Review: Renault Megane E-Tech
By Motor Match • 28/07/2023
Looking for an eco-friendly, stylish and practical hatchback? You might want to take a closer look at the 2022 Renault Megane E-Tech!
What is it?
The Megane name has been a constant sight on new car lists for decades. Encompassing everything people expect from a small, practical and easy-to-run hatchback, the Megane has been a hit with buyers of all types and ages.
But how do you go about translating that into the electrified age? Well, Renault hopes to do that with the new Megane E-Tech Electric. It’s a car with futuristic looks but with the same focus on spaciousness and practicality as its predecessors. Let’s find out what it’s like.
What’s new?
Renault has really mixed things up with this new electric Megane. It’s barely recognisable from the car it replaces, with a mix of futuristic touches and a slightly crossover-inspired stance on the road ensuring that people really notice this new model.
But underneath it’s using a brand new platform designed with electric vehicles and shared with the wider Alliance group. This setup not only makes it cheaper to create, but also more spacious inside and quieter as well.
What’s under the bonnet?
This new electric Megane makes use of a single electric motor which sends 215bhp to the front wheels. At present, you can’t get the Megane with all-wheel-drive, but there’s a good chance that this could hit the scene later on. The electric motor in this instance is linked to a 60kWh battery, which brings a range of up to 280 miles. Plus, the Megane can charge at speeds of up to 130kW, which could see up to 186 miles of range added in as little as 30 minutes.
With a 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds the Megane is more than sprightly enough for most occasions, while it’ll also carry on to a top speed of 99mph.
How does it drive?
Renault has aimed to make the Megane a more lightweight proposition when compared with other similarly sized electric cars. The battery, for example, weighs in at just 395kg, which is impressively low in battery terms. This lightweight approach filters through to the way the Megane drives, as it feels nicely direct and agile from behind the wheel.
Of course, being an electric car means you get instant acceleration in the Megane, but this is backed by great steering and a generally nice ride quality which makes it feel like a proper all-rounder.
How does it look?
As we’ve mentioned, Renault has ripped up the rulebook with this new Megane, but that is something it has consistently done throughout its lifetime. You might remember the famously angular model of the early 2000s, for example, as a model which took a similarly ground-breaking approach.
This new Megane is a far larger car in person than it appears in the metal, too, but there are loads of cool features to appreciate such as the sharp LED headlights or the intricate air intakes at the front of the car that help to direct air more effectively.
What’s it like inside?
The new platform which the Megane uses has been designed specifically to offer plenty of space, which is why you get a full flat floor through the interior. It means that people sitting in the middle rear seat can still find space for their feet and that’s something which often isn’t the case in a ‘normal’ hatchback. Knee room might be a little tight for taller passengers, however.
The boot offers up a very decent 440 litres of space, too, though a high load lip can make putting heavier items in there quite tricky. However, an under-floor area means that you’ve got a dedicated space to store the car’s charging cables, which is useful.
What’s the spec like?
The Megane E-Tech Electric is offered in three specifications - Equilibre, Techno and Iconic. Equipment is great across the board, with even entry point Equilibre models offering 18-inch alloy wheels, a nine-inch multimedia system and a 12.3-inch driver display which can be tweaked to show different types of information.
Head on up to top-spec Iconic models and you’ll find 20-inch alloy wheels added alongside a handy around-view 3D camera which can make parking much easier. Most useful, however, is the heat pump which comes as standard in this grade, as this helps to boost the car’s efficiency and bring the best possible range when the temperatures fall.
Verdict
As well as being a great addition to Renault’s range of cars, the Megane E-Tech Electric is also a great option within the now-bustling electric car market. It’s got bags of style, a cleverly packaged interior and a decent amount of range too.
Throw that in alongside a smartly designed exterior and you’ve got a car which not only provides a great option for new EV buyers, but more than lives up to that famous Megane nameplate.
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