Renault Mégane

El Renault Mégane It is the model compact of the French brand and one of the most important in its category. It came to the market in the mid-90s with the aim of replace to the mythical Renault 19. Its first generation was marketed in five different bodies: a coupé, a convertible with a canvas roof, another five-door, a four-door sedan and another family.

Since that launch in 1996, a total of four generations have followed one another. The last one presented undergoes a slight restyling in the middle of the commercial cycle in 2020. A restyling that no longer has so many bodies. Currently there are only two versions for sale: the traditional five-door compact and the familiar Sport Tourer. The market no longer demands three-door bodies and that is why the Renault Mégane has gotten rid of it.

In this manner the French brand keeps one of its flagship products updated. A model of so much weight for Renault that it was he who launched the current design philosophy. It is the same aesthetic concept that has subsequently been transferred to other models such as the Renault talisman, Renault Clio or Renault Captur. All of them sport a very characteristic image that now, in the case of the compact, has been updated.

Technical characteristics of the Renault Megane

The Renault Mégane uses the CMF-C/D architecture of the Nissan-Renault alliance, the same that is used in other models of the house such as the Renault Kadjar. That platform leaves us with measurements perfectly located in the C segment. The 5-door body measures 4,36 meters long, 1,81 wide and 1,45 high, while its battle is 2,67 meters. Enough space to accommodate five passengers, although on a long trip they will not be excessively comfortable.

The trunk for its part has a minimum load capacity of 384 liters (262 liters for the PHEV), and 1.247 liters of maximum capacity. A fact that leaves you in the middle of segment C. If space is what we need, we will have to use the more familiar body, the so-called Sport Tourer. Thanks to 27 extra centimeters it wins in every sense of habitability and load. Its minimum capacity is 521 liters (389 liters for the PHEV) and the maximum is 1.695 liters.

One of the technical improvements that Renault has been adding to the Mégane is the 4 CONTROL system. Thanks to the chassis you can count on a steering rear axle. At low speeds, up to 50 km/h, the rear axle turns in the opposite direction to the front axle to favor urban manoeuvres. At high speed, from 60 km/h, both axes rotate jointly to improve grip and cornering precision. It is a solution that no other compact is capable of presenting and that allows you to have better handling and better maneuverability.

Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Renault Mégane

The mechanical range of the Renault Mégane is one of the most complete on the market. The big news is the introduction of a plug-in hybrid E-TECH version. And as for the rest of the offer is made up of three gasoline engines and one diesel. As for the gearboxes, the access units are associated with a six-speed manual transmission, optionally, some units may include an EDC dual-clutch automatic transmission with six or seven gears depending on the mechanics.

By power, the range starts with the diesel version called 1.5 Blue dCi with 116 hp and 260 Nm of torque. Next, and using the four-cylinder block 1.3 TCe is the 140 horsepower Mégane. Above all the versions we find the models Megane RS and RS Trophy with a 1.798 cc four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that develops 300 horsepower and 420 Nm of torque.

The most efficient version of all is listed by version Megane E-TECH, which should not be confused with the Renault Megane E-TECH 100% electric. In this case we are talking about a PHEV with a gasoline engine. Offers a maximum combined power of 160 hp with a torque of 205 Nm. It has two electric motors and a battery with a net capacity of 7,5 kWh. Thanks to her homologates a WLTP cycle autonomy of up to 51 kilometers. For recharging, systems of up to 3,7 kW in alternating current are chosen.

Equipment of the Renault Megane

The range of equipments for the Renault Mégane it is made up of five trim levels. From smallest to largest endowment we find the versions: Equilibre, Techno, E-Tech engineered, RS and RS Trophy. The differences lie mainly in the technological, although the aesthetics are also affected, especially in the higher performance versions. In all of them, the correct quality of finishes stands out with an attractive presentation, mainly in the upper levels.

In all of them it is worth highlighting a good presentation, both in materials and in execution. Despite having a few years behind it, the Mégane shows a good interior appearance. Soft surfaces and decorative moldings bring the right touch to the mix. In terms of equipment, the standard offer is quite generous, although it is also possible to add many items from the optional catalog.

Thanks to its 2020 facelift, the Renault Mégane is modernized and uses more technology. Some of its most advanced solutions are the digital instrument panel, the Full LED headlights, R-LINK 2 system with 9,3-inch screen and connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and remote systems via the “My Renault” application. To this we can add equipment that it already had such as leather upholstery, a sunroof, a browser or a wide array of driving assistants.

The Renault Mégane in video

The Renault Mégane according to EuroNCAP

Like any vehicle for sale in Europe, safety has been tested by Euro NCAP, certifying the Renault Mégane with five safety stars in 2015. The highest certification gives the following results by sections: 88 out of 100 in protection of adult passengers, 87 out of 100 in protection of child passengers, 71 out of 100 in pedestrian vulnerability and 71 out of 100 in operation of driving assistants. These valuations are still valid in the current model as there has been no change in the structure of the vehicle.

The Renault Mégane of Km 0 and second hand

The current generation Renault Mégane hit the market in December 2016. The qualitative leap it has experienced compared to its predecessor can be seen in its interior quality, equipment possibilities, safety or technology. The depreciation of the Mégane is around 35%, a figure slightly higher than that of its closest rivals. Throughout these years, the multiple generations of the French compact have earned a well-deserved reputation for durability and good behavior.

If we take a look at alternative sales channels, we discover a wide variety of possibilities. In the used and second-hand market the cheapest units correspond to the first generation with output values ​​close to 400 euros for diesel models with more than 300 thousand kilometers. The Km 0 offer is more limited, all units corresponding to the 2020 facelift. In that case, prices start at figures close to 20.000 euros for models with a gasoline engine and base finish.

Renault Megane rivals

The Renault Mégane is in the most versatile segment of the market, that of the compact. It is one of the most demanded in the entire European territory. That confronts him with powerful and modern rivals that do not make things easy for him. The most direct rivals of the Renault Mégane are the Opel Astra, Peugeot 308, Seat Leon, Hyundai i30, Kia Ceed y Volkswagen Golf, among many others. All of them are similar rivals both in price and in dimensions. In addition, all of them have a more familiar alternative bodywork.

Highlight

• Differentiated exterior design
• Technological advances
• ride comfort

To improve

• indoor habitability
• trunk space
• Location of governor and speed limiter controls

Renault Megane prices

When it comes to setting selling prices, the Mégane works to be one of the cheapest compacts on sale. The starting price of the Renault Mégane E-TECH PHEV is 33.282 euros, without offers or promotions. Price that is associated with the Equilibre access version. The most expensive in the family is the Mégane Sport Tourer plug-in hybrid with an E-Tech Engineered finish, its price starts at 39.390 euros, without offers or promotions.

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