The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech takes the design ethos of the Megane hatchback and offers it some high-riding crossover love. However it’s what’s beneath the pores and skin of this trendy French five-door that helps it stand out.
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There’s no ICE in sight, with the Megane E-Tech as a substitute using an electrical motor as a part of its devoted electrical automobile structure.
Whereas its price ticket has it competing with the Tesla Mannequin Y and BYD Atto 3 – the 2 high promoting electrical SUVs – it’s extra more likely to attraction to these looking for the Fiat 500e, Mini Electrical and Cupra Born.
Renault Megane E-Tech worth and tools
On-sale now and priced from $64,990 plus on-road prices, the 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech comes as a single-motor mannequin with a 60kWh battery pack.
There’s dual-zone air flow, wi-fi cellphone charging, heated entrance seats, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting and an inside rear imaginative and prescient mirror that may flip right into a mirror.
There’s additionally pretend leather-based trim on the perimeters and backs of the seats and on the doorways, though you’re adjusting the seats manually.
Plus there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9.0-inch central infotainment display screen, the latter tilted in the direction of the driving force. It additionally incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
2024 Renault Megane E-tech: what we predict
It’s all in regards to the look with the Megane E-Tech. There’s not as a lot area as one thing like a Mannequin Y – but it surely seems to be cool!
And for singles and {couples} there’s oodles of area up entrance.
These within the again aren’t as properly catered for. Foot room is tight and whereas there are three seats they’d need to be good mates to all pack in.
The Megane E-Tech is superbly introduced, too, partly as a result of high quality finishes and supplies – up entrance no less than. There’s 28kg of recycled plastics and a number of the textures make for an fascinating break to the formulaic greys that seem so usually.
These within the rear don’t get the identical thoughtfulness, although. The ambient lighting and suede-like finishes on the doorways up entrance are conspicuously absent.
On the highway, the only electrical motor driving the entrance wheels makes use of a present and coils to create the required electrical discipline (most EVs have a heavier motor with a everlasting magnet).
It’s all about effectivity, though the compromise will be in the way in which it delivers the ability.
The Megane E-Tech makes 160kW and 300Nm, which is completely acceptable, but it surely lacks the preliminary enthusiastic thrust of most EVs, as a substitute giving a extra relaxed take-off.
Even so, a moist floor can nonetheless set off the traction management because the entrance wheels struggle for grip; it’s a lot much less of a problem within the dry.
And the Megane E-Tech is mostly enjoyable to punt round, with sharp steering and agile manners. At only one.7 tonnes (yep, that’s featherweight by EV requirements!) it feels vaguely athletic and is a simple EV to dwell with.
2024 Renault Megane E-Tech verdict
The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech has a lot of loveable qualities, with styling chief amongst them, though we’d prefer to see the eye to element within the entrance of the cabin stream by means of rearward.
That it additionally does its electrical driving a tad in another way to others is a part of its stylish appeal.
Measured towards class leaders such because the Tesla Mannequin Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 it stumbles with worth and area.
However towards design-focused EV options such because the Mini Electrical, Fiat 500e and Cupra Born it fights again with some French aptitude and extra of the on a regular basis sensibilities that sees it straddle some center floor.
However identical to a modern purse doesn’t should be the most important and the most effective, the Megane E-Tech manages to fit right into a useful area of interest within the booming EV market.
Rating: 3.5/5
2024 Renault Megane E-Tech specs:
Worth: $64,990 plus on-roads
Fundamentals: EV, 5 seats, 5 doorways, mid-sized crossover, FWD
Vary: 454km (WLTP)
Battery capability: 60kWh
Battery guarantee: 8 years/160,000km
Power consumption: 15.6kWh/100km
Motors: 1 entrance 160kW/300Nm
AC charging: 7.4kW, Kind 2 plug
DC charging: 130kW, CCS combo plug
0-100km/h: 7.4 seconds