1st RENAULT MEGANE
With its upmarket feel and focus on comfort, latest Renault pushes ahead in this class
THE latest Mégane has experienced mixed road test fortunes since making its UK debut earlier this year, but in 1.5-litre dci form tested here, it’s a class act. Blending sharp looks, strong refinement, exceptional comfort and a premium interior, the Mégane is further confirmation of Renault’s ambitions to push upmarket.
All versions boast handsome proportions, while alloy wheels and distinctive LED running lights are standard across the range. The car in our pictures is a Dynamique S, which is visually identical to our Signature Nav test model, apart from the latter’s larger 18-inch alloys.
Inside, the Mégane feels even more upmarket than the Mazda. Its dashboard looks slick and is dominated by a large, portrait-style infotainment screen and attractive, configurable TFT dials. Material quality is good, while the ambient strip lighting enhances the upmarket cabin at night. There’s also plenty of kit, with sat-nav, leather seat trim and LED headlamps all featuring.
Under the skin, the Renault’s suspension is a little less sophisticated than the Mazda’s, featuring struts at the front and a torsion beam rear axle. However, the Renault’s similarly sized 108bhp 1.5 dci diesel has 3bhp power advantage, which meant it was six tenths faster from 0-60mph, with a time of 10.9 seconds. There was little to separate the two during our in-gear tests, and in the real world both cars feel brisk rather than quick. On the plus side, the dci unit is refined, but the sixspeed manual box isn’t as slick as the Mazda’s.
The Renault’s relaxed approach extends to its chassis, which sets the standard for ride comfort, soaking up bumps and ridges that cause the 3 to fidget. It’s also quieter at a cruise, with wind and road noise being particularly well suppressed.
The trade-off for this refinement is less involving handling than the Mazda. The steering is well weighted and direct, plus there’s plenty of grip, but it can’t rival the sharp and engaging 3 for driver involvement.
For many family buyers, practicality will be more important than back road poise – and this allows the Mégane to claw back some points. Occupants in the back get a little more head and legroom, while the larger side windows mean it feels airier than the Mazda. There’s also more luggage space, with the 434-litre boot boasting an extra 70 litres of capacity. The interior is packed with useful storage as well, including large door bins, a deep cubbyhole ahead of the gearlever and a lidded box between the front seats.