Renault Megane Hatchback (2016 - 2022) Signature Nav Energy TCe 130 5d Owner Review

Had one as a hire car in Lanzarote for a week. Fell in love with it and bought on on my return. Delighted with the car. The hire car I had was, of course, the poverty spec model, but the comfort and refinement were exceptional. I was also shocked at the economy with it costing only €12 for a full weeks' motoring around the little island. So, I had a nose online and found Motorpoint had one in stock with the same engine (the 1.2 TCe petrol turbo unit with 130bhp) and it was in my favourite colour of dark metallic blue... not the white of my hire car and in Signature Nav spec! I rang them and ordered it, collecting soon after my return from holiday. The higher spec makes a real difference to the plushness of the car, but it's almost irrelevant to me as it was the comfort, looks, performance and economy that impressed me so much, not the tech. With regard to the comfort, it's exceptional. I also own a late 90's BMW 7 series, for my sins, and this little Megane is easily the measure of it comfort-wise with the seats in the Megane being the best I've found for me (6ft tall, 13 stone). Looks-wise, I really like it. It's interesting and quirky without being bold or too assertive. Inside, and out, it's easy on the eye. As for performance, the 1.2 petrol engine really is far more than I would have expected. I alluded above to the fact I've had a 340i which was faster than any car needs to be, so I'm not blind to the fact the Megane isn't blisteringly fast... but... it does really have a very nice turn of speed when you need it! It's gutless below about 1,400 rpm (scarily so!) but above that point it's a very eager engine which never feels stressed. "Perky" is perhaps the best word. Finally, economy. The car hasn't hit anywhere near the claimed MPG so far, but I do short journeys most of the time so I wouldn't expect it to... around five journeys of two miles each per day so I'm bound to get the worst possible economy from any car. This one has averaged around 30ish for my usage which I think is more than respectable given the conditions. Longer runs do generate far, far better returns. Ok.. so, that wasn't "Finally"... this is... the radio is good, the headlights good (but a little low angled with the LED being auto-setting when on the motorway), technology all works, big screen is great but very frustrating that you have to use that for the air-con / fans etc, why they can't just make a key instead of a card is still beyond me.. Renault - sort that out - keys are the way forwards... not a bulbous card that unlocks the card from my pocket when I walk past it... Great cars. Buy one.