Renault Megane E-Tech Review 2023

If you're looking for an electric family car that looks stylish, has a superb interior and comes fully loaded with standard equipment, the Renault Megane E-Tech is a great choice. Its impressive range of up to 280 miles will be more than enough for most drivers, while we're big fans of the Android-based infotainment system. If you need a big boot with easy access you might be better looking at the Kia Niro EV, though, while both the MG4 and Cupra Born are a little more fun to drive.

Don't dismiss the entry-level Renault Megane E-Tech Equilibre. It's far from basic - with the same nine-inch navigation system and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as pricier models, while the smaller 18-inch alloy wheels are actually quite an appealing choice for those looking to prioritise ride comfort.

Image-conscious buyers will want the Renault Megane E-Tech Techno, though. That comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, fancy LED headlights with dynamic turn signals and tinted rear windows. It also adds some desirable technology, such as front/rear park assist, adapative cruise control and automatic high/low beam.

If you're in the market for an electric family hatch, you're also going to want to look at the Volkswagen ID.3 and its sportier relation, the Cupra Born. The MG4 is worth a look, too, especially as it offers excellent value for money and - like the Cupra - is a little more fun to drive than the Megane E-Tech.

We'd also recommend the excellent Kia Niro EV (particularly if practicality is a priority), while you could also take a look at the Citroen e-C4 and the popular Nissan Leaf.

Generally, the Renault Megane E-Tech feels very well finished inside. The grey fabric seats (made from recycled plastic bottles) look just as classy as leather, while features like the carpeted door bins are a nice touch.

There are a few harsh plastics here and there - the centre console feels pretty robust, and the power button stands out for its, erm, simplicity - but the textured dashboard and shiny black finish around the infotainment means the cabin feels a step above the Volkswagen ID.3's.

The Renault Megane E-Tech comes with a nine-inch infotainment system which uses an Android-based infotainment system. This means it'll be familiar to anyone who's used an Android phone, with clear menu layouts and speedy reactions to touch and swipe inputs.

It's similar to using Android Auto but goes a step further - as it's integrated into the car, you can use Google Maps to plan journeys and it'll take into account the car's battery status and plan charging stops if required. You can also shout 'Hey Google, turn on the heated seats' and it'll do just that.

You can also use the Google Play Store to download your favourite apps, while user profiles mean you can personalise the infotainment setup for different drivers. If you'd prefer to just use your smartphone, you can plug it in and use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto instead.

Tesla fans in the UK will be disappointed that the Megane E-Tech isn't offered with the large portrait infotainment display that's available in some markets. The nine-inch media system is competitive with most rivals in terms of size, although the reversing camera isn't quite as high-resolution as some systems.

As well as the central nine-inch display, the Renault Megane E-Tech is available with an impressive 12.3-inch digital driver's display. Not only does this look suitably high-tech, it can also be configured to show a choice of displays - such as traditional dials or even a Google Maps display.

A car as refined as the Megane E-Tech deserves a premium sound system, says Renault. Depending on trim level, the Renault Megane E-Tech either comes with a four- or six-speaker sound system developed by French firm Arkamys, or a nine-speaker Harman Kardon system.

The Renault Megane E-Tech has a relatively wide and very deep boot. There isn’t an adjustable false floor, either, so there’s a high lip for lifting items over - although you do get a little bit of extra stowage space for hiding away your cables. Overall, the boot can carry up to 440 litres of luggage, which is more than a Volkswagen ID.3 but less than a Kia Niro EV.

If you need more space, the rear seats split 60:40 and drop to provide more load capacity. There is a noticeable step up from the boot floor, though, so you’ll need to look elsewhere if you need a flat load bay with the rear seats lowered.

Boot aside, the Renault Megane E-Tech is a spacious family hatchback. Two adults will be reasonably comfortable in the rear. The relatively low seating position means there’s loads of headroom in the back, too, although there isn’t a huge amount of space for moving your feet around.

The front feels spacious and airy, thanks to a relatively open centre console and a deep front windscreen. You get a reasonably large storage area in the centre cubby, while the door bins can fit a bottle of water and a few odds and ends. There’s a handy storage tray for your mobile phone, too.

The Renault Megane E-Tech's 60kWh battery pack is paired with a 220PS electric motor, which provides pretty punchy performance for a family hatch. Officially it'll accelerate to 62mph from a standstill in around 7.5 seconds, but figures don't really do the Megane justice. It'll surge forwards with all the urgency we've now come to expect from electric vehicles but, unlike some competitors, the performance doesn't drop off as you edge towards motorway speeds.

There are paddles behind the steering wheel which allow you to adjust the amount of regen when you lift off the accelerator pedal. Essentially, this means you can crank up the 'engine' braking so that the Megane slows down quite significantly when you lift off the gas - good news for efficiency as it essentially pumps energy (that would ordinarily be wasted) back into the batteries.

This regenerative braking is great when you're driving around town as you'll rarely have to touch the brakes although, unlike some electric cars, the Megane E-Tech won't come to a complete stop under regenerative braking. You can also reduce the amount of regenerative braking so that the car coasts like a normal car when you lift off the accelerator - better for motorway or open-road driving when you don't want to slow down unnecessarily.

