RENAULT MEGANE E-TECH HATCHBACK EV60 160kW Techno Esprit Alpine 60kWh 5dr Auto

Renault's Megane E-Tech Electric might well redefine what you imagine an affordable family Hatch EV to be. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

It's took a long time for Renault to deliver a proper follow-up to its ZOE EV, but the Megane E-Tech Electric was worth the wait. Family hatch-segment EVs often tend to be either rather boring or ever-so-slightly weird, but this one's stylish and engaging. A new kind of Renault for a very different era.

Background

Who would have forecast back in 2012 when Renault launched its little ZOE full EV that it would be a full decade before we saw another mainstream Renault passenger car EV product in our showrooms. Yet that's what's happened, as the brand over-stretched itself and has been overtaken by nearly all its volume rivals in the electric vehicle segment. But the fightback starts here with this car, the Megane E-Tech. It sits on the same CMF-EV platform used by the Nissan Ariya and should reach a large audience. Thanks to the success of the ZOE, one in five Renaults sold in Europe has been electric. But this is what Renault calls a '2nd generation' EV, it's development rushed through by the brand's ambitious CEO Luca de Meo, who likes to describe this as 'the GTI of EVs'.

Driving Experience

Renault promises that this car's sporty looks will translate into a sporty drive and there's lots about the design and engineering of this model to suggest that might translate into reality on the tarmac. The new power steering system has a super-sharp 12:1 ratio. And there's an uber-thin 60kWh battery that, along with a particularly light electric motor, allows this Renault to save about 100kgs in weight over its rivals and can be mounted even lower in the chassis than it would normally be in an EV. That platform is the Nissan Renault Alliance group's stiff CMF-EV set-up, notable here because it mounts the drive motor at the front. Rival VW Group EVs from Volkswagen, CUPRA and Skoda sit it at the back. This Megane's single front motor produces 216bhp of total output, the highest in the segment, though if you use too much of that, you won't get near the quoted range figure (between 279 and 285 miles, depending on trim). In fact we didn't even manage to get within 80% of that on this test, even with maximum brake regen selected from the steering wheel paddles. And the most frugal 'MySense' drive mode selected (the others are 'Comfort', 'Perso' and 'Sport'). It's tempting to use a bit of that power because unlike most of its rivals, this Renault's quite an engaging little thing to punt about. Surprisingly (given the huge 20-inch wheels most variants have), the ride's OK too - and refinement's exemplary by segment standards. Renault now includes One Pedal driving as standard across the range. By optimising regenerative braking, the vehicle decelerates smoothly when the driver releases the accelerator pedal, coming to a stop without the driver having to apply the brake.

Design and Build

Looks good doesn't it? Apparently what we have here was originally going to be the performance version of this car, but designer Laurens van den Acker found that everyone liked it so much that he decided to standardise the 'Evoque'-style look across the whole Megane E-Tech range. It's based visually on the Megane eVision concept car unveiled in 2020 and incorporates the brand's familiar C-shaped headlamps, though with the lower section of the 'C' extended to run a reverse line of light across the top of the bumper. The nose gets Renault's latest art deco corporate badge and if you avoid base trim, both the front and rear lights will be of the LED variety, plus there are flush-fitting electric front door handles and you get big wheels of 18 or 20-inches depending on spec. Inside, it's certainly all very 'digi-tech' and on-trend, Renault claiming inspiration here from the world of home furniture. Cosy upholstering and lots of different recycled surfaces surround the glossy 'OpenR' fascia screen panel, what the brand calls this cabin's 'crowning jewel', made up of a 12.3-inch instrument display and a 9-inch central monitor. That centre screen claims to deliver a new level of media connectivity for this class of car, using an Android Automotive system developed with Google. It'll be periodically updated over-the-air and you'll get direct access to helpful apps and services like Google Maps and Google Play, plus you can link into your Google account and there's Google Assistant voice control. Other cabin design features include a curiously-shaped steering wheel, superbly comfortable seats and an enormous centre storage console beneath the dash which flows back between the two front two chairs. All-round visibility might be something you'll have to adapt to a bit, thanks to the narrow glass area, the letterbox-shaped rear screen and the considerable rear C-pillars. But there are some lovely trimming touches and most models get smart double yellow-stitched synthetic leather upholstery. A wheelbase length increase of 20mm over a conventional Megane means there's little more space in the back than you might expect. And there's a reasonably sized 440-litre boot, though with quite a high lip.

