The Renault Megane name has been around since 1995, but the Megane E-Tech launched in 2022, the fifth model to wear the badge, is very different to the cars that came before - as it’s the first one to be sold exclusively as an electric car.
It may also be one of the best Meganes yet. Renault has plenty of EV experience thanks to getting in there early with the Zoe, but it has really pulled out the stops with the Megane E-Tech, which is one of the best cars in its class. It’s great as a new buy, but makes a lot of sense if you’re shopping for a used electric car too.
Alternatives are arriving all the time if the Megane E-Tech doesn’t quite grab you, so other models to consider include the Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born, Kia Niro EV, the great value MG4, and the now ageing but potentially very affordable Nissan Leaf.
It’s very easy to make a case for buying a Renault Megane E-Tech, as it’s both one of Renault’s best cars, and among the best electric family cars of this size on the market. It’s possibly an even better buy used, too, since you can enjoy savings of thousands of pounds on a car that may only have done a few thousand miles and still feels basically new.
The Megane E-Tech hits a lot of bases. It’s stylish outside, has a classy and superbly finished interior, a logical and very usable infotainment system, and a pretty decent range for what’s quite a compact car - SUV-like proportions make the Megane look larger and taller than it actually is.
Despite being shorter than a Ford Focus or VW Golf, interior space is still impressive, and the deep 440-litre boot is practical too, being bigger than that of a Volkswagen ID.3. In terms of looks and feel the Renault definitely has the edge on the VW, too.
It’s pretty good to drive too - a couple of rivals feel more agile but Renault has played to its strengths, so the E-Tech rides well even on its larger 20-inch alloy wheel options, and despite 220PS going to the front wheels, it can handle its power easily enough too. Refinement is near the top of the class as well.
That class includes cars like the Cupra Born and MG4 (which are sportier to drive but don’t quite have the Megane’s quality), the aforementioned VW ID.3, and the Kia Niro EV, another of the best cars in this class. The Nissan Leaf is often forgotten about these days and can’t match the Renault’s range, but there are some good deals to be had.
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Choosing a Megane E-Tech comes down to trim level rather than powertrain, since all models come with the same 220PS electric motor and 60kWh battery pack. If you want to maximise the car’s style then Techno spec is a good choice, with its 20-inch wheels accentuating the car’s chunky looks (though we’d add that even the Equilibre doesn’t look under-wheeled on its 18-inch alloys).
And if you’re looking at a Techno model, then it could be worth hunting around for a Techno+, since it comes with a heat pump - a more efficient way of heating the cabin, and therefore a way of saving energy in cold weather. That said, don’t overlook the entry-level Equilibre cars, which are still well equipped.
The Megane E-Tech has been offered in three trim levels so far, and much like many of its rivals, there’s no such thing as a poorly-equipped variant - from the basic Equilibre trim upwards you get all the modern trappings, with even a heated steering wheel on the standard kit list. You’ll need Techno+ trim and up to get a heat pump though to best maximise the car’s range.
The Renault Megane E-Tech’s dimensions are:
The Renault Megane E-Tech’s boot size is:
As a fully electric vehicle, the Renault Megane E-Tech doesn’t currently attract any fee when you tax it each year. While this is likely to change in future, it’s one area the Megane will hold an advantage over a similarly-sized hybrid or combustion vehicle.
Depending on the trim level you go for, the Renault Megane E-Tech sits in either insurance group 26 or 27. That’s not bad by the standards of some electric vehicles, but it’s still more than you’d find on a combustion vehicle of equivalent size.
Read our full Renault Megane E-Tech review
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