Renault Megane IV

The Renault Megane is now on its fourth-generation and for this latest regeneration, it's now packed with a whole new look, new tech, new performance, and a whole new attitude that sets the class apart. So, what's it all about the new Megane?

2016 Renault Megane

Before you take a look at the all-new, fourth-generation Renault Megane, it might be best to compare with or without wearing your glasses because this is the main reason why this car is called "Megane". Approach yourself two times near the car, then move backward by four times, and then backward again by eight times. See the difference if you're going through different directions with or without glasses? Without your glasses, your new Megane looks a lot like a Mercedes-Benz A-Class from the distance, but with your glasses on, you can really point out its Talisman-inspired looks, which is now the new norm for Renault's "la vie, avec passion" slogan.

2016 Renault Megane interior

Because the design was heavily inspired from the Talisman saloon, you can expect the same interior as seen on the Espace, which is going to be also the new norm for future Renault interiors. For music lovers and speedo boys who love changing the radio of their cars, look away now because the new interior has a very irreplaceable touch screen armed with Renault's updated R-Link telematics system, smartphone connectivity, and much else that will put anyone to shame, except for those who got their hard-earned or hard-found songs in their smartphones to connect with. While you are ignoring this huge touch-screen, which is going to be a nightmare for a CD-less world of cars with irreplaceable radios (that's right speedo boy, you will never replace that big screen from this car), the interior of the new Megane is downright premium and downright comfortable to be accustomed with. Aside from having decent space for the passengers, there's still more room fit for your next shopping trips to the mall or to the farmer's market. What this is is a hatchback that suits anyone's lifestyle anytime, anywhere, year in, year out.

2016 Renault Megane

Under the hood, the new Megane comes with several choice of petrol and diesel engines ranging from the more powerful Energy TCe 205 available on the GT model and the more efficient Energy dCi 110 engine ECO2. Whichever engine you can choose, it can be mated with either a 6-speed or a 7-speed EDC gearbox, which sounds great to shift gears but it feels too good for its own form. Sorry, it's not a bad or a miss but rather "good" is what sums it up when it comes to its gearbox issues.

What about dynamics? Well, because this is an entirely new car with an entirely new underpinning, you might think that this is all fun and games, well in the GT-Line model that is, but there is little fun and games in the new chassis it sports as well as a more clever suspension setup fit for European roads. It feels good to handle as the present-day Clio but for sheer enjoyment, only time will tell.

Of course, the new Megane is all high-tech from start to finish and with that, you can expect a wide array of high-tech features such as Traffic Sign Recognition, Lane Departure Warning, headlamps that switches to high beam automatically, Easy Park Assist, Blind Spot detection, autonomous braking assist, and hill start assist. Those tech stuff sounds great but it can be quite scary for first-timers.

2016 Renault Megane

Should you buy one? The new Renault Megane starts at 18,200 Euros and when you compare its pricing to its French rival, the Peugeot 308, it's surprisingly 600 Euros cheap so where does all the extra difference coming from? Perhaps you should do the budget thing and find out but better still, the new Megane's a smart buy for a start.

Photo: Renault