Renault Megane C-C review

With its retractable glass roof, the Renault Megane CC is ideal for getting the best out of any weather condition. Its punchy 2.0 litre diesel engine offers impressive power and torque, however a soft ride and chunky kerbweight lets it down on country lanes. A high level of equipment, including 17 inch alloys, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic headlights and wipers, cruise control and TomTom satellite navigation come as standard, which makes this car good value, as prices start from just nder £18,500.

A glass roof isn't the lightest thing carry around, and for a car that has sporty aspirations, this extra weight is sadly accentuated when cornering with the roof down. Nevertheless, a decent range of engines - topped by the 158 bhp 2.0-litre diesel - gives the Megane CC a competitive driving edge and more than enough pace. Excessive wind noise is also disappointing, although a glass wind deflector situated between the two rear headrests significantly reduces buffeting when the top is down. A good driving position is assured by plenty of seat and steering wheel adjustment, and the cabin controls are easy to use.

The main buyer attraction of the Megane CC is its affordable price. The base model is roughly a quarter cheaper than the Volkswagen Eos, and the most expensive version of the Megane is cheaper than the most reasonable Eos. The Coupe Cabriolet offers buyers a lot of equipment as standard, and additional options are reasonably priced, although £75 for the emergency spare wheel is somewhat cheeky. With seven different engines to choose from, there is scope to get the right balance between efficiency and performance. The leanest engine is the 1.5 dCi 110 diesel, which offers close to 60 mpg fuel consumption and 124 CO2 g/km emissions.

Renault was the first manufacturer to offer a panoramic glass roof on its cabriolet in 2004, and this still sets the Megane CC apart from class competitors, as only the Volkswagen Eos offers something similar. Compared to the conservative looks of the five-door hatchback Megane, the CC looks quite sporty. In GT Line TomTom specification, this is accentuated by a special bodykit and dual-tone upholstery on the seats. High-grade materials used in the cabin complete the CC and give it a premium feel, despite its good value price tag.

The biggest drawback with the Megane CC is a near total lack of space in the back. Legroom is practically non-existent and headroom is very cramped, therefore it can be a transport solution for parents with young children, but not really for four adults. The reason for this is an absolutely massive 417-litre boot that humbles the BMW 3-Series Convertible, and even rivals some small estates. Even when the roof is down this is still 217 litres, which is more than enough for shopping or even golf clubs. The Megane's hands-free Key Card is a brilliant system and very practical for everyday use, as it locks the car as you walk away, and unlocks again as soon as you pull a doorhandle.

The second series of the Renault Megane had the highest rate of MoT failures in the UK for cars first taking the test in 2007, which has damaged the French manufacturer's reputation. However, this shortcoming made Renault spend more time on pre-launch testing of the MkIII, which can only benefit the CC. As for safety, it has a five-star Euro NCAP crash test rating. All models come with front, side and thorax airbags as standard, along with stability control. The CC also has front seat airbags, which are designed to stop you slipping under the seatbelts. All models have deadlocks and an alarm to deter thieves. Electronic stability control is also a standard feature.