Like millions of Brits, I recently decamped to Spain for a week’s summer holiday. Expecting a thrashed beater, our hire car was a pleasantly surprising new 5-door Renault Megane.
With the Alliance’s 1.9 dCi lump under the bonnet, this Megane has plenty of poke, although it’s distinctly lifeless under 1,500rpm. Despite our best efforts (air con at full blast included), it refused to sup any fuel. Steering and suspension setup are excellent.
Key gripes are the headroom - (I’m 6ft tall, and banged my head everywhere I sat) - and front legroom due to a curved dashboard digging into your knees. Forget rearward visibility too: the price to pay for stylish ‘coupe-like’ design.
All in all though, the Renault Megane is an excellent car, even if the gear stick is on the wrong side.
