Proving there’s still room for estate cars

Renault’s good-looking load lugger makes a strong stand in the face of the SUV onslaught, writes Alan Candy

As estate cars find it increasingly tough in the face-off with all conquering SUVs, it helps to be in the front row when the good looks are handed out.

Estate cars are having to work a bit harder now to gain the attention of crossover-smitten drivers, so at least the all-new Renault Megane Sport Tourer has a good start – it’s arguably the brand’s most glamorous model.

The long, elegant Dynamique estate I tested with its steeply sloping roof and harmonious profile has undeniable strong road presence.

Even the hands-free keycard is a thing of beauty – a white palm pad about the size of a small bar of soap and just as slippery. Much as I admired it, I was always afraid it would slide out of my pocket.

The dCi model is also a tempting choice for the business user, powered by a sophisticated 1,500cc diesel engine with sub-100 g/km CO2 figures (96g/km) and boasting a healthy combined figure of 76.4mpg.

This diesel is so quiet running (even on tickover) that it could easily be mistaken for a petrol unit.

But lack of real zip makes you question the Sport tag. Yes, overall performance improves in sports driving mode (pick from Comfort, Sports, Eco, Neutral or Personal) but a 0-62mph time of 11.3 seconds doesn’t set the pulse racing. Indeed, you have to employ a pretty heavy right foot to keep the car on the boil and pull out the performance.

Nevertheless the Megane picks up better in mid range and cruises sweetly.

Despite its length, the Tourer is always easy to manoeuvre and park, thanks to the rear view camera and a virtual reality ‘bird’s eye view’.

In terms of comfort the elegant Tourer excels, with typical Renault seat luxury and slightly soft suspension but it disappoints as a driver’s car, with rather numb steering feel.

In terms of build quality inside and out, the Megane quietly impresses, with chunky doors which close with a convincing thud and plenty of soft-touch, tactile interior surfaces.

All speeds are marked individually on the speedo, which is a sensible move, and an 8.7-inch portrait touchscreen looks as familiar as a smartphone. However the set-up is unnecessarily over complicated, with two-touch operation for almost every function and far from intuitive.

You can get there eventually, but have to go around the houses to do so. The whole shebang suffers from dashboard reflection on the front windscreen in bright light, too, which doesn’t help.

At the working rear end, the now lower and wider Megane Tourer has plenty of useful and attainable space. A low, bumper-level floor makes for easy loading and unloading, there are handy tie-down hooks at the extremities and an almost level surface is gained when rear seats are dropped.

With its comfort, convenience, glamour, eco ethos and excellent fuel consumption, the Megane Sport Tourer ticks many useful boxes.