CARS OF THE WORLD

Renault Megane E-Tech 2024.

Renault’s new family hatchback is called the Megane E-Tech Electric because it is designed on an electric platform and runs purely on electricity.

There will be no gasoline engines in the lineup, understand? Yes, Renault, we understood from the first time that it was electric, it was not necessary to indicate this in the name twice.

The Megane is not the only electric car built on the new platform, as Renault shares it with other companies in its alliance.

The specific design gives the Megane E-Tech Electric some advantages.

It’s quite spacious inside and has plenty of useful storage compartments thanks to its high body, flat floor and long wheelbase.

The dashboard is even moved forward a bit, as the climate control is located under the hood.

The battery is only 110mm thick, which is enough to not lift you too high off the road. Overall you sit at about the same level as in the old Megane, and the center of gravity is 90mm lower than its predecessor.

Since this model won’t get a petrol or hybrid version, if you want a Renault of roughly the same size, look no further than the Arkana.

The new Megane offers two engine options with two batteries and even different charging speeds. This review tests the more powerful 220 hp version. and 60 kWh. The range, according to WLTP, is 450 km.

The Megane has two screens (one for media, one for digital instruments) and a row of physical buttons and switches for easier control.

Renault calls the Megane an «electric GTI», which is a bit confusing. It doesn’t really have the agility of a petrol hatch, but the 220 horsepower and quick steering are enough to handle corners well and beat traffic on the road.

And thanks to the electric transmission, the ride is quiet, although not very soft.

Thanks to its instant torque, the traction control system works perfectly even on wet roads.

But, oddly enough, it doesn’t slow down the car very well. Despite the front-wheel drive, the Megane drives straight even on very bumpy roads, without straying off course.

Damping is also excellent, so you don’t feel like you’re driving a heavy EV. Although it is actually not that heavy compared to most competitors — only 1600 kg.

Thanks to all this, turns are made accurately, with little roll and high maneuverability. The steering isn’t as exciting as the best petrol hatches, but at higher speeds it’s quite fun to drive.

The interior is quite prestigious, with a lot of soft materials, textures, stitching and other interesting design elements. Displays also add sophistication to the interior.

The new electric Megane is offered in three trim levels: Equilibre, Techno and Launch Edition.

In general, they are very similar and differ most in the size of the wheels. The basic version rides on 18-inch ones, the rest – on 20-inch ones.

However, even the entry trim gets most of the driver assistance systems, as well as LED headlights, a heat pump, heated seats and steering wheel, a rearview camera and the same two screens as the rest. The Megane Equilibre costs €41,000, which is a fairly reasonable price tag.