The Renault Megane E-Tech Barely Resembles the Car It Replaced, on Purpose
All three reviews open with the same context: the previous Megane was a genuinely forgettable family hatchback, and this all-electric reinvention shares almost nothing with it beyond the name.
Illustration for editorial purposes
A Nameplate Rescued by Starting Completely Over
Reusing a struggling nameplate on an entirely different car is a real gamble. Reviewers keep concluding this particular gamble paid off, precisely because the new car owes so little to what came before.
Specs at a Glance
| Body style | Electric hatchback with SUV-influenced styling |
|---|---|
| Battery | 60kWh (UK spec) |
| Power | 215bhp |
| 0–60mph | 6.9 sec |
| Claimed range | Up to 285 miles official |
| Charging | Up to 130kW DC rapid |
Full Review Summary
Autocar
Autocar detailed the dedicated CMF-EV platform shared with the Nissan Ariya, with all motor and inverter hardware mounted at the front, giving the Megane a deeper boot than rivals with rear-mounted motors. They measured the car at 1,636kg — over 100kg lighter than a comparable Cupra Born — and found 2024's updates, including a standard heat pump and larger touchscreen, addressed the car's previous shortcomings around range and infotainment meaningfully.
Top Gear
Top Gear praised a roomy, storage-rich cabin thanks to the flat floor and long wheelbase, and rated the ride as quiet and refined if not especially soft. They found the "electric GTI" marketing a bit of an overstatement given the car lacks the involvement of a genuinely sporty hatchback, though praised quick steering and lively performance for what's fundamentally a comfortable, efficient family EV rather than a hot hatch in disguise.
🎬 Watch: Renault Megane E-Tech review (same video, watch above ↗)
Honest John
Honest John rated build quality and ease of use as genuinely ahead of the VW ID.3 and Cupra Born, crediting Renault's attention to interior detail. They praised a highly usable real-world range of around 280 miles and an impressive Google-based infotainment system within a genuinely lounge-like cabin, though flagged rear seat space as an area that could be better and noted the lack of a lower-powered, cheaper option limits the range's accessibility.
Strengths
- Genuinely upmarket, well-finished cabin
- Impressive Google-based infotainment system
- Strong real-world range for the battery size
- Deeper boot than rivals with rear-mounted motors
Weak points
- "Electric GTI" marketing oversells the driving experience
- Rear seat space trails some rivals for taller passengers
- No lower-powered, more affordable version available
- Heavier depreciation predicted versus key rivals
Who It Actually Suits
Buyers who want a genuinely well-built, tech-forward electric family hatchback and don't need rear seats sized for tall adults. Worth cross-shopping directly against the Cupra Born and VW ID.3 on cabin quality specifically, where reviewers consistently rate the Megane ahead.
More Renault Reviews
Watch the Reviews
Renault Megane E-Tech review ↗ (same video, watch above ↗)