IT’S sexier. Renault’s gorgeous design language has finally reached the Megane, bringing the French brand’s long-serving family hatch up to date. It’s better inside and out, incredibly comfortable, and boasts plenty of French style. Renault is back on form.

The car is based on a new platform, which gives buyers more space on the inside. Some cars have a portrait touchscreen infotainment system, while the range-topping version gets four-wheel steering and even launch control.

It’s probably the most striking car in the sector. It attracts interest even from non-car-people, which is pretty remarkable for an ordinary hatchback. The headlights have an instantly-recognisable C-shaped LED accent, and the tail lights stretch across nearly the whole back end of the car. This makes the car immediately interesting, even from a distance, and especially at night.

Side-on is the only angle from which the Megane looks a bit conventional. Every corner is sculpted in a pleasing way. Competitors such as the Vauxhall Astra are easy on the eye, but the Megane is one of the best-looking cars on the road today. Renault lacks the gravitas of some of the German brands but is still a smart, upmarket name.

Like the three Meganes before it, this one is comfy. The ride is nice and soft, and the seats – especially in the front – are gloriously comfortable. The boot is capacious (384 litres, rising to 1,247 litres with the 60:40-splitting rear seats both folded down). This puts it in line with the class-leaders for storage.

Lots of buttons have been replaced with a touchscreen system which, perhaps unsurprisingly, is harder to use. It’s not the worst on the market but could frustrate some users who are more used to conventional controls. The Megane will be able to tow conventional caravans.

The full engine line-up hasn’t been released for the UK, but Brits can expect a range of petrol and diesel engines that do the job adequately. Driving the 1.6 diesel engine left a bit to be desired – it falls behind the Astra, which would have been unthinkable ten years ago. The GT model, which packs a bit more punch, has 202bhp but is still only in ‘warm hatch’ territory.

Handling is good, and is imperceptibly improved in the GT version with the addition of four-wheel steering. This allows the back wheels to turn a tiny angle either in the same direction or in the opposite direction to the front wheels, depending on speed. This feels good on windy roads but even better on motorways, where lane changes are noticeably smoother.

It still won’t compete with the Ford Focus, or even the Vauxhall Astra. But it handles better than the previous generation and leads the way in comfort. Add-ons for the GT include launch control, which is fun but a bit silly – if you want a proper performance model, wait for the inevitable Renaultsport version.

Starting at around £18,000, the Megane is good value. The quality of the materials used in the more upmarket versions mean that it’s an attractive option across the range, too. You’ll be disappointed if your priority is driving experience, but if you want a smooth, comfortable family wagon – and one that looks great on your drive – you can’t do much better than the new Renault Megane.

Full pricing hasn’t been released in the UK but Renault is likely to undercut competitors such as Audi and BMW – and in a lot of ways, the Megane is a superior product.

The Megane is something a little bit different. It’s what French cars used to be – comfy, easy to live with and a little bit quirky. This will appeal to families who value style in addition to substance.

This car summed up in a single word: moelleux

 

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Renault Megane GT

  • Engine: 1.6-litre turbo petrol producing 202bhp
  • Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
  • Performance: 145mph top speed, 0-62mph in 7.1 seconds
  • Economy: 47mpg Emissions: 134g/km