THE RENAULT MEGANE has been a familiar sight on our roads for over twenty years now.
But this all-new fourth generation is sharper-looking than ever. Its taut creases, low roofline and broad, sculpted shoulders give it a sleek and sporty appearance.
I tested the Renault Mégane GT Line Nav, which costs from €25,990 and is powered by an 110hp 1.5-litre dCi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission driving power to the front wheels.
The front of the new Mégane is particularly attractive with its large grille, prominent diamond badge and C-shaped lights with 3D-effect guides, which remain permanently illuminated when the engine is running.
Around the back is also lovely. The overhang is short and neat and the wide placed lights are also permanently lit and have a horizontal 3D effect. The way the lights wrap around the car’s hips helps to emphasise its width and stance.
To me, the styling is spot on. It is eye-catching, striking even – and it is nice to see cars with some flair on the road.
Inside, the cabin is not quite as bold as the exterior styling, but it has a good mix of soft and hard plastics and a nice leather steering wheel. The storage is OK – the door bins will take a two-litre bottle and there is storage in the centre armrest. There is also a little shelf for your phone with two USB ports and a 12v socket.
The seven-inch TFT infotainment system is responsive, easy to use and has good graphics – but it looks out of place sitting in between the two air vents, like it was added in and not designed with the car.
It just doesn’t gel and looks awkward and it’s a shame as it is lovely to use.
There is nice blue stitching on the doors and seats and flashes of blue on the dashboard, gear knob and centre console, but apart from that the cabin actually feels quite dark and dull as there is so much black.
This perks up a little with the ambient lighting, which offers a choice of five colour schemes. The blue scheme really adds much-needed warmth and life to the cabin.
The seats are large high-backed GT sport seats with integrated head restraints and whilst comfortable and supportive they are, for me, far too heavily bolstered. They restricted my arm movements and made getting into the seat a little ungainly – ladies wearing skirts or dresses will have some negotiating to do to get out.
The rear legroom is just OK – six-footers will feel cramped – but there is decent headroom. Two adults will fit fine across the back but three will be a squeeze, especially as the raised section in the middle is obstructive and there is not much space for feet underneath the front seats.
The 384-litre boot is slightly bigger than the Volkswagen Golf (380 litres) and Opel Astra (370 litres) but it isn’t very easy to load as there is a high lip to lift items over. With the rear seats folded the boot capacity extends to 1,247 litres (the Golf extends to 1,270 litres and the Astra to 1,210 litres).
On the road, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. The car feels capable and cornered confidently along the windy Wicklow Way, making for a fun drive – although the ride was also quite stiff. However, out on the motorway, the Mégane was comfortable and relaxing to drive.
The steering feels a bit light – but put the car into ‘Sport’ mode and it firms up the steering and adds some much-needed resistance.
The engine is decent and whilst you do have to work the gearbox a lot there is a good amount of power and grunt with 260Nm of torque available at 1,750rpm and 110hp at 4,000rpm. Plenty of power for overtaking and getting up speed.
One of the best things about this engine though is its official combined fuel economy rating of 3.7 litres/100km (76mpg) with CO2 emissions of just 96g/km with 16- and 17-inch wheels, which is tax band A2, €180 per annum.
Is this the right car for you?
If you are looking for a car with bold styling, decent boot space, a fun drive on the back roads and a comfortable ride on the motorways, then the Renault Mégane could be the car for you. The range starts from a competitive €19,490.
If you want a family hatchback that is a better drive with a cracking chassis and roomier too then check out the Opel Astra, priced from €20,750.
If you are looking for a great all-rounder and bestseller with quality interior and enjoyable drive, then you’ve got to consider the evergreen Volkswagen Golf, priced from €21,715rrp for the five-door version.
Looking for a five-door hatchback with a large boot, comfortable ride and great entry price? Check out the new Fiat Tipo priced from €17,995.
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