Renault Mégane E-Tech review: A competitor for ID.3 and co.?
A TEST REPORT from Dominic Lux 
on January 05, 2024, 10:00 pm | Write a comment
With the Renault Mégane E-Tech, the French cult brand is bringing a classic onto the market in a new electric guise. We tested it extensively for you in everyday life and came to the conclusion that Renault is really serious about electromobility.
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tl;dr: A big hit for Renault
The Mégane E-Tech 100% electric, as it is officially called, is “actually” not a converted petrol engine. It is based on a pure electric car platform and also comes with various features that make everyday life easier. This platform is called CMF EV, which is also based on this Nissan ariya. We already covered this one last year and we really liked it. So what about the more compact Mégane? Is he just a shrunken Ariya? No, the new Mégane is definitely more. Even if we missed features such as matrix LED headlights or a head-up display, the Mégane E-Tech really offers a lot of technology in a small space. Starting with a 12-inch (approx. 30 cm) display (available as an optional extra) in the middle of the dashboard.
There is a sound system from Harman Kardon available for an additional charge, which sounds really good and in our environment even performs better than some Volvo models. Even a digital rear-view mirror, otherwise you would have a somewhat narrow view to the rear. The Mégane E-Tech really offers a lot for a compact class vehicle. Even though the interior seems a little smaller than that of an ID.3, Renault shows that they have really put a lot of high-tech into their Mégane to compete against the competition.
Of course, all of this has its price. Our test car comes with all the special equipment features and the large 20-inch rims at a list price of 52.920 euros including 19% VAT. This is definitely not a cheap price for a Mégane, but it is actually priced similarly to the VW ID.3 with full equipment . The Mégane is actually a little cheaper if you fully equip it.
So if you're looking for a lot of technology and a modern interior with a nice ambience and don't really find the ID.3's interior quality admirable, you should definitely look at the Mégane E-Tech. Not only does it offer a fully-fledged speedometer display, but also much more stable software based on Google's Android Automotive with YouTube, Play Store, etc.
Test report as video:
Design: Very modern outside and inside
The Renault Megane E-Tech comes with a very modern design. We think it looks quite impressive, especially in the Dezir Red paintwork. Curved daytime running lights at the front with very thin main headlights, which still provide extremely good light output at night. We are also greeted by a slightly larger trunk than the ID.3, the ID.3 offers 385 liters and the Mégane E-Tech 440 liters. This is due, among other things, to a storage compartment for a charging cable located under the actual trunk, since there is no rear engine installed here.
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
By the way, there are dynamic flashing lights installed at the front and rear, which I at least miss on my ID.3. It only has relatively small, dynamic indicators at the rear. Of course, there is also an automatic high beam switch-off, which works very reliably and quickly. In general, you can tell that Renault, like the ZOE, has developed a purely electric car. The charging port is located on the front left passenger side.
Interior & Infotainment: Open R-Link ensures pure pleasure
The new infotainment system, which Renault introduced for the first time in the new Mégane E-Tech, called “Open R-Link”, is an important step towards a good car and very good software. From the response time to the user-friendliness, everything can be operated very quickly and reliably. Even though you rely on an Android Automotive system, there is an Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection option, both wireless. Directly under the lush display there is a wireless charging area for a smartphone. However, the device should not be larger than 6,8 inches, as even with this large size it is relatively difficult to get it out of the shell again.
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- Picture: TechnikNews
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- Picture: TechnikNews
You can also configure different tiles yourself to your heart's content. There is also a built-in browser in the form of the Vivaldi Browser, why not Google Chrome? Unfortunately we don't know that either, but it's not available for other brands either. You can use additional infotainment functions including the very good charging route planning that you are used to from Google here see in our video. Unfortunately there is also some piano lacquer on board, but as a frame for the speedometer and infotainment display it can just about cope.
Interior: Significantly better than in the ID.3
Furthermore, the interior is really very well made, at least in the top version. Optionally there were also scopes that were made of wood or at least had a wood texture. We have a beautiful Alcantara look in the doors of our test car. Incidentally, Renault also likes to make references to their old models, for example you can also set different AVAS (pedestrian warning noises). Among other things, the sound from the first ZOE and two completely new sounds. Of course, it is not possible to switch it off completely for safety reasons.
Picture: TechnikNews
The entire dashboard is completely covered with a beautiful fabric that is also easy to touch. Definitely far away from the plastic landscape in the ID. models. The aluminum-look ambient lighting is integrated into the various elements. The steering wheel feels very good and also has some grain to provide better grip. The steering column levers could be described as a bit overloaded, because there are three of them on the right side alone, for gear selection, windshield wipers and media controls (as is typical for Renault).
Nevertheless, the interior seems very modern to us, but in no way too minimalistic; many things have been thought of and even considered. Which is not always the case with other manufacturers. We found the seats to be quite comfortable, even on longer journeys. The lumbar support in our test car is electrically adjustable, but fully electric driver and front passenger seats are only available at an additional cost.
Consumption & assistance systems: Better than VW?
Let's get straight to consumption. When the outside temperature is cold, the on-board computer shows around 19 kWh per 100 km. That is also quite realistic. But when it's over 0 degrees outside, consumption drops to around 15 - 16 kWh per 100 km in our test drives. These are exactly the values that an ID.3 achieves. So Renault is just as efficient as the Volkswagen. The assistance systems on the Renault Megane E-Tech are also almost identical. Renault finally has a sensible steering assistant that is comparable to the Travel Assist from the ID.3. Automatic speed limits can also be adopted, so when entering a town, the Mégane automatically brakes from a country road speed to 50 km / h without you having to intervene.
I think Renault definitely included an ID.3 in the development of the Mégane E-Tech. Because in many areas you can simply notice that Renault has implemented some of the things that the ID.3 did right or wrong in a better way. By the way, OTA updates for assistance systems also work smoothly. Only the app still needs some expansion; it doesn't seem that modern. And a digital key system would round the whole thing off. Interestingly, the app reported once or twice during our test period that a digital key was available. But then again, maybe Renault will soon add this function via an over-the-air update. That would at least be desirable.
The ACC cruise control also does a good and safe job. There is no detection whatsoever in heavy rain or in strong sunlightproproblems. The braking is sometimes a little harder than with the ID.3 when it comes to coming to a complete stop in a traffic jam. In my opinion, this could be a little gentler. In general, the assistance system and, for example, the digital interior mirror are very well done. However, I am still missing a head-up display and a matrix LED system.
Charging & driving behavior: Need for optimization in fast charging performance
Charging is possible with the Mégane E-Tech Optimum charge Variant on AC with three-phase 22 kW. Which guarantees faster charging, especially in inner cities. At the DC fast charging stations you get up to 130 kW at peak. It also achieved this once in our charging test, for this it is necessary to control the charging station via the onboard Google Maps so that the battery is preheated accordingly. The SoC charge level should be below 20 Procentrally located. Otherwise it is around 65 kW maximum without preheating. So similar values to those achieved by the ID.3 with a medium and similarly sized battery, only with the decisive advantage of battery preconditioning.
The Mégane E-Tech is a really great car to drive, it handles the road well and corners very well. Sporty drivers are also welcome hereproWell, after all, Renault once also had a Mégane RS. If the Mégane were still a rear-wheel drive car with its 220 hp of power, I would definitely prefer it to the ID.3 in terms of drive. Otherwise, in my personal opinion, it is clearly above the ID.3 in terms of quality. In terms of driving behavior, it is very similar, if not on par, with the ID.3. In terms of chassis, I would also rate the Mégane as slightly softer.
