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WITH the exception of the hideous Austin Allegro, pretty much every car looks better in estate form.
It’s something about that long, flowing roof-line, I think.
A well penned estate car always looks more aerodynamic and better proportioned than its saloon or hatchback counterparts.
And the new Megane Sports Tourer, I think you’ll agree, is no exception.
The interior is a bit more Marmite, though. I liked it, but if conversations I overheard at the launch were any indication, opinion is definitely split.
Why? Well, it’s a riot of colour and that ain’t for everyone.
But at least you can change the colour.
Using the central touch-screen you can alter the ambient LED lighting from shocking neon purple to softer hues of blue, red, green or a more conservative neutral setting.
The same Multi-Sense touch-screen system also allows you to monkey around with the accelerator response, engine noise, steering feel and, in the dual-clutch automatic version, the behavior and response of the gearbox.
It’s not difficult to do. It can’t be – I managed it and I’m a massive idiot. The touch-screen menu is super-simple to navigate.
If you think that’s gimmicky, the fourwheel steering system on the top-spec GT versions shifts the gadgetry currency up a notch.
The new Megane is lower, wider and longer than its previous incarnations and – according to basic laws of physics – the fact it’s longer means it is more stable in a straight line and less willing to change direction.
Renault has overcome this by offering a four-wheel steering system.
You’ve seen those HGVs with rear wheels steering in an opposite direction?
It’s a similar concept here, just a little more refined. Again, the sensitivity can be tailored using Multi-Sense.
There’s no denying this system works. Despite its 2.7m wheelbase it’s eager to turn into a bend (sometimes surprisingly so) without losing any feelings of stability at higher, straight-line speeds. But is this extra complication necessary in an estate car?
I’m not so sure about that for a car that’s probably going to be lugging around a slobbering dog, shopping and slobbering kids in booster seats. “Crisp turn-in” is not usually in an estate car buyers’ vocabulary.
I am sure about the ride quality and ergonomics, though. The front seats are top-notch and there is enough adjustability in them and the steering column to make the driving position tickety-boo for most body shapes and sizes.
The suspension, even on the rangetopper’s low-profile 18in tyres, is a pretty perfect balance between ride comfort and body control. Not too crashy and without a hint of wallow.
The Sports Tourer comes in six trim levels with the option of four different engines (two diesel, two petrol) and three different gearboxes (six and seven-speed dual-clutch autos or sixspeed manual).
My advice to you, potential purchaser, would be to stick to the time honoured KISS system of selection – keep it simple, stupid. What you’re buying here is a good-looking, comfortable, roomy, family skip with a four-year warranty.
Even in range-starting Expression+ trim you get air-con, cruise control, DAB radio and Bluetooth connectivity.
I’d also suggest, bearing in mind the wind of change in attitudes to diesel, that you keep things petrolly and stick to the simpler six-speed manual gearbox rather than the fancy pants dual-clutch autos – especially if you plan to tow anything or drive on wintery roads.
You could ignore my advice – many people tend to – and splash out £27,450 on the 205bhp GT range-topper with all the knobs and whistles, plus wheels that point in different directions, but you won’t thank yourself at resale time when you’re counting the cost of depreciation.
Without doubt the lower spec, humbler Megane Sports Tourers will hold on to their money better over time, largely because they are so well-equipped.
You can read all about my pick of the range in the Fact File.