Renault Megane review
Stylish and sporty, the Renault Megane has excellent build quality and a well designed interior which makes it a comfortable space for both driver and passengers.
Pros
- Sharp styling
- High-quality interior and equipment
- Comfortable and quiet on the move
Cons
- It's not quite as spacious as some rivals
- Limited engine choice
- Not huge fun to drive
Summary
“It’s a smart and desirable hatchback with a comfortable, luxurious interior and efficient engines.”
The Megane is good to drive and all models are well equipped with touchscreen infotainment and air con. It stands out with its typically French style and comfort. It features an interior that almost matches premium models for quality and ambience.
There are essentially just three engines to choose from; two petrol and one diesel. All are reasonably energetic, quiet and economical. It has soft suspension which gives a smooth, enjoyable ride. It makes for a good all-round hatchback and there’s also a Sport Tourer estate that brings extra space.
What's the interior like?
“Good quality materials and a slick design give an upmarket feel, while the tablet-style infotainment is desirable.”
Renault has given the Megane a luxury feel with good quality materials, supportive seats and, on higher specification versions, ambient cabin lighting.
The standard infotainment R-LINK touchscreen features a clear seven-inch screen, while an optional 8.7-inch set-up has a distinctive portrait style layout. It’s easy to use and the newest models feature Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
There’s plenty of head and legroom in the back and two adults or teenagers will happily travel for miles in comfort there. The Renault’s 384 litre boot will hold three medium-sized suitcases. You can also fold the back seats to extend the space to an impressive 1,247 litres. Although, the load lip is quite high which can make it harder to lift heavy luggage over it and into the boot. The Sport Tourer version of the Megane offers 521 litres of load space rising to 1,504 litres with the rear seats folded down.
What's it like to drive?
“The Megane has prioritised comfort, which makes it a great choice for long journeys.”
Its soft suspension and good sound insulation means the Megane is relaxing and calm on the move, particularly on long journeys. It has accurate steering and a strong grip which allows the Megane to cope well when going around corners.
Other engine choices include a 1.5-litre diesel and a 1.3-litre petrol that replaced a 1.2-litre in 2018. The diesels are smooth, but unless you do a high annual mileage (more than 12,000) the lively petrol is a better bet. Both come with a choice of six-speed manual or six-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox.
Is it cost-efficient to buy and run?
“Depreciation on the Megane means that used prices are attractive and all cars are affordable to run.”
When new, the Renault was pricey, but relatively steep depreciation makes it an affordable used choice now.
All engines are efficient while the diesel versions are more efficient than the petrols.
Servicing packs make maintenance costs reasonable, as do long service intervals of 18,000 miles. Insurance costs are competitive, with the Play and Iconic models attracting the lowest premiums.
How reliable and safe is it?
“Renault’s reputation for quality and reliability isn’t great but it has improved, while safety is first-rate.”
The Megane has proved to be a stronger performer in reliability surveys and while it does lag behind rivals, quality improvements have been noticed by owners.
When it was launched in 2016, the Megane attracted a five star Euro NCAP crash test rating, with all models including six airbags and electronic stability control. GT Line models added lane departure warning and traffic sign recognition, while autonomous emergency braking came as part of the adaptive cruise control option.
Which one is best for you?
Best for economy - Iconic 1.5 dCi
Best for families - Sport Tourer Iconic 1.3 TCe
Best for fun - GT-Line 1.3 TCe
Early versions of the Megane were called Expression, Dynamique, Dynamique S and GT-Line. In 2018, the GT-Line was retained and the others were replaced by Play and Iconic. All are well equipped, but Dynamique and Iconic are great choices and feature loads of equipment, including keyless entry and sat nav. Look out for models with the optional LED headlamps.
The 1.2-litre and 1.3-litre petrol engines offer the best combination of performance and economy. In fact, you’d have to do a really high mileage to offset the extra cost of the diesel.
