Road test: Renault Megane Bose 1.3 TCe 140 CV: the all-round compact that set out to hunt down the premium brands

For a long time now, the compact segment has stopped being modest and accessible, which has meant that its good value for money has been forgotten. Even so, there are still brands willing to bet on vehicles that remain faithful to the philosophy of compacts, and Renault is a clear example of this. We can regard the Megane as a true benchmark and a car that has rightfully earned its good reputation, but is it a match for the Volkswagen Golf or the Audi A3?

To answer this question, we decided to live with a Renault Megane in Bose trim, paired with the 1.3 TCe 140 CV engine and the seven-speed automatic gearbox, for a week. The French firm offers this combination for customers who are looking for a comfortable, practical compact suited to any circumstance without having to face an excessive outlay.

A continuity-led design, but well adapted

Over its history, Renault has allowed itself the luxury of creating vehicles as eccentric and ingenious as the Avantime or the Velsatis. However, despite the evolution our protagonist has undergone, we have never seen that risk or imagination applied to this one. We must also bear in mind that the Megane was conceived as a mass-market vehicle, so its design has to fit in and appeal to the majority.

And the truth is that the designers at the French firm have done a good job with this latest generation of their favourite son. In my opinion, and although it is somewhat subjective, I think it is a subtle, elegant and attractive vehicle in equal measure. These impressions are created above all by an imposing front end dominated by the characteristic diamond and by two LED headlights shaped like a “C” that seem to embrace it.

The rear keeps playing with that imposing design language that Renault has been using to conceive its latest creations. Without a doubt, the rear lights are the element that attracts the most attention thanks to their elongated, slender shape. The rear bumper, on the other hand, does without superfluous elements and settles for a discreet, genuine exhaust outlet of the good kind, which is welcome.

An interior with nothing to envy the Germans

I won’t fool you: in the days before my encounter with the Renault Megane I was somewhat sceptical about its interior quality. I must now admit that I take my hat off to the French compact. The engineers at the firm of the diamond have ensured a frankly good value for money that is hard to beat, something its interior demonstrates once again.

A pleasantly textured steering wheel greets us once we are settled in our seat and, although it features a side button panel to operate the different instrument cluster menus, Renault still uses an already outdated satellite control -which has been duplicated model after model for far too long- designed to control the multimedia system.

Behind the wheel we find a semi-digital instrument cluster that provides just the necessary information. Its layout is nowhere near as extensive as that of the Group Volkswagen models, for example, but the ability to change the design and its smooth, correct graphics make this cluster, driven by a seven-inch screen, more than sufficient.

The screen that runs the infotainment system steals the rest of the limelight thanks to its vertical layout and its 8.7 inches, a size we will enjoy if we opt for the most lavish version. Indeed, although its operation is outstanding, there are certain details that have not entirely convinced me.

Renault has aimed for minimalism in developing the interior of the latest Megane generation, but it may have gone too far in certain respects. First, the screen dispenses with physical buttons in favour of some integrated into the plastic surrounding it, which means we don’t always manage to press the button we want. The problem is compounded by the simple fact that these are closer to the passenger seat than to the driver, a setback, above all, when we travel alone.

Another aspect that has not pleased me either is the climate control, which has been integrated into the screen itself and forces us to exit the menu we are using in order to adjust the airflow, for example. But, to stop being nitpicky, the truth is that, in general terms, we find good materials along with more than correct fit and finish. We notice this through the dashboard or the doors, areas where hard plastic has been reserved for the less accessible elements that we will not touch often.

The rear seats are spacious for both head and legs, allowing two adults to travel without problems. However, the middle seat lacks these qualities because of the transmission tunnel, although in its favour I should highlight a more than adequate backrest, both in terms of recline and padding. Finally, the boot, which in this compact version offers 384 litres, is more than enough to carry our belongings and, although its loading lip is not completely flat, it will be easy for us to load them.

Smooth and dependable

But allow me to set these trivial matters aside and focus on one of the most important aspects of any road test: the sensations the Renault Megane delivers when we take to its controls. Well, I must say I had heard numerous colleagues in the profession praise the R.S variant of the French compact, so I suspected its more restrained versions would work remarkably well, something I also sensed from the number of units we can spot on our roads.

The Megane that kept me company for a week was equipped with the 1.3 TCe engine producing 140 CV and 240 Nm of torque, figures managed by an EDC automatic gearbox. It is a turbocharged four-cylinder powertrain capable of delivering its torque at 1,600 rpm and its power at 5,600 rpm, which results in a very smooth and linear character.

Although it is true that in the first stretch of the rev counter we will experience a moderately firm push, refinement and subtlety soon become the main traits of this engine. It runs very pleasantly and at no point does it flood the cabin with a coarse or annoying sound; quite the contrary, we barely notice the engine is there.

Don’t get me wrong, this powertrain has more than enough strength to move the Megane with ease, which leads me to classify it as one of the most logical choices in the range. In addition, the seven-speed dual-clutch EDC automatic gearbox is a perfect complement to this heart thanks to its quick and efficient behaviour. Shifts between gears are imperceptible, it is smooth at all times and we only notice a certain lethargy on downshifts when we resort to manual mode.

Overall, the Renault Megane is a very easy-going car that is easy to drive, something made possible by its docile character. However, steering that is too light and imprecise will make it difficult to take quick bends accurately, although it is very comfortable when parking, for example. The suspension tuning is rather soft, which helps us not to feel road imperfections too strongly, but it causes some body roll in tight corners.

Nevertheless, and despite this relaxed attitude of the Renault Megane that was in my care for a week, I must praise the chassis set-up. The engineers at the firm of the diamond have known how to develop a superb base that lets us sense exemplary composure and good rigidity, traits that will come to the fore in the R.S variant thanks to more precise steering and firmer suspension.

But I will try to contain my eagerness to get behind the wheel of the Megane R.S and focus on the version we are dealing with today , starting with an analysis of its behaviour on the motorway. In this area, the French compact shows its qualities as an affable car thanks to astonishing comfort. The 140 CV and 240 Nm of torque will be more than enough to carry out overtaking manoeuvres with ease. Driving at legal speeds, it is easy to see an average consumption of 6.2 litres/100 km reflected on the instrument cluster.

In the urban environment, the Renault Megane also stands out positively thanks to good forward visibility and dimensions that are more than suitable for tackling the city. Its soft suspension helps ensure that potholes do not turn into strong vibrations in the cabin and that we can drive without undue worry. Consumption in this setting can easily rise to 8.5 / 9 litres.

Conclusion

Renault has achieved an outstanding job with the latest generation of the Megane, a model that, although it has been on the market for quite a few years, remains timeless. Its exterior design only suffers from looking too similar to its sibling models in the range, but overall we find a modern and well-balanced car.

Its 1.3 TCe engine is equally smooth and dependable, which makes it a very worthwhile option for those who want a performance-oriented car but nothing radical. At the same time, the EDC gearbox can be an exceptional ally if our usual driving is in the urban environment, an area that will be much more manageable thanks to imperceptible gear changes.

With a starting price of 15,548 euros, the French compact positions itself as a very interesting vehicle against its main German rivals, which far exceed that figure in their more restrained versions. In the case of our test unit, the invoice total rises to 22,943 euros because of the Bose trim and its equipment, a figure that, in my view, remains very competitive.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackRenault Megane3 versions · from 39,650 €