Renault Megane Sport Tourer review

Compared with the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports and petrol engined Skoda Octavia Estate, the Renault Megané Sport Tourer 1.3 TCe’s CO2 emissions are on the high side. What’s more, the 1.5 dCi diesel attracts the 4% surcharge for non-RDE2 compliance, pushing BIK company car tax rates to only 1% lower than the petrol. In this regard, the E-Tech PHEV is much more impressive; its low CO2 emissions and 30 mile electric range puts it in the same BIK band as the Peugeot 508 SW and Skoda Superb estate plug-ins, and one band lower than the Kia Ceed Sportswagon PHEV. 

Fuel economy for the diesel is competitive for the class, but the petrol is less efficient. As is the case with all plug-in hybrids, rhe E-Tech’s claimed 217.3mpg should be taken with a pinch of salt; you could match or even beat that figure if you're travelling predominantly on electricity, but the numbers will rapidly tumble on longer journeys on which the petrol engine is used a lot more.  

Every new Renault carries a five-year warranty with no mileage limit for the first two years, but a 100,000 limit applies thereafter. Renault also provides three years (or 60,000 miles) of roadside assistance cover. The Megané ST needs a service every 18,000 miles; roughly on a par with most of its rivals. Unfortunately Renault didn’t perform very well at all in the 2019 What Car? Reliability Survey, finishing 30th out of 31 manufacturers.

Pricing too is in line with rivals; the E-Tech hybrid virtually matches the Ceed Sportwagon PHEV. And, while leasing a Megané can work out more expensive per month than its rivals, private buyers will find that PCP finance can be very competitive. One area where the Megané excels is on the amount of standard equipment you get over its nearest rivals. Iconic gets plenty of kit, including dual-zone climate control, 16in alloy wheels, keyless entry and start, cruise control and the infotainment system described earlier.

We’d upgrade to RS Line trim, though; it gives you the upgraded infotainment system and rear parking camera we’ve mentioned, but mainly because you get automatic emergency braking (AEB). We consider this a vital safety system, and one that’s well worth having alongside the lane-departure warning and traffic sign recognition systems that come standard with Iconic trim. 

Speaking of safety, it’s hard to directly compare Megané ST with newer rivals, as it was tested by Euro NCAP in 2015 under less strict conditions than apply today. Looking at its performance, though, it does a good job of protecting front seat occupants from injury.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here