Renault Megane E-Tech Review: Stylish EV launching Renault’s new era

Join us as we take a closer look at the Renault Megane E-Tech, the EV that started Renault's electrification.

Renault first began producing the Megane in the late '90s as a traditional petrol hatchback. Since then, it's enjoyed an illustrious history, becoming a staple on UK roads through its several iterations.

However, times are changing. With the UK's 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel cars looming, manufacturers are racing to electrify their lineups – and the Megane E-Tech was Renault's answer.

Competing against established rivals like the Kia Niro EV, CUPRA Born and the Volkswagen ID.3, the Megane E-Tech offers a claimed range of up to 280 miles (WLTP Comb) from its 60 kWh battery.

But is it worth your hard-earned cash?

We took it for a spin to find out.

What we drove:

• Model: EV60 160kW techno 60kWh Optimum Charge 5dr
• Transmission: Auto
• Power: Electric (220hp)
• Colour: Midnight Blue
• OTR: From £33,995
• Acceleration: 0-62mph takes 7.5 seconds

*Prices correct at the time of publication

Or watch our video review over on YouTube:

Sleek looks that turn heads (and fool the eye)

You may look at the Megane E-Tech and assume it's an SUV, but alas, it's actually a humble hatchback masquerading as something bigger.

SUV presence in a hatchback package

Renault have been clever with their styling, giving the Megane E-Tech the impression of being a small SUV through its flowing design and imposing stance. The combination of 20" Soren alloy wheels and sharp LED headlights gives the front of the vehicle serious presence.

We got our hands on it in Midnight Blue, which looked absolutely stunning – though if you really want to maximise its design, consider the two-tone colour options that allow you to add a contrasting roof for extra visual punch.

Subtly electric, not sci-fi

Unlike some of its electric rivals, the Megane E-Tech doesn't scream "I'm an EV!" at you. It's not outlandishly futuristic like the Hyundai IONIQ 5 or Volkswagen ID.3. There are nice hints to its electric nature, but it's more subtle. It blends in with the crowd a little, which some might actually prefer.

Step inside: Premium touches that punch above their weight

Step inside the cabin and you're met by a welcoming and comfortable space. The quality of materials used is impressive, particularly considering the price point – soft fabrics across the dash add a premium touch that makes it feel way above what you'd expect for the money.

The driver's seat offers fantastic support, and the wrap-around effect of the two screens positioned side-by-side looks fantastic, helping the driver feel more at one with the vehicle.

The dark side (literally)

However, the rear of the cabin does feel quite dark and gloomy. The dark felt-lined roof and dark grey seats really enhance this atmosphere. It's less of an issue for the driver up front, but something to consider if you're regularly driving as a family of four, or ferrying passengers around.

Clever tech in a smaller package

The tech is impressive for this price point too.

The dual-screen setup

You're greeted by not one, but two screens that wrap around the dashboard – a crisp 12.3" driver's display paired with a 9" infotainment system. And not only do they look good, but they're also responsive and intuitive to use.

The infotainment screen is admittedly smaller than rivals at 9", and there's no option to upgrade it. When compared to the dual 12.3" screens in the Kia EV6 or the 15" screen in the Tesla Model 3, it does look a tad dated. However, we'll forgive Renault for this because the system is actually easy to use, unlike some of its more complicated competitors.

Yes, there are lots of menus and sub-menus to jump through, but generally, it's straightforward enough. Plus, with Google integration, you're blessed with plenty of smart features to play with.

Buttons haven't been banished

Fear not, Renault haven't caved into the minimalism trend. 

There's a healthy balance between buttons and screens here, with physical controls for your air conditioning and a wealth of shortcut buttons, so you're never solely reliant on the touchscreen.

One quirky feature? Two volume control options: a traditional dial on the left of the touchscreen or a stalk behind the steering wheel. The latter is... odd. One that you'll probably grow accustomed to, but a strange addition at first.

Wireless connectivity as standard

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come on select trims, meaning no messy cables cluttering up your cabin.

Speaking of wireless, there's also a wireless phone charger as standard – though if you need a wired connection, you've got two USB-C ports in both the front and rear, plus a 12V socket up front.

Safety that doesn't compromise

The Megane E-Tech takes safety seriously, scoring five stars out of five during Euro NCAP safety testing, including an impressive 85% score for adult occupants and 88% for child occupants.

