Skip advert
Advertisement

New Renault Megane diesel 2016 review

New diesel-powered Renault Megane is stylish and comfortable, but can it keep up with the class best?

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Renault Megane
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

We’ve waited almost nine months to drive the new Renault Megane in the UK, and improvements across the board mean it's right up there challenging the segment leaders for class honours. It looks great, rides well and comes packed with kit, and while a SEAT Leon is better to drive, the Megane offers a compelling all-round package.

Advertisement - Article continues below

We first drove the new Renault Megane back in November last year. However, the need to prioritise left-hand drive models for the home markets meant we’ve had to wait until now to deliver our final verdict on UK cars.

Our first taste on European soil came courtesy of Renault’s flagship Megane GT. It’ll sit atop the range until an even feistier Honda Civic Type R rival touches down at some point in 2018. Here though, we’ve been gifted the more modest dCi 110 in well-equipped Dynamique S Nav trim.

• Best hatchbacks

It’s this very model that Renault bosses expect to account for the majority of sales. The familiar diesel engine is lifted unchanged from the Kadjar crossover, with 108bhp and 260Nm of torque. Our car came fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox, though a seven-speed EDC dual clutch is available as a £1,200 option.

The new Megane certainly looks the part. It stands out like no car in its class and makes the old model look instantly out of date. The neat C-shaped LED daytime running lights, sharp body creases and unique rear light signature give it a degree of road presence missing elsewhere in this segment. Our car’s Flame Red paint looked radiant in the summer sunshine, too.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

EcoSport

2022 Ford

EcoSport

62,384 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £8,400
View EcoSport
Puma

2023 Ford

Puma

29,323 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £13,200
View Puma
308

2020 Peugeot

308

41,700 milesAutomaticDiesel1.5L

Cash £11,200
View 308
Range Rover Evoque

2019 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

42,000 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £18,000
View Range Rover Evoque

In the cabin, Renault has transferred much of its expertise from D-segment models like the not-for-UK Espace and Talisman saloon. That means you get the same portrait-oriented touchscreen on higher-spec cars, as well as a seven-inch display between the dials. Everything is configurable, meaning you can decide which apps or functions to prioritise on the home screen. The display is remarkably responsive and the TomTom sat-nav is easy to use, while things like the climate control and screen heater are easily accessible via a subtle row of buttons. The centre console looks great and trumps anything currently available from the VW Group.

But while the top of the dashboard and doors are coated in soft-touch plastics, it doesn’t take long to uncover some scratchier materials on the side of the transmission tunnel and toward the footwells. It doesn’t feel as solid as a Vauxhall Astra inside, though it’s easily on a par with Korean rivals like the Hyundai i30 and Kia Cee’d.

All cars come well equipped, and Renault claims this new car offers best in class service, maintenance and repair costs. This has allegedly contributed to an eight per cent rise in residual values across the board, over any like-for-like predecessors. Expression+ models get LED daytime ruuning lights, alloy wheels and air-con, while Dynamique Nav versions add a touchscreen, dual zone climate control and rear parking sensors. Move your way through the trims and you’ll add things like a reversing camera and leather upholstery, while every new Megane comes with a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

Under the bonnet you’ll find a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines. Our dCi 110 is an eager performer, with a decent 108bhp making light work of short urban journeys and longer motorway jaunts. It’s pleasingly refined at 70mph, while the standard-fit 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels on our mid-spec test car ensured it rode well without much in the way of road noise. There’s a slight whistle around the mirrors at higher speeds, but that quickly fades with the radio switched on.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The steering is light, which makes parking around town simple and straightforward. It’s not totally devoid of feel, but the Megane could still learn a thing or two from rivals like the SEAT Leon, which manage to better mix manoeuvrability with driver fun. Switch the now familiar Multisense button (standard on Dynamique Nav and above) to Sport and things weight up, but it does little to endow any sense of athleticism. 

That said, if you’re prepared to work the gears, there’s plenty to be had from this entry-level diesel. In our experience, the extra cost of the dCi 130 is hard to justify for the tiny performance gains, with this 110 offering suitable shove from low revs. It tails off towards the red line, but competitor cars suffer a similar fate. A punchier dCi 165 will join the range later, but we’ll reserve judgement on that until we’ve driven all three back-to-back.

But what it lacks in outright handling, it makes up for at the pumps. Our car – on those 17-inch wheels – emits an impressive 96g/km of CO2 and will return 76.4mpg, while even the EDC automatic model slips under the magic sub-100g/km barrier. This further cements the dCi 110 as the engine of choice, as buyers of the dCi 130 will not only travel fewer miles per gallon of fuel, they’ll also pay more company car tax and suffer a £20 fee for annual VED. A Ford Focus ECOnetic is even more frugal, but is six-tenths of a second slower from 0-62mph.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Deputy editor

Richard has been part of the team for over a decade. During this time he has covered a huge amount of news and reviews for Auto Express, as well as being the face of Carbuyer and DrivingElectric on Youtube. In his current role as deputy editor, he is now responsible for keeping our content flowing and managing our team of talented writers.

New & used car deals

MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £7,541 off RRP*Used from £11,990
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £14,480Avg. savings £1,864 off RRP*Used from £6,700
Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,625Avg. savings £2,795 off RRP*Used from £11,895
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £1,672 off RRP*Used from £15,925
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range
MG IM5 - Goodwood front

New MG IM5 has the Tesla Model 3 beaten on price and range

The all-electric IM5 brings new technology and design to the MG line-up
News
10 Jul 2025
Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports
MST Ford Escort - front 3/4

Ford Escort Mexico gets new lease of life with MST Sports

While not officially Fords, the MST Mk1 and Mk2 Sports should drive as sharply as they look
News
7 Jul 2025
New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons
Mazda CX-5 - front

New Mazda CX-5 revealed with fresh looks, more space and far fewer buttons

The Mazda CX-5 has been revolutionised to take on the Nissan Qashqai, Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson
News
10 Jul 2025