Market and Model

Pricing here now starts from around £32,500, the fee these days for an ambitious full-EV hatch and a big saving on an identically-engineered (but slightly larger) Nissan Ariya. Megane E-Tech Electric customers can choose from three well-equipped models - 'techno', 'techno esprit Alpine' and range-topping 'iconic esprit Alpine' - with each benefitting from a class-leading digital experience with a 12.3-inch driver information display, a 9-inch multimedia display and Android Automotive OS with integrated Google services. The 'techno' version starts the range with its 18-inch 'Oston' alloy wheels, full-LED headlights, heated steering wheel and front seats, rear view camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and a range of connected services including over-the-air software updates. The Megane E-Tech features up to 26 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including distance warning alert, traffic sign recognition, automatic emergency braking with junction assist, cruise control with a speed limiter, and emergency lane keeping assist with oncoming traffic and road-edge detection. A Vehicle-to-load (V2L) adaptor is now included as standard across the range to power mains devices wherever you are. And there's no extra cost for your choice of paint colour. The mid-range 'techno esprit Alpine' model, priced from around £35,500, goes further with the addition of adaptive cruise control with a speed limiter and lane centring, plus blind spot recognition and intervention, along with rear cross traffic alert with rear automatic braking. The 'techno's exterior is marked out by full-adaptive LED headlights, front and rear signature lighting and dynamic turn signals. The interior, meanwhile, gains upholstery made from recycled materials, multi-sense customised driving modes with 48-colour interior ambient lighting, dual-zone climate control, automatic windscreen wipers, wireless smartphone charging and the full range of Google services including Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play store. At the top of the range, the 'iconic esprit Alpine' version, priced at around £37,000, aims to stand out, with 20-inch 'Enos' alloy wheels and a gold F1 blade, while the interior gains a 9-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, a smart rear-view mirror and an Around View 3D camera system.

Cost of Ownership

We mentioned driving range in our 'Driving Experience' section - between 279 and 285 miles for this car's 60kWh EV60 drivetrain (with the top figure recorded by the base 'techno' version). You'll need very proactive use of the various provided regenerative braking modes to match those figures. Bear in mind that as usual with electric vehicles, the range figure just quoted will vary a great deal depending on the type of road you're on and the prevailing weather. If you were to drive this car exclusively on the highway in really cold weather, you might find yourself not getting much more than around 155 miles of range from it. But you'd encounter similar issues with every other EV in this segment. And this one does at least include a standard heat pump to maximise range in cold conditions, an expensive extra on many rivals. The car comes with an 11kW on-board charger and can fast DC public charge at up to 130kW. The car can draw about 186 miles of range in around half an hour from a 130kW DC charger. Around eight hours of charging from a 7.4kW home charger will give you around 248 miles of range. The brand's 'Plug & Charge' compatibility is now included, which makes charging as simple as plugging-in. Compatible chargers will recognise the car as soon as you plug-in, authorising the payment automatically and starting the charging process instantly. The Plug & Charge system is included in a provided Mobilize Charge Pass, with compatible chargers identified in the My Renault app and the vehicle's OpenR Link display.

Summary

It's indisputable that Renault set off too early with full-electric vehicle development, trying to sell the market cars it wasn't ready for and haemorrhaging money in the process. Which is why it's taken so long for a second mainstream EV car model to appear from the brand. But we reckon this Megane E-Tech was worth the wait. It looks and feels more sophisticated and stylish than its VW Group and Korean class rivals; if you want a LEAF, Kia Niro EV or Volkswagen ID.3-class EV hatch, this one really has to be on your shopping list. At a stroke, for the first time in a long time, the Megane E-Tech makes Renault seem more credible force in the mainstream European market. And we're really quite intrigued by the thought of just how good a future high-performance Renaultsport version might be. For the time being though, what we've got is a car that signals Renault back on track.

