Renault Megane GT-Line Premium 2014 Review

The new Renault Mégane GT-Line offers French flair and an extensive kit list for a decent price. Positioned as a tempting and sensible alternative in the small car segment, the Mégane does, however, present with a few sticking points that continue to hinder its run up the sales ladder.

On test, the Mégane Wagon GT-Line Premium TCe 130 is powered by a 1.2-litre four cylinder turbo-petrol engine which produces 97kW and 205Nm. It’s the least powerful in the three-engine Mégane line-up, but is balanced by generous trim and equipment levels, as well as a stylish body kit and alloy wheels.

Our test vehicle is mated to Renault’s six-speed dual-clutch transmission (or Efficient Dual Clutch in Renault parlance), which is the only option available once you move beyond the entry level Authenique.

The EDC unit is a valid alternative to a regular automatic transmission, maintaining some of the liveliness experienced from a manual gearbox once up and running. However, there is some step-off lag and at low speeds the shifts are far from assertive.

Sipping premium fuel, the turbocharged Mégane returned an average consumption of around 8.0L/100km (the official ADR Combined figure is 5.6).

Stiffer springs and a lowered suspension, part of the GT-Line package, deliver a noticeably rigid ride, bringing a more sporting dynamic to the road. Enthusiast drivers will enjoy the robust handling, though it's bad news for love handles and delicate cargo.

Day to day, the Mégane is pretty easy to live with and around town, the dual-clutch tranny does its job with minimal fuss. The steering is weighty enough to give a great sense of connection with the road, but not so much that it feels like hard work.

And the GT-Line does not fall short on kit, either. From the moment you slip inside, there’s a sporting opulence that the French carmaker nails. It’s no boy-racer, but rather posh and performance-inspired; most likely endearing itself to male and female buyers alike.

There’s considerable tech is on offer in our GT-Line Premium, such as push button engine start, cruise control and speed limiter, daytime running lights, Bluetooth with audio streaming, front and rear parking sensors, rear-view camera, dual-zone climate control and Tom Tom sat-nav – all as standard.

We liked the 7.0-inch touchscreen and the beautifully tactile central control hub. One dial flanked by a variety of buttons for phone, audio and map makes the Mégane's various infotainment options simple to navigate. It also alleviates some of the ergonomic flaws found in the long-criticised steering column-mounted audio control device.

The Mégane is a very comfortable small car with grey leather heated seats providing good support on longer trips – and during spirited cornering. The dual panoramic sunroof in our test vehicle was a welcome inclusion, too, though as a driver you can’t quite reach the cover over the second row, no matter how many times your children may demand such.

The wagon body shape increases this vehicles versatility and improves rearward visibility over the hatch. Boot space is generous at 524 litres, while the 60:40 split fold seat opens an incredibly useful 1600 litres of cargo space.

All variants of the Mégane are backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, five years’ roadside assist and a capped-price servicing program. On the downside it scores only a three-star EuroNCAP safety rating, but does include six airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability control and emergency brake assist. [Update: since the initial publication of this review, Megane has been upgraded to four-star EuroNCAP safety rating after specification changes related to seat belt reminders].

The Renault Mégane GT-Line Premium delivers on its promise of refined European design amidst a more sporty character. Though depending on your priorities – especially on the safety front – that may not be enough to get the purchase over the line...