Renault Megane E-Tech Electric: Watch out ID3

The Renault Megane E-Tech is a brand new fully electric car that's set to go on sale in 2022. While the Megane name might be familiar, the E-Tech sits on a bespoke EV platform and is designed to offer the comfort of a family car with the driving dynamics of a GTI. That's an ambitious plan, but can Renault succeed? In this CarGurus UK review, Vicky Parrott is invited for a very early drive in the Megane E-Tech to see how the car is shaping up.

The Megane E-Tech is going to be available with two batteries: a 40kWh unit to give an official range of up to 186 miles, or a 60kWh with up to 292 miles of range. Charging tops out at 130kW, which gives an 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes. Charging the car at home with a 7kW home wallbox will take about 10 hours.

In this video Vicky assesses the Megane E-Tech for practicality, interior layout, infotainment, comfort, performance and driving dynamics, as well as getting an idea of real-world efficiency.

Pros
More enjoyable to drive than most EVs
Brilliant Google infotainment system
Very roomy for passengers

Cons
Oddly shaped boot
Weird square steering wheel
Tiny paddles for adjusting regenerative braking

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Contents of this video ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 – Introduction
01:17 – Subscribe here
01:26 – Design
01:59 – Practicality
02:20 – Rear seats
02:32 – Front seats and infotainment
02:58 – Driving impressions
05:09 – Efficiency
05:30 – Verdict
06:57 – Don’t forget to subscribe

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#cargurusuk #2022renaultmegane #renaultetech

[nielsen]

Wow, among the best looking new EVs imo. Super practical too it seems. This is gonna be a hit for Renault 🔌🚗. Prices has to be around ID.3's, of course

[techpassion]

I really like the car, range is decent and it looks nice! I like how they gave it a huge touchscreen but still kept some physical buttons. Some modern cars go full touchscreen but it's not as easy to do basic things while on the go as a result.

I do hope EVs like this and more in the future get cheaper once the technology becomes more mainstream! I remember my old Nokia used to cost about $700-$800, 2mp camera and all included. But now that smartphone technology has become mainstream, that same amount of money can get me a proper flagship smartphone. Hopefully EVs follow suite and get cheaper as more come onto the market!

[memeguyTM]

It was the best car at the Munich car show in terms of quality and future usability

[Molders]

I'll be buying one, coming from ICE mix of Audi A6 Avant, Yaris Hybrid and various old Mercs. The brand carries enough positive associations for me (5, Clio, Espace) to make it more attractive than Korean/Chinese rivals. I'm all in on Android/Google software anyway and I like the interior/exterior design.
Have read elsewhere that the Megane E-Tech will have an 800 kg towing capacity - would like to specify a factory tow bar for rear bike carrier etc.
I'll specify something fairly close to top-end and no doubt pay for it, but the car makes enough appeal all around to see me leave my previous brand loyalty behind.

[Silver-stzq]

Looks great and love the old school return design of the Renault badge.

[felaykasu]

you’re a great reviewer, super succinct and detailed!!! honestly other channels would stretch out a video like this til half an hour

[sevensixtysteve]

Oh looks like Renault are on to a winner - love the look and 1600kgs is really impressive against other lard arse EVs lumbering around the planet. That on its own seems like significant step forward. Great looking car and hopefully Renault will get the price point right giving us a great looking and driving EV that you dont need to rob a bank to own.

[jonathantaylor]

Great review, Vicky.
Sounds like it's a terrific new EV platform under this car, so looking forward to seeing the more aerodynamically efficient hatchbacks / estates even from Renault and Nissan. 👍

[richards]

Good the hear the current megane is going to continue. It is a very underated car in my opinion.

[rene]

It defenitely looks better than the ID3 in every single way.

[sevesellors]

Super review Vicky and looks a nice car, Renault are on their game at the moment.

[David]

Why not make it a real estate car like the megane grandtour used to be? This is just a tad too small for my family and that's a real shame because if it were an estate car I would just buy it. The charging speed, motor power and battery size seem just right, even for road tripping across the European continent.

[CptSpears]

With some electric cars having such a deep boot, do you think we could see the return of the spare wheel, now that emmissions won’t be an excuse

[itslife]

Compared to an ID3, the Renault looks much more qualitative, technological ... and beautiful 😮👍👍

[stephenirving]

Looks like a good effort and the 60kwh battery is a perfect sweetspot for me. All depends on price now and the Chinese rivals that are expected this year. For me I would like my next car to be an EV but I am still not ready to pay the crazy prices euro and US makers are asking

[TL-xwfh]

EVs are getting better and better. There is no longer the need to buy a Tesla as virtually any other manufacturer is now offering decent cars and with much better build quality than a Tesla! My neighbour's Tesla is a nightmare for quality and where are the dealers? None in the UK.

[returner]

Another good review by Vicky, and I quite like the look of this upcoming Renault. I'm not sure if I agree with Vicky's setiup though; doesn't/didn't both Renault and Nissan have standalone EV ranges in - for example - the Zoe and the Leaf..? Also, a small nit on how charging information is always presented: DC charge rates are important for the very occasional motorway service charging session (and at 130kW that's more than good), however AC rate rates/times are virtually irrelevant. AC charging is almost exclusively a home charging activity (maybe also an occasional destination charger at work or the shops), and so it's almost always a "top-up" activity; as long as the car can take at least 7kWh (and every car can) we're never going to care how long a notional full charge would take. It would be bad practise (that's a nice way of saying it would be a dumb thing to do) to regularly commute down to <10% and then charge back up to 100%. Just top it up as you go along people; all of these new EVs include a safety margin in the packs so that it protects the batteries and extends their life. So, saying it'll take my 10 hours to charge to full at home is nothing more than misinforming the uneducated or sceptical. Otherwise, as I said, a good review.

[johnnybob]

Like it!! ....apart from the gold piece on the front, think it's very odd . A bit like when you damage your car in a minor accident and can't find a replacement at the scrapyard that's the right colour for your car 🤣

[waynefaram]

For me, what this car shows is that you can’t hold onto the same ideas and values regarding motor vehicles of past. The whole of the car market appears to have been turned on it’s head because of electrification. I find myself asking, why do I need to spend over 60, 000 - 80, 000 euros on a premium car when I can spend 47, 000 on a top spec Megan E Tech, get better quality and far far better tech. I actually prefer the look of it to the Audi étron and the Jaguar iPace. Final verdit once I’ve sat in one. We’re still waiting for it here in the South of France. From what I understand the demand is so great it’s completely overwhelmed Renault.

[alre]

Prices start in France at 35.200€ (bonus excl.) or £29.350 at today's rate.
There is a 6.000€ EV bonus in France, so prices start there at 29.200€ or £24.350.