Body Glass

Electric one-touch front and rear windows with anti pinch function

Front intermittent wipers

Heated rear window

Rear window defroster

Rear wiper

Tinted rear windows

Brakes

Active emergency braking system - Urban and pedestrian/cyclist

Anti-lock braking system (ABS)

Brake energy recuperation

Electric parking brake

Electronic Stability Programme

Hill start assist

Multi collision braking system

Traction control

Carpets/Rugs

Carpets - Blue

Communication

Bluetooth

Wireless smartphone replication with apple carplay and android auto

Driver Aids

Active driver assist

Ecomode function

My safety switch: shortcut to personalise configuration of driving aids

Saftey shield [button for personalisation configuration of key ADAS features]

Tailgate

Voice control for navigation system with built in google assistant

Wireless phone charger

Driver Convenience

Blind spot recognition and rear detection

Driver attention alert system

Driver drowsiness alert system

Emergency lane keep assist including solid line, oncoming traffic and road edge detection

Engine start button

Front safe stopping distance warning

Front, rear and side parking sensors

Intelligent contextual adaptive cruise control

Intelligent speed assistance

Intelligent speed assistance include traffic sign recognition with speed alert

Lane centering assist

Lane change warning

Lane departure warning

MULTISENSE driving modes with 48 ambient lighting colours

Power assisted steering

QR code fireman access for technical information

Qrescue

Rear cross traffic alert with rear active emergency braking system

Rear view camera

Speed limiter

Steering wheel mounted cruise control

Driver Information

12.3" driver information display cluster

12" OpenR link touchscreen with google built-in including navigation

Connected services including over the air updates

Digital owner's manual

e-Call automatic emergency assist

Exterior temperature display

Miles per hour configuration

On board diagnostics

Service interval indicator

Speed limit display

Trip computer

Driving Mirrors

Auto-tilting and folding wing mirrors with puddle lamp

Black wing mirrors

Door mirrors with memory function

Frameless auto dimming rear view mirror with brightness adapt

Frameless auto-dimming rear view mirror with brightness adapt and rain sensor

Heated door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Fabric upper dashboard

Entertainment

2 front and 2 rear USB-C ports

Arkamys audio system with 6 speakers

DAB radio

Exterior Body Features

Esprit Alpine badge

Esprit alpine exterior styling

Matte grey F1 blade

Metallic paint

Rear side wing doors

Shark fin antenna

Exterior Lights

3rd brake light

Automatic headlights + automatic windscreen wipers

Automatic high/low beam

Full led headlights with adaptive led front and rear fog lights (afs)

LED daytime running lights

Moirage front and rear signature lighting with dynamic turn

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Heat pump

Two zone automatic climate control with humidity senor and air recycling

Interior Features

12V socket in front

Blue inserts in door panel

Blue interior storage compartments

Central multimedia display

Coat hooks

Door sill protectors

Esprit alpine interior styling

Fabric/recycled mesh upholstery

Grained armrest in rear doors

Grey headlining

Heated steering wheel

High centre console with sliding armrest and storage

Luggage compartment cover

Manual height and reach adjustable steering wheel

Multifunction steering wheel

Paddle shift levers for regenerative braking with one pedal driving

Synthetic leather steering wheel

Underfloor storage in boot

Interior Lights

Interior ambient lighting

Luggage compartment light

Safety

3x3 point rear seat belts

Adjustable driver and passenger safety seat belts

Approaching vehicle sound for pedestrians

Blue trim seatbelts on front seats

Curtain airbags

Distance warning alert

Driver and front passenger airbags

Driver and front passenger and 3 rear passengers seatbelt reminder

Driver and passenger, front and side airbag deactivation

Emergency door unlock

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Occupant safe exit

Rear window and door child locking function

Seatbelt load limiter

Side airbags

Tyre pressure warning light

Seats

3 rear head restraints

3 seat bench in 2nd row

6 way electric front seats with 2 way lumbar and massage function on driver seat

Central rear headrest

Driver and passenger seats with backrest inclination, height and longitudinal adjustment (6 combinations)

