2018 Renault Megane range review
- Megane GT is a sweet hot hatch
- Stylish design
- Benchmark European warranty
- Cabin feels cheap in lower-grade models
- Base versions miss out on safety systems as standard
- Dual-clutch transmission isn't the best in the business
What is it?
It’s Renault’s compact car family that spreads across a range of mainstream hatchback, sedan and wagon models and tops out with the upcoming Renault Sport hot hatch.
How many models can I choose from?
There’s four hatchbacks, three wagons and two sedans to choose from.
The five-door hatch has the most accessible entry price, starting at $22,990 (driveaway) for the basic Life variant and progressing through the Zen, GT-Line and GT trim levels.
The wagon is offered only in the top three model grades and comes with a $1500 premium over the hatch, while the sedan is available as a Zen (costing $1000 more than the equivalent hatch) and a unique Intens.
Even in base trim, the Megane Life, which is powered by a 1.2-litre turbo charged four cylinder that produces 97kW and 205Nm, has a 7.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system with Bluetooth, smartphone mirroring and a rear-view camera, keyless entry and push button start and comes with cloth trim and rides on 16-inch steel wheels.
Stepping up to the Zen trim level brings a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic as standard plus alloy wheels, front parking sensors and sat nav, while the GT-Line adds sportier styling treatments to the exterior, semi-automated parking assistance, automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, sports front seats with heating and Alcantara trim, a larger 8.7-inch colour touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster and bigger 17-inch alloys.
The proper GT has a bigger 1.6-litre turbo charged engine with 151kW and 280Nm, larger 18-inch alloys, sports suspension with four-wheel steering as well as RS Drive modes and launch control. It also has black and blue interior trim on the sports seats and a unique front and rear bumpers.
As for the Intens sedan, it mirrors the GT-Line specification but without the sporty elements and instead takes a more conservative, luxury-focused approach with leather trim and chrome exterior details.
What do they cost?
Hatch
Life: $22,990
Zen: $28,990
GT-Line: $34,990
GT: $40,990
Wagon
Zen: $30,490
GT-Line: $36,490
GT: $42,490
Sedan
Zen: $29,990
Intens: $35,990
*Prices include on-road costs
Any options that I need to know about?
The lower grade models can be upgraded to include the full suite of active driver aids, like active cruise control, automated emergency braking and lane departure warning, for an additional $1400.
Metallic paints also cost an extra $600, and there is a myriad of accessories to personalise the Megane, from coloured keys, more powerful speaker systems and roof racks, towing kits and more.
Is it expensive to own?
All Megane models are covered by Renault’s standard five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty with four years of roadside assistance and capped price servicing for the first three years of ownership, which is reasonably affordable at $1047 with intervals every 12 months or 30,000km.
Which is the most economical model?
That would be the entry-level Megane Hatch Life with a six-speed manual gearbox which has a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.5L/100km.
However, choosing the seven-speed automatic isn’t that much of a difference, at 5.6L/100km, and even the more powerful 1.6-litre in the GT is properly efficient at 6.0L/100km.
Which is the safest model?
As we’ve said, you have to pay more for the latest active driving systems in the Life and Zen models, but the GT-Line and GT versions come standard with all the gear. If anything, the GT’s sports suspension and four-wheel steering makes it more responsive to avoid an accident in the first place.
Which is the best model to drive?
No matter whether you choose the hatch of the wagon, the GT is a hot hatch in hiding. The engine, first of all, has plenty more pep and the combined effects of the stiffer, lower suspension, bigger tyres and four-wheel steering makes it a fun and engaging to punt along a twisty back road.
Should I buy one now?
The latest Megane has only been around for just over 18 months and the mainstream line-up has been filled out now with the sedan variants, so there’s not much activity coming up that will dictate significant discounts.
If you’re looking at the GT and wanting a bit more oomph, the Megane Renault Sport is coming later this year and should be worth waiting for.
Where's the sweet spot?
It depends on your priorities really. If you’re after a conventional urban runabout, then the Zen hatch or wagon are pretty competent machines but come with a small premium over other mainstream small cars.
For us, the GT Wagon really stands out as a great fun car to drive that is also practical, stylish and comes loaded with all the safety systems.
2018 Renault Megane Price and Specifications
Price: From $22,990 driveaway
Engine: 1.2-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 97kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 205Nm at 2000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, FWD
Fuel use: From 5.5L/100km
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