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Road Test
Back with a bang

We review the Renault Megane from price to economy and all its features

RENAULT has suffered hard times in the last few years with sales dropping around the world. But the French car maker is fighting back after revitalising its range with a bold new design language that is luring customers back to the brand.

It has smash-hit models with the latest Clio supermini - currently the third best-selling car in Europe - and the Captur crossover that has shown Renault has re-discovered its styling mojo. And sales are on the rise with 2.1million cars and vans sold in 2013, including 63,319 sales here in the UK.

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Back with a bang... Renault Megane has been revamped

HOW times change. The Renault Megane was Europe's best-selling car from 2000 to 2004.

The French car maker has sold more than seven million since 1996, including more than 500,000 in the UK.

But over the last decade, it has been on a downward sales spiral, dropping from 45,030 UK sales in 2004 to just 9,093 last year.

The Megane has remained a very competent car but it has struggled against outstanding rivals like the VW Golf and Ford Focus.

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Practical...The new-look Megane has plenty of room

There are also a string of very good hatchbacks like the Vauxhall Astra, Kia Cee'd and Hyundai i30 plus the Toyota Auris and Honda Civic, all fighting for the same sales.

The family hatch is a cut-throat sector where good is no longer good enough.

It remains a strong performer and that has been the problem with the Megane. It is a good allrounder but is just not special enough.

But the face-lifted version has plenty going for it, starting with a racier front and rear makeover that bring it into line with the new Clio and the firm's new corporate look.

The Megane can certainly stand visual comparison with any of its rivals, being sportier than most in its class, especially in three-door coupé form.

And on the inside the cabin is again the equal, if not better than most of its rivals for quality.

 

 

I like the uncluttered and clean lines that give it the appeal of a premium brand, plus it is big on leg and headroom.

The Megane also scores for practicality, especially the five-door version at 405litres of space — with 33litres of handy under-floor storage for valuables or wet gear. Even the coupé has a best-in-class 337litres.

As for the driving package, again it impresses with a range of high-tech petrol and diesel engines that marry both performance and economy.

A 1.2litre petrol engine may seem a bit small for a family hatch but this is a beauty.

It is turbo-charged and has the power of a 1.6, but the real bonus is 53mpg — what you'd normally expect from a diesel.

Talking of diesel, there's a 1.5litre turbo that takes economy up to a wallet-friendly 70mpg, along with zero road tax.

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Sound performer... It might not be the sexiest car on the road, but it is very reliable

There are also 1.6litre petrol and 2litre turbo-diesel units.

Renault cars have always handled well, benefiting from input by the team's F1 experts, which is seen at its best in the Megane GT Line which gets stiffer springs and a tuned chassis. But you do pay a premium.

And if you want to drive the real McCoy, go for the Megane Renaultsport 265 — a flying hatch with real attitude and a £25,575 price tag.

The Megane still has plenty to offer. It may no longer be the flavour of the day but it remains a sound performer worth a test drive, especially with its recent makeover.

 

Key Facts

  • Price: £16,745
  • Engine: 70MPG
  • 0-60: 12.1 secs
  • CO2: 104 G/KM (zero road tax)
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