear parking sensors (300 euros), heated seat (300 euros for 45Neo, standard on 80 Evo) and Grey, Green or Orange packages (the latter already standard on 80 Evo) for 450 euros.

However, in addition to the classic purchase, the Mobilize Duo can be leased. For example, with a down payment of 2,750 euros, a contract can be signed for a monthly fee of 29 euros.

Tiny but mighty:

Mobilize Duo vs Fiat Topolino vs Citroën Ami

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