FIRSTDRIVE RENAULT MEGANE SPORT TOURERRenault's newest Mégane, the estate, has bags of space and safety specs, but it's all a bit anodyne, writes MARK NICHOL
RENAULT’S REPUTATION is entrenched in tales of unreliability, but it’s often been excused in the past because it’s made some pretty interesting cars – standout, if not outstanding. But the new Mégane family perfectly exemplifies a shift. The last generation car was notable for its angular, precipitous creases. And, of course, that backside. It was so unusual that inconsistent quality was a risk many were willing to take.
No longer. Renault has toned down the styling and assigned more time and effort into the tangibles of tactility. That’s really obvious when you step into the latest member of the crew, the Sport Tourer. There’s a quality about the soft dash, air conditioning switches and indicator stalks that wasn’t there before.
The Tourer’s wheelbase is extended by around 6cm over the five-door hatch, and all bar a solitary 1mm of it is assigned to additional rear legroom. What you also get is a great big box for carrying things in – a whole 524 litres, to be exact. That’s 54 more than the Astra Estate’s.
It’s a neatly integrated trunk too, as though it was designed to be that way from the start. As much as we hate to admit it, in the Mégane’s, case the quasi-aspirational “Sport Tourer” label might, just, for once, be an apt one.
That’s true of the way it drives too, because, while it won’t set anyone’s world alight, it’s more nimble than a load-lugger really should be. There’s a core of solidity about it: the steering is well weighted and quick to turn and simultaneously feels planted to the road while marginalising lumps and bumps. Overall, that little voice that once accompanied every Renault saying “be gentle – it might break” has been banished.
We drove the peachy range-topping 158bhp diesel engine, notable for its 380Nm torque output which endows it with effortless shove. In our case – with an empty boot – it gave the estate hot hatch equalling grunt, but it will also prove useful with a rump full of dishwashers or dogs. It’ll all be really safe too, because – as ever – Renault has imbued its latest model with five-star Euro NCAP chasing safety features.
Yet, it’s all a bit, well, anodyne. In keeping with the rest of the new Mégane pack, it’s better in every way than what went before, but it’s also missing personality. It’s got the looks, but very little charm.
However, Renault promises that pricing will undercut its predecessor and equipment will be more generous. It goes on sale in Ireland in September.
Engine: 2.0-litre dCi
FAP 160 with six-speed
manual
Peak power: 158bhp
Peak torque: 380Nm
0-100km/h: 8.8 seconds
CO2 emissions: 155g/km
L/100km: 5.9
Price: TBC
Arriving: September