Front head restraints

Front seat back map pockets

Heated front seats

ISOFIX child seat fixing points on rear outermost seats

Single front passenger seat

Sporty seats

Security

Alarm

Hands free key card with keyless entry

Immobiliser

Locking wheel nuts

Remote central locking

Super locking system

Vehicle Charging

AC11 5m mode 3 charging cable

AC11 charging with up to DC130

Battery pre conditioning for DC charging

Bi-directional charge adapter [V2L]

Bi-directional functionality - power to object [V2L]

SD pyro switch - disconnect the battery from high-voltage network to ensure safety as needed

Wheels - Alloy

20" Esprit alpine alloys wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tool kit

Tyre inflation kit

Electric Vehicle Data

Battery Capacity % guaranteed under warranty: 70

Battery Capacity in kWh: 60

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Charge Time (Mins): 1828

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 1 - Power Supply - kW: 2.3

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Charge Time (Mins): 551

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 2 - Power Supply - kW: 7.4

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Charge Time (Mins): 385

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 3 - Power Supply - kW: 11

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Charge Time (Mins): 73

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Percentage Change: 0-100

Battery Charging Scenario 4 - Power Supply - kW: 130

Battery Leased: 0

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Charging Port Location: Right Side Front

Coupler/Connector Type: CCS Type 2

Maximum Charging Rate - kW: 130

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers Battery warranty - Years: 8

Usable Battery Capacity: 60

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - City: 11.8

WLTP - EC (kWh/100km) - Comb: 15.4

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - City: 5.3

WLTP - EC (miles/kWh) - Comb: 4

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - City: 591

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (km) - Comb: 451

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - City: 367

WLTP - Pure Electric Range (miles) - Comb: 280

Emissions - ICE

CO: N

CO2 (g/km): 0

HC: N

HC+NOx: N

Noise Level dB(A): 64

NOx: N

Particles: N

Standard Emissions: N

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: N

Catalytic Convertor: N

CC: 1

Compression Ratio: [not available]

Cylinder Layout: N

Cylinders: N

Cylinders - Bore (mm): N

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): N

Engine Code: N

Engine Layout: N

Fuel Delivery: N

Gears: 1 SPEED

Number of Valves: N

Transmission: AUTO

Fuel Consumption - ICE

EC Combined (mpg): N

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: N

EC Extra Urban (mpg): N

EC Urban (mpg): N

General

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: No

Badge Engine CC: 0.0

Badge Power: 220

Based On ID: N

Coin Description: EV60 160kW 60kWh

Coin Series: Techno Esprit Alpine

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Generation Mark: 1

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 26E

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: 85

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: 88

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: 5

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: 65

NCAP Safety Assist %: 79

Service Interval Frequency - Months: 12

Service Interval Mileage: 18000

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 100000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Timing Belt Interval Frequency - Months: N

Timing Belt Interval Mileage: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Performance

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

0 to 62 mph (secs): 7.5

Engine Power - BHP: 217

Engine Power - KW: 160

Engine Power - PS: No

Engine Power - RPM: 5473

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 221

Engine Torque - MKG: 30.6

Engine Torque - NM: 300

Engine Torque - RPM: 100

Top Speed: 99

Test Cycles

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

RDE Certification Level: N/A

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 215/45 R20

Tyre Size Rear: 215/45 R20

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Wheel Style: Esprit Alpine

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1505

Length: 4200

Wheelbase: 2685

Width: 1860

Width (including mirrors): 2055

Weight and Capacities

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): N

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2158

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): 1332

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 440

Max. Loading Weight: 450

Max. Roof Load: 80

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: 900

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: 750

Minimum Kerbweight: 1708

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 10.4

Exterior Body Features

Additional two tone metallic paint

Two-tone metallic paint

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Ceramic grey

Metallic - Diamond black

Metallic - Shadow grey

Paint - Two Tone

Additional two-tone metallic - Matte shadow grey with black roof

Two-tone metallic - Ceramic grey with diamond black roof

Two-tone metallic - Shadow grey with diamond black roof

Trim - Cloth

Fabric - Embossed titanium black recycled mesh/ quilted grain coated cloth with blue stitching