The new Megane E-Tech Electric is exactly what you want from a family hatch – it's practical and reliable.
However, it goes further than that. Renault's newest offering is stylish and engaging with its ultra-cool sporty look.
It was recently named the ‘Best Electric Hatch’ at the Top Gear Electric Awards 2022. Ahead of its launch in the UK later this year, the all-new Megane E-Tech Electric scooped the prestigious award after impressing the judges with its performance, appearance and quality feel.
When Renault launched the humble ZOE as their first full EV back in 2012, who would have thought that it would be a full decade before we saw another mainstream Renault fully electric passenger car hit the market?
Thinking of making the switch to electric?
Thanks to the success of the ZOE, one in five Renaults sold in Europe has been electric. And the new Megane E-Tech is being hailed by Renault as a 'second generation' electric vehicle.
What does it look like?
There's no doubt that the Megane E-Tech is impressive looking. It's based visually on the Megane eVision concept car unveiled in 2020 and incorporates the brand's familiar C-shaped headlamps.
Sporting Renault’s new logo, with a compact footprint and high-tech lights, the new Megane E-Tech leads the way with its elegant design.
There are flush-fitting electric front door handles, and you get big wheels of 18- or 20-inches depending on spec. Take a seat up front and the first thing you'll notice is the 'OpenR' screen set-up, an L-shaped arrangement which combines an instrument screen and a central infotainment monitor, both 12.3-inches in size.
Inside, the cabin offers record spaciousness with optimal comfort that enhances the OpenR screen technology. The Megane E-Tech Electric offers no less than 26 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including innovative safety systems and driver aids.
How does it drive?
Drive is delivered by a 215bhp motor powered by a 60kWh battery capable of 280 miles. This variant can reach 62mph in just 7.4 seconds, as long as you engage the provided 'Sport' mode. The UK market isn't being offered the alternative entry-level EV40 model, which uses a modest 129bhp motor powered by a 40kWh battery pack capable of 186 miles.
There's the option of different kinds of in-car charger systems, starting with the base 7kW AC 'standard charge' set-up and ranging up to fast DC public charging at 130kW. The car can draw about 186 miles of range in around half an hour from a 130kW DC charger. Around eight hours of charging from a 7.4kW home charger will give you around 248 miles of range.
What's the price?
Pricing starts from around £36,000, and is available to pre-order now, ahead of its official release later this year.
Megane E-Tech Electric customers can choose from three well-equipped models – 'Equilibre', 'Techno', and the range-topping 'Launch Edition' – with each benefitting from a class-leading digital experience with a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 9-inch multimedia display and Android Automotive OS with integrated Google services.
At the top of the range, the special 'Launch Edition' version, priced at around £40,000, aims to stand out with 20-inch 'Enos' alloy wheels and a gold F1 blade, while the interior gains a 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a smart rear-view mirror and an Around View 3D camera system.