Standard safety features include:

• Cruise control on Equilibre trim, adaptive cruise control on Techno trim and above
• Rear-view camera across the range
• Traffic sign recognition to keep you informed of speed limits
• Emergency lane keep assist to prevent unintentional drifting
• Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Around-view 3D camera on launch edition spec for complete parking confidence

All in all, this is a lot of safety tech on offer – particularly impressive for a car at this price point.

Room for the family (and all their stuff)

With enough room for yourself, the kids, and all of their stuff (we're talking hockey kit, school bags, toys, snacks – the whole shebang), the Megane E-Tech truly is an ideal family hatchback.

Boot space that rivals the competition

It boasts 440 litres of boot space, which narrowly beats the Volkswagen ID.3 by nearly 60 litres but falls just short of the Niro EV's 475 litres. Need more space? Fold the rear seats flat and you're greeted with a generous 1,332 litres – more than enough for a tip run or holiday luggage.

There's also handy underfloor storage for stashing your charging cables out of sight, keeping your boot tidy and leaving space for all of life's bits and bobs.

One thing to note: the boot features a large load lip, which means lifting heavier items in and out requires a bit more effort. It's manageable, but worth considering if you regularly haul heavy gear.

Smart cabin storage

Within the cabin, there's thoughtful storage throughout:

• Two cupholders for your morning coffee runs
• A deep armrest compartment for hiding away essentials
• Good-sized door bins for bottles and bits

Passenger space: Comfortable, with one catch

Space for passengers in the back is competitive. Younger occupants will find generous legroom and headroom, making it perfectly comfortable for the school run or weekend trips.

Taller passengers above six feet will get by fine in the rear, but the sloping roofline does eat into headroom on longer journeys – something to bear in mind if you regularly ferry taller friends or family members about.

Built for electric driving

Here's where the Megane E-Tech gets clever. Some brands simply rip out the engine of their combustion cars and shove in a battery, a compromise that often affects interior space.

Renault took a different approach, building the Megane E-Tech from the ground up as a standalone EV. This means that while it's actually shorter than a traditional hatchback, it still offers excellent interior space thanks to its dedicated EV platform.

That's the benefit of purpose-built electric architecture – you get smart packaging without the compromises.

Smooth operator, with a few quirks

Get behind the wheel and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Handling that inspires confidence

The Megane E-Tech handles its 220 horsepower confidently, with nicely weighted steering that strikes a good balance.

It feels planted and precise, yet still nimble and agile enough to make urban driving a breeze.

It's worth noting this is a front-wheel drive EV, which you can notice coming in and out of corners through its power delivery. Though despite its agile and nimble handling, this is very much a family-friendly electric car rather than a hot hatch pretending to be practical.

Motorway manners

Comfort levels are impressive, even at motorway speeds. And get this – there’s minimal road noise. It’s one of the quieter EVs we’ve tested, which is surprising for something at this price point.

Long journeys won't leave you feeling rattled or exhausted. The cabin stays peaceful, letting you actually enjoy conversations with passengers or your podcast queue.

Creature comforts for British weather

There are some lovely driver comforts too, with a heated steering wheel and heated front seats for both driver and passenger.

Perfect for those cold winter mornings when you've just de-iced the car and your hands are still frozen.

Regenerative braking that works for you

Regenerative braking can be customised to suit your preferences, giving you a little boost of charge to save your wallet that bit extra.

Set it to maximum and it's very strong. Though it doesn't quite offer a full one-pedal driving experience, it does a decent job of slowing you down without constantly hitting the brake pedal.

The visibility trade-off

Here's where things get a bit tricky. 

The rear window is small, making visibility poor when reversing or checking your blind spots. Put some adults in the back and this becomes even more limited; you might as well not have a rear window at all.

However, you do get fantastic visibility ahead, and the large wing mirrors help compensate for what's lacking at the rear. It's manageable, but by no means perfect. 

Something to consider if you do a lot of tight parking manoeuvres, or regularly drive on busy roads where checking behind you is crucial.

Going the distance without the drama

The Megane E-Tech comes with a 60kWh battery pack, offering up to 280 miles of range (WLTP Comb).

That puts it just shy of the Kia Niro EV's 285 miles, but comfortably ahead of the Volkswagen ID.3's 265 miles (WLTP Comb). For a family-friendly electric car tackling the school run, commutes, and weekend trips, it's competitive enough for the kind of journeys you'll do day in and day out.

The Megane E-Tech features 22kW AC charging as standard, which makes a genuine difference to real-world charging convenience. At a public charging station, you'll recoup around 150 miles (WLTP Comb) in just one hour and 30 minutes – perfect for topping up while you grab lunch or do the weekly shop.

