The Tourer version of the current Renault Megane, is built on a longer wheelbase, 2703 mm vs 2641 mm for the five door hatchback and as a result it is also referred to as the Grand Megane. The test car was powered by the lower tuned 1.5 dCi diesel engine, driving the front wheels, through a five speed manual gearbox. It was finished to the top specification, with the integrated TomTom satellite navigation system. It is spacious and comfortable and offers a generous amount of luggage space. Its performance is more than satisfactory for a versatile, family car and its fuel consumption is excellent. Then to crown its all, its exhaust emissions, place it in Irish road tax band A, with an annual charge, at present rates, of Euro 104. Taking all this together, it makes a perfect family car.
In its lower state of tune, the engine delivers 64 kW and 200 Nm. This gives a specific output of just 43.805 kW/lt, which is very much in the territory of diesels of times past. Even its specific torque, at 136 Nm/lt, is not all that impressive. Yet in spite of this the car never felt underpowered or lacking in performance. Admittedly I did not get the opportunity to test it loaded to the maximum, but for all normal, day to day driving it was perfectly at ease with the traffic. The available power is said to yield a top speed of 175 kph (108 mph), with 0-100 kph acceleration in a relaxed 13.3 seconds. Naturally I couldn’t test the top speed for myself, as there is nowhere in Ireland, where it is legal to travel at that speed on a public road. The acceleration time may appear to be a bit slow, for a car of this size. but in daily driving, on both motorways and city/suburban and rural roads, it never felt slow or underpowered.

The engine always responded smoothly and silently to even the slightest pressure on the accelerator pedal. Progress was helped by the fact that the gearlever was conveniently to hand and was utterly smooth and precise in its action. Thanks to the comfortable, well padded seat, driving was always relaxed, comfortable and satisfying. It was almost effortless.
While its overall velocity may not have been of the record breaking variety, its published fuel consumption was certainly impressive. For a car of this size, comfort and versatility, to yield an urban cycle fuel consumption of 55 mpg (5.1 lt/100 km), is excellent. On the extra urban cycle it is even more impressive at 69 mpg (4.0 lt/100 km), which gives a combined cycle average of 63 mpg (4.4 lt/100 km). I seriously doubt that any family motorist would be unhappy with those figures. A low fuel consumption gives a low exhaust emission, which in turn qualifies for a low rate of annual road tax. So far everything seems to be in the Renault Megane Tourer’s favour.

This particular specification comes well equipped. Both front seats are superbly comfortable, with reach and height adjustment. Lumbar support is also part of the driver’s seat adjustments. The steering likewise adjusts for both reach and height. The exterior mirrors are heated and electrically adjustable. There are front fog lamps and four electric windows. The rear bench seat is divided 60/40, with a folding centre armrest, that includes two cupholders. The cruise control includes a speed limiter. There are two front and two side airbags, with front and rear air-curtains. The two outer rear seats are equipped with ISOfix fittings for child safety seats.

Behind the gearlever on the centre tunnel, there is a joystick and buttons to select and control the many functions provided by the TomTom satellite navigation system. Unfortunately, unless you can operate it by feel alone, it is dangerously positioned as you have to take your eyes off the road completely in order to see it. I am afraid this criticism also applies to the various functions, like the dual zone climate control, located on the centre console. The upper unit is the dual zone climate control and while selecting the desired temperatures is easy and safe, choosing any of the many other functions from the row of buttons beneath is not easy, due to the small identifying signs on the various buttons. You have to take your eyes off the road and refocus on this tiny row of buttons and their identifying signs. The audio system below is even worse as there are more and smaller buttons lower down, well out of your normal range of vision.

The instrument binnacle itself, is excellent, with its central, white faced digital instrument, showing the speed in large black figures and with a clear, easy to see fuel level indicator (left) and a matching engine temperature indicator (right). To the left of the central digital instrument, there is a matching analogue dial with a black face and mainly white lettering for the tachometer. In case you enter into the danger level of the engine’s upper speed range, the final lettering is in bright yellow. To the right of the centre instrument, there is a digital information panel, giving a selectable range of useful information, like trip and total distance, average fuel consumption, current fuel consumption, distance to empty etc. TomTom’s navigation screen sits up in a central position on top of the facia, where it is easy to see by both the driver and the passengers. Wipers/washers, are operated by the right hand stalk, while lights/ direction indicators are operated by the left hand stalk.
The leather covered steering wheel has a pleasant, comfortable and high quality feel. The variable rate, power assisted steering is geared to give around 2.8 turns from lock to lock. On the open road the car steers and handles easily, while in confined spaces the excellent all round vision makes manoeuvring comparatively easy, helped by the rear park assist system. Overall the ride is comfortable, over a variety of road surfaces and the roadholding never gave me any cause for concern. Naturally one does not drive a large versatile family car in the manner of a boy racer let loose in a specialised rally car.
In its normal mode, the Megane Tourer offers 0.486 cubic metres of luggage space, between the boot floor and the underside of the roller blind style tonneau cover. Remove the tonneau cover, fold the rear seats, load to the roof and you have 1.6 cubic metres at your disposal. The Megane Tourer in this specification comes as standard, with roof rails. You can carry up to 80 kg in a suitable mounting on the roof. Alternatively you can tow braked trailers/caravans of up to 1300 kg, or unbraked trailers of 650 kg. There is a full size spare wheel, so towing should cause no difficulties.

Above : Normal luggage space
Below : Maximum luggage space

Below left : Luggage compartment divider -------- Below right : Underfloor storage boxes

The full size spare wheel is stored below the luggage floor. The complicated luggage flooring, especially the section containing the two underfloor compartments, does not make access easy. A further complication is the black foam moulding that holds the jack and wheelbrace. Once it comes out, it is infuriatingly awkward to get back into a position where it does not get in the way of those underfloor compartments. Getting a puncture is bad enough, especially if you have a loaded luggage compartment, so any further annoyances with putting it all back, is the last thing you want.

Overall I liked the Megane Tourer. It was superbly comfortable, easy and relaxing to drive. It was sufficiently large to carry up to five people, including the driver, and while its velocity may not have been earth shattering, I found it perfectly satisfactory for a wide variety of everyday use. I have a daughter living in the north east of England and a son living in the south of England, so when we go to visit them we need a car that is comfortable and effortless to drive, has a large luggage compartment and is economical in its use of fuel. The Renault Megane Tourer satisfies all these diverse requirements. I could happily live with it as my everyday car, in spite of its infuriating spare wheel and tool storage arrangements.
It comes with a two years, unlimited mileage warranty, plus three years (150,000 km) assistance cover, three years paint guarantee and twelve years anti-perforation cover.
Currently the TomTom version carries a recommended retail price, excluding delivery and associated charges of Euro 23,600.

Technical data

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