Skip advert
Advertisement

Renault Mégane Coupe (2009-2014) review - elegant coupe let down by soggy dynamics

Three-door Megane coupe undercuts VW's Scirocco

Evo rating
Price
from £18,145
  • Handsome and refined cruiser
  • Not a very involving drive

With the new Mégane Coupe, Renault has ditched the challenging bustle-back look of the old three-door Mégane and opted for something more conventionally stylish. And it works too. The Alfa Romeo-esque Coupe has an elegant profile and great road presence, from its deeply sculpted bonnet to its muscular rear haunches. The interior is similarly appealing, with soft-touch surfaces and first-rate fit and finish (not something you could always say of previous Méganes). The seats are well bolstered and comfortable, though you wouldn’t want to be stuck in the back for a long journey.

Advertisement - Article continues below

But what you really want to know is how it drives. We tried the 178bhp petrol turbo, for which Renault claims a 0-62mph time of 7.8sec and a top speed of 142mph. Unfortunately it feels slower than the figures suggest. At 1320kg, it’s no lightweight, but it’s the way the power is delivered that disappoints. There’s just none of the urge you’d expect as the turbo spools up, and once the power peaks at 5500rpm, thrust tails off in an almost diesel-like fashion.

It’s a great motorway cruiser, with relatively high gearing – 27mph per 1000rpm in top. The ride is good, too, with fine small-bump absorption and good body control over fast dips and crests. But Renault claims that this new Mégane is a more sporting drive than the car it replaces (compared with its five-door sibling, the Coupe sits some 12mm lower and has uprated spring and damper rates). The company has also done a fair bit of work to sharpen up the new car’s electric power steering – a variable-assistance set-up, light at parking speeds and weightier as you go faster.

The first thing you notice on high-speed sweepers is just how accurate and precise the steering is, with no need to constantly adjust through the corner. In tighter turns the steering feeds back a useful amount of information about grip levels and surface conditions. When it weights up at speed, it does so in a way that feels natural, and there’s a pleasingly balanced feel to the chassis at high speed.

It’s just not terribly involving. Lift off mid-corner and the line will tighten a smidgen, but there’s little in the way of throttle adjustability. This is a hugely capable car, no question, but just not huge fun. It’ll need a back-to-back drive to be sure, but we’d guess the VW Scirocco, the Coupe’s chief rival, is the better drive.

The Mégane’s good value though. Prices start at £14,745, while this 2.0 TCe Dynamique costs £18,145 and comes with a fine specification, including sat-nav, Bluetooth and a high-end sound system. The rumoured Renaultsport version should be well worth waiting for.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

More on Megane Coupe

Cut-price Renaultsport Megane 275 Cup-S launched
News

Cut-price Renaultsport Megane 275 Cup-S launched

Cup chassis Cup-S contrasts spec-heavy Nav to broaden RS Megane's appeal
1 Sep 2015
Renault Megane update
Renault Megane yellow
News

Renault Megane update

The Renault Megane has been updated, with a reveal at the Frankfurt motor show 2013. Pictures and details here
10 Sep 2013
Renault Megane 265 Cup review
Renault Megane Red Bull RB8 Racing
Reviews

Renault Megane 265 Cup review

The Renault Megane RS gets the power and torque of the limited-edition Trophy plus a range of spec upgrades, plus an F1-inspired Red Bull special edit…
8 Aug 2013
Skip advert
Advertisement
Renaultsport Megane Red Bull
Renaultsport Megane Red Bull front
News

Renaultsport Megane Red Bull

Renault reveals prices and specs of its Megane Renaultsport Red Bull RB8 Racing hot hatch
22 Jul 2013
Alpine No36 ELMS testing
Alpine No36 Le Mans prototype racing car
News

Alpine No36 ELMS testing

The Alpine No36 Le Mans prototype impresses on its first outing in testing at Paul Ricard
2 Apr 2013
Subaru BRZ group test
Subaru BRZ vs Nissan 370Z, Mazda MX-5 and Renault Megane 265
Group tests