Renault sells the Megane E-Tech across Europe with two different sizes of battery: 40kWh and 60kWh. The smaller battery model provides an electric range of up to 190 miles, while the bigger battery version can officially travel up to 280 miles between charges. That's according to WLTP tests which are designed to be reflective of real-world conditions and are useful for comparing electric cars like-for-like. Of course, the actual range you'll see will depend on a wide range of factors, including the type of driving you cover and even things like the weather conditions and outside temperature.

In the first instance, Renault will only sell the Megane E-Tech with the bigger 60kWh battery in the UK. Its 280-mile range is competitive against rivals - a mid-range (and similarly priced) Volkswagen ID.3 Pro can manage up to 264 miles, while a Citroen e-C4 only manages 219 miles.

Renault's clear focus on quality with the Megane E-Tech extends as far as its noise and vibration levels. It's a very serene car to travel in, with much less wind and road noise than budget alternatives like the MG 4 and even the Volkswagen ID.3.

Of course, with the lack of a grumbly petrol or diesel engine, you'd expect any EV to feel very refined. But the Megane E-Tech goes a step further - you could hear a pin drop in the cabin. It does a genuinely excellent job of isolating you from the outside world.

The Renault Megane E-Tech has been tested by independent experts Euro NCAP and awarded a full five stars for safety - a marked improvement over the Renault Zoe electric city car. That means it's fundamentally a very safe car to travel in should the worst happen, while there's also a long list of standard driver-assistance technology on hand to reduce the chances of a collision in the first place.

One such system is the automatic emergency braking feature, which uses cameras and sensors to monitor your surroundings. If it detects sharp braking from another vehicle, pedestrians crossing the road or a cycling cutting in front of you, it'll alert the driver and apply the brakes if necessary.

Other highlights of the Megane E-Tech's safety systems include a driver drowsiness alert feature, which tells you when it's time to take a break, while a distance warning alert notifies you when you're too close to the car in front.

High-spec Renault Megane E-Tech Techno and Launch Edition models go a step further, with features like adaptive cruise control and lane centring providing level two autonomous driving.

It's fair to say Renault doesn't have the best reliability record. The brand was one of the worst performers in the latest HonestJohn.co.uk Satisfaction Index, while older Meganes are known to be quite problematic for used car buyers.

However... anecdotally, we're hearing fewer reports of issues with Renault's latest models, while the brand has been investing heavily in quality control in recent years. Like all electric cars, the Renault Megane E-Tech has much fewer moving parts to go wrong than a petrol or diesel alternative. It also shares many of its mechanical bits with the Nissan Ariya which should be good for long-term reliability.

The Renault Megane E-Tech has been placed in insurance groups 26 or 27 depending on trim level. What that means in reality depends on a multitude of factors - things like your home address, age, driving experience and annual mileage all combine to determine the price you'll pay for insurance.

Some insurers do charge a premium for electric cars like the Megane E-Tech due to their complexity, not to mention the punchy performance compared to combustion-engined car. We'd always recommend shopping around for quotes, but the Megane E-Tech shouldn't cost any more to insure than a Nissan Leaf or Kia Niro EV.

If you buy an electric car (such as the Renault Megane E-Tech) before 2025, you won't pay any VED (road tax). It's exempt from the £40,000 premium car surcharge, too, which could save you a considerable chunk of money compared to an expensive petrol or diesel alternative.

The Renault Megane E-Tech will initially be available in three trim levels in the UK: Equilibre, Techno and a special Launch Edition model. The brand says it's keeping things simple by only offering these models, along with zero options or option packs.

The entry-level Renault Megane E-Tech Equilibre comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights. Inside, the Equilibre features black fabric seats, a fabric-covered dash and interior ambient lighting. Manual air con is standard, as well as a heated steering wheel and heated front seats. The Megane E-Tech also comes with rear park assist and a rear-view camera, as well as the 12.3-inch digital driver's display and nine-inch infotainment system with navigation. A four-speaker Arkamys sound system is standard as well as wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity.

Driver-assist highlights on the Renault Megane E-Tech Equilibre include a distance warning alert, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking with junction assist including pedestrian and cyclist alerts, cruise control with speed limiter, driver drowsiness alert, emergency lane keeping assist with oncoming traffic and road-edge detection and hill start assist.

The Renault Megane E-Tech Techno adds 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beam, contrasting door mirrors and a shark fin antenna. Inside, the Techno features grey/black upholstery with synthetic leather with recycled materials, 48-colour ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, height and electric lumbar adjustment for both front seats, Google services including Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play store, wireless smartphone charging and an upgraded audio system with six speakers and two rear-mounted USB-C ports.

Driver-assistance tech on the Techno includes adaptive cruise control with speed limiter and lane centring, traffic sign recognition with overspeed prevention, blind spot recognition and intervention, rear cross traffic alert with rear automatic braking and front/rear park assist.

The Renault Megane E-Tech Launch Edition comes with 20-inch alloy wheels, a gold F1 blade, nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, smart rear-view mirror and an around-view 3D camera system.