GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - Renault - Megane - 5-dr hatch range

First drive: Megane goes mainstream

Renault renaissance: Redesigned Megane hatch comes with mainstream pricing and styling.

Renault goes for Golf as small French hatch finally arrives Down Under

28 Oct 2010

WITH manufacturer’s recommended retail prices from $22,990 and a driveaway price of $25,990 for the entry-level Dynamique manual, Renault Australia has repositioned its mainstream Megane five-door hatchback to make it far more competitive.

More conservative styling, much improved quality, higher standard equipment levels and a less complex model line-up are all part of the strategy to get the Megane onto many more shopping lists.

If the ‘look at me’ nature of its predecessor’s design put many prospective buyers off, then this much more conventional (even bland) appearance might constitute a good starting point. The interior is somewhat bolder (albeit not confrontingly so) and the quality of materials used throughout is impressive, especially for this price range.

Space is luxury (as airline travel always reminds us) and the Megane scores well. Children confined to the rear will feel less confined than in many cars in the class.

The term ‘entry-level’ is a misnomer in the case of any Megane. Even the Dynamique graduates with honours in acronymology, packing ESP, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, six airbags and the Renault System for Restraint and Protection which takes into account both impact force and the build of occupants. The front of the car was also designed to reduce the risk of injury to pedestrians in the event of impact.

35 center imageAutomatic headlights and wipers, cruise control with speed-limiter, foglights, Renault’s Smart Card, height and lumbar adjustments for the driver’s seat, air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, four-speaker audio with two tweeters, CD/MP3, steering wheel controls and 16-inch alloys are all standard. The cloth trim is of good quality. In short, there is no sense of corners having been cut to bring the Dynamique to market at $22,990.

The Privilege adds an electric glass sunroof, rear parking sensors, smart black leather trim, similar seat adjustability for the front passenger, a leather-bound wheel and gearknob, dual-zone climate-control, neatly integrated satnav, 3D sound, a rear centre console with cup-holders and vents, heated folding mirrors and 17-inch alloys. That’s a high level of specification for a $29,990 European car.

Optional equipment for the Dynamique model is limited to metallic paint and Integrated Satellite Navigation, while the Privilege offers bi-Xenon headlights and metallic paint.

This reflects Renault Australia’s determination, under new boss Justin Hocevar, to simplify the model lineup and to bring each variant to market keenly priced and very well specced. But it would be nice to find the leather wheel and knob in the Dynamique as further gestures of Renault goodwill towards the market it wishes to woo.

Notably clear instrumentation with a large digital speedometer earn high marks in this era when adherence to the speed limit is deemed critical.

The steering wheel is adjustable for both rake and reach. The relationship between seat, wheel and pedals will suit most drivers. All-round vision is excellent. This is a major safety element compromised by some manufacturers.

Spaciousness is a theme of the latest Renault range from the Megane through to the forthcoming Latitude sedan (see separate story). The expected 60/40-split folding rear seat gives access to a generous (360-litre) boot, which happens to be exactly six times the capacity of the fuel tank. Deep door pockets capable of holding an A4 diary and copious notes for GoAuto were much appreciated. They are big enough to hold a one-litre drink bottle.

Space for rear passengers is generous. There are three lap-sash belts, each of which could be worn by an adult over quite reasonable distances without discomfort.

The Megane boasts strong environmental credentials. Some 22kg of its plastics – almost 12 per cent – are sourced from recycled material and at the end of its useful life 95 per cent of its weight will, in turn, be recyclable.

In summary, this more conservative but more competent Megane is more directly competitive than its predecessor and, assuming Renault Australia’s new big plans are put into effect, should achieve the projected sales volume of 1000 units in 2011, with at least 60 per cent of these expected to go to the Privilege variant.

2010 Renault Meganehatchpricing:
Dynamique 2.0$22,990
Privilege 2.0 (CVT)$29,990

Quick tests

Read more

GoAuto can help you buy a new Megane

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

Renault models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here