Renault Megane Sedan Review: Sedan with French Flair

For a French carmaker, Renault seems to have a particular sensitivity to the Asian markets. The prime example of this sensitivity is the sedan model in the Megane range – very consistently since the Renault 12 from the late 60s, there has always been a sedan model in the sub-1.6-litre segment. This can’t be said for rival French brands such as Peugeot or Citroen, or other European brands such as Fiat and Opel, that do not see the need for a mid-sized 4-door sedan model. While hatchbacks may dominate the 1.6-litre segment in Europe, it is the notchback 4-door sedan that dominates in Asia, and it is heartening to see the extra effort Renault has spent on making a sedan model for the Megane range.

Firstly, it doesn’t sit on the same wheelbase as the rest of the range, which consist largely of hatchbacks, but has in fact one that has been stretched by 61mm to 2686mm. This means the Megane sedan gets longer rear doors and doesn’t suffer from the awkward and ‘after thought’ syndrome that afflicts other sedans that share the same wheelbase with their hatchback counterparts. This extra expense has paid off, not only because it gives the Megane sedan one of the longest wheelbases in its class, which translates to a spacious cabin, but it has also become one of the best-selling French cars in Singapore. The other positive aspect of the Megane sedan, at least for the Singapore market, is that it is well-equipped. The rear passengers in particular, are very well looked after. Not only are the seats generously proportioned and comfortable, the rear cabin appears to be very thoughtfully designed. Lift the central armrest and a storage area opens up, and it even comes with clips to secure pens or styluses. There are also numerous storage areas – bins under the armrest at each door, an under floor compartment, and a box in the rear shelf. Those in the rear will also appreciate the numerous sunscreens around them – one for the rear windscreen, and one each for each rear door. Renault seems to have out done the Japanese when it comes to equipment and convenience features. If perhaps one expects the Megane Sedan, as it is a Renault, and French, to have comfortable cabins, it is a pleasant surprise to see that the driver has not been forgotten either. In many ways the Megane is a very sensual car, not in the conventional sense, but in a charmingly French manner: Push a button, and the ignition starts, push another button to switch on the radio or adjust the air-conditioning, feel the piping on the leather-wrapped steering, or tug gently on the satellite controls for the hi-fi system on the steering column – everything works with a precision and well-oiled smoothness that just reeks of class and sophistication.

It’s certainly something that one does not expect from a French carmaker, and especially at the Megane’s price-range. Aesthetically as well, the touches of brushed metallic surfaces at the armrest and around the instruments are something that one finds on a more expensive car. The throttle design for the handbrake is also quite eye-catching, and its practical too – it allows for a more spacious centre console box. In addition to these already high-specs, the 2.0-litre Megane comes with a digital climate control and a power-operated glass sunroof. The other ‘extra’, of course, is the additional power that the 2.0-litre engine provides over the standard 1.6-litre. The engines output is up by 25bhp to 135bhp, and the engine achieves this at a slightly lower engine speed. Torque is also up, from 151Nm to 191Nm, and this is achieved at just 3750rpm instead of 4250rpm.

This makes the 2.0-litre a much more relaxed car to drive, especially around town and when moving off from a standing start. The engine itself is not absolutely silent, and when pushed makes a nice, throaty Alfa-like rumble. Here again, the Megane appeals to one’s senses, and does not try to make everything smooth and anodyne. As one expects from a more powerful engine in a 1.6-litre body, the 2.0-litre is a very relaxed cruiser, and with the standard cruise control enabled, makes it an ideal car a long distance drive. Both the 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre Megane models come with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and its one of these highly-intelligent ones that have numerous programmed modes and sophisticated software that can tell which mode to go into by sensing inputs from the driver’s right foot. It all works very well, and the driver certainly knows the transmission is very intelligent – going down an expressway ramp for example, the Megane changes down to third, the moment the right foot is off the accelerator, and to make sure the driver knows this has happened, the gearbox makes this change down quite obvious. Its almost as if the transmission was designed to provide feedback, instead of trying to reduce and dampen all sensations – its that sensual aspect again, and it works. Being intelligent has its problems though, and the transmission is sometimes caught off-guard, and in the wrong mode. If for example one has been driving in a relaxed manner on the highway, and you’ve filtered into a turn-off, and then need to accelerate quickly to join the locate road. The transmission hasn’t yet figured out that you need the an extra effort to merge with the traffic, and it remains in cruising mode for just a split second before it understands from your right foot that you need more oomph. It’s a smart transmission, but it hasn’t developed mind-reading or road-reading ability – yet.

The other impressive aspect of Renault having a 2.0-litre version of the Megane sedan is timeliness. It seems to be a trend for sedans that have previously been just 1.6-litre models, to move up-market into the 2.0-litre segment. Cars like the Honda Civic and Nissan Sylphy (replacement for the Sunny), were previously considered 1.5- or 1.6-litre family sedans, now have the option of having a 2.0-litre powerplant. Not to be left out, Renault has a 2.0-litre model for the Megane sedan as well. Will the Megane 2.0-litre replace the 1.6 as the volume seller? As with the other new 2.0-litre newcomers, not likely – there still seems to be a ‘glass ceiling’ at 1.6-litres for most people. On the other hand, the larger engine does seem to suit the Megane better, and all it takes is a short spin for anyone to come to this conclusion.

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Credits: Justin Lee