Subaru BRZ group test

One of 2012's most important cars - the Subaru BRZ - tackles rivals from Mazda, Nissan and Renaultsport
19 Dec 2012
Focus ST vs Astra VXR video
2012 Ford Focus ST vs Vauxhall Astra VXR video
Videos

Focus ST vs Astra VXR video

Which all-new hot hatchback is faster on circuit, the Ford Focus ST or Vauxhall Astra VXR? This Track Battle video reveals all
16 Aug 2012
K-Tec 300bhp Megane
K-Tec Racing 300bhp RenaultSport Megane
News

K-Tec 300bhp Megane

A new K-Tec ECU upgrade for the Megane 265 Trophy takes the potent hot-hatch past the 300bhp barrier.
9 Aug 2012
Megane vs Astra video
Renault Megane 265 vs Vauxhall Astra VXR video
Videos

Megane vs Astra video

Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup or new Vauxhall Astra VXR, which is faster? This drag race video should help find out...
16 Jul 2012
Skip advert
Advertisement
Alpine A110-50 concept car
Renault Alpine A110-50 concept car
News

Alpine A110-50 concept car

Official pictures and details of the reborn Renault Alpine, the stunning 395bhp A110-50 concept car
25 May 2012
Renault Alpine concept
Renault Alpine A110-50 concept leaks
News

Renault Alpine concept

First image, and short video, of the Renault Alpine A110-50 concept car leaks ahead of its Monaco Grand Prix debut
23 May 2012
Skip advert
Advertisement
Subaru BRZ v Megane Trophy
Subaru BRZ coupe and Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy on track
Videos

Subaru BRZ v Megane Trophy

It's Subaru BRZ versus Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy, rear-drive versus front-drive, in our latest track test video
4 May 2012
Renault Megane 265 Cup video
Renaultsport Megane 265 Cup red grille
Videos

Renault Megane 265 Cup video

The 2012 Renaultsport Megane hot hatch gets the power and torque of the limited-edition 265 Trophy. Video review here
21 Mar 2012
Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy
Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy | evo
Awards

Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy

2 Nov 2011
Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy review
Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy
Reviews

Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy review

We review the front-drive Nurburgring lap record holder, the Renaultsport Megane 265 Trophy.
12 Oct 2011
Skip advert
Advertisement
Renaultsport Megane 265 video
Renaultsport Megane
Videos

Renaultsport Megane 265 video

Renaultsport releases footage of new Megane 265 Trophy hot hatch on track weeks before launch
9 Jun 2011
Clio V6 v Megane 250 track video
Renault Clio V6 v Renault Megane 250 Cup track battle video
Videos

Clio V6 v Megane 250 track video

The Renaultsport Clio V6 255 and Megane 250 Cup have near identical power-to-weight figures. So which is the best on track? Report, pictures and video
11 Apr 2011
Police Megane 250 Cup
Police Renault Megane 250
News

Police Megane 250 Cup

Another 'European Police get cool car' picture gallery: Gendarmes receive Renaultsport Megane 250 Cups
17 Feb 2011
Renault Megane GT review
Renault Megane GT
Reviews

Renault Megane GT review

'Warm hatch' version of coupe Megane, 178bhp turbo 2-litre, 0-62mph in 7.8sec
1 Jan 2011
Rally Renault Megane
Renaultsport Megane N4 rally car
News

Rally Renault Megane

Renault unveils its rally ready 266bhp Renaultsport Megane 250. A harder hot hatch coming?
9 Dec 2010
Renault Megane 250 Cup
Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup
Long term tests

Renault Megane 250 Cup

Meaden's Megane 250 Cup heads off for some trackday fun at the mighty Spa Francorchamps
23 Aug 2010
Skip advert
Advertisement
Renault Megane 250 Cup
Renaultsport Megane 250 Cup
Long term tests

Renault Megane 250 Cup

Richard Meaden's new long termer - a Cup-spec Renaultsport Megane 250 hot hatch - has arrived. Full gallery and report
23 Jul 2010
Hot hatch special
VW Golf GTI
News

Hot hatch special

Chris Harris's Renaultsport Megane 250 v Ford Focus RS video kicks off evo's hot hatch celebration
15 Dec 2009