Need a faster boost? Using a 130kW rapid charger, you'll get a full charge in just over an hour, or up to 30 miles in as little as seven minutes. That quick seven-minute top-up could be the difference between making it home comfortably or sweating over the range indicator.

For most drivers, the Megane E-Tech's range will comfortably cover several days of typical driving before needing a charge, making range anxiety pretty much a non-issue.

The highs, the lows, and the honest truth

What makes the Megane E-Tech stand out?

Here's where the Megane E-Tech really makes its case.

The road noise – or lack thereof. It was one of the quieter EVs we tested, which makes a real difference on longer journeys. No rattling, no constant hum, just a peaceful cabin where you can actually hear yourself think.

The interior quality punches well above its price point. Soft fabrics across the dash, fantastic driver seat support, and materials that feel genuinely premium. It doesn't feel like a budget option, even though the price tag suggests otherwise.

Clever styling gives it genuine SUV presence with those 20" alloy wheels and sharp LED headlights, but it keeps the practicality of a hatchback. It's deceptive in the best way – looks bigger than it is, but easier to park and manoeuvre.

Boot space is generous too: 440 litres beats the VW ID.3 by nearly 60 litres, with clever underfloor storage for charging cables keeping everything tidy.

The infotainment is actually intuitive. Yes, the 9" screen is smaller than rivals, but it's responsive, easy to use, and has physical buttons for key controls. No hunting through menus just to adjust the temperature.

Oh, and it's got a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with 85% for adult occupants and 88% for child occupants. Safety kit is generous across the range too.

What are some of the Megane E-Tech’s flaws?

Full disclosure, there are a few things worth mentioning.

The rear visibility is poor. That small rear window becomes almost useless once you've got adult passengers in the back seats. The large wing mirrors help compensate, but it's not ideal.

The 9" infotainment screen looks dated compared to rivals. There's no option to upgrade it either.

The rear cabin feels dark and gloomy thanks to the dark felt-lined roof and dark grey seats.

It's front-wheel drive only, which you'll notice coming in and out of corners through its power delivery. Not a deal-breaker, but it's not as planted as all-wheel drive rivals.

These are minor niggles in the grand scheme of things. The Megane E-Tech knows exactly what it is: a stylish, practical electric hatchback that delivers where it counts without pretending to be something it's not.

What’s the verdict?

The Renault Megane E-Tech is a promising start to a new electric era for the French manufacturer.

Its deceptive styling delivers on looks, style, and personality, giving you SUV presence wrapped in a practical hatchback package. The quality of the interior matches the generous levels of kit that come either as standard or early in the range, making it feel like you're getting far more car than the price tag suggests.

Is it the perfect family car? Not quite. 

There are imperfections. Poor rear visibility, a darker rear cabin, and a smaller infotainment screen than some rivals. But these are minor niggles in what is otherwise a very competent package.

This is a refined, good-looking EV that more than holds its own against rivals when it comes to range, space, and comfort. It's not trying to be revolutionary or groundbreaking – it's just doing what it does well, without fuss or drama.

Since the Megane E-Tech's launch, Renault have gone on to release the retro-inspired Renault 5 and the practical Renault 4, proving that the lessons learned from this model laid solid foundations for their expanding electric lineup.

For those in the market for a practical electric hatchback with genuine style and substance, the Megane E-Tech does the job and then some.

Top 5 reasons to lease the Megane E-Tech

1. One of the quietest EVs in its class: Minimised road noise makes motorway journeys genuinely relaxing
2. Premium interior quality at a mid-range price: Soft fabrics, fantastic seat support, and materials that punch well above the price point
3. Clever SUV styling in a practical hatchback package: Imposing presence with 20" alloy wheels and sharp LED headlights, but easier to park and manoeuvre
4. 440 litres of boot space beats some rivals: Nearly 60 litres more than the VW ID.3, with underfloor storage for charging cables
5. Five-star Euro NCAP safety rating with generous standard kit: 85% for adult occupants, 88% for child occupants, plus enough tech to give you peace of mind

Would we recommend leasing a Megane E-Tech?

Absolutely – especially if you're after a stylish, practical electric hatchback that doesn't break the bank.

It's not perfect, but for drivers who value a quiet, comfortable cabin, premium interior quality, and genuine road presence without the SUV bulk, the Megane E-Tech ticks a lot of boxes.

Perfect for families who want an electric car that just gets on with the job without any fuss.