Renault Megane (2020-2022)

By Jonathan Crouch

Models Covered:

5-door hatchback / Sport Tourer estate – 1.3, 1.8 [petrol] / 1.5 [diesel] [Iconic, RS Line, RS]

Introduction

In 2020, Renault’s fourth generation Megane family hatchback became a smarter proposition - in more ways than one. If you’re shopping for something Focus or Astra-shaped in this segment from the 2020-2022 period, it’ll probably no longer be one of the first cars you’ll immediately think of, but this updated MK4 model was clever, sensible and very good looking, especially in Sport Tourer estate guise. The Megane is better equipped for the money than most of its rivals in this period – and there’s the option of a clever E-TECH Plug-in hybrid powertrain should you want it. Let’s check this updated post-2020-era MK4 Megane out as a used buy.

The History

Ordinary family cars can no longer be… well, ordinary. People want polish these days, a smarter feel and hi-tech features that make them feel pampered and premium. Which means that in the Focus-sized family hatchback segment, they may well find themselves looking at models like this one, Renault’s fourth generation Megane. This MK4 model was first introduced back in 2016, but in late 2020, Renault treated it to a significant facelift, creating the car we’re going to look at here.

The first Megane actually pre-dates the Ford Focus, announced back in 1995 and shortly afterwards siring the successful Scenic MPV. Since then, by 2020, seven million Meganes over four different generations had been sold worldwide and the range had broadened to include a family of models, including a Sport Tourer estate variant and R.S. high-performance versions long regarded as benchmark hot-hatchbacks.

The second generation version of 2002 was angular and interesting, but its underpinnings, carried forward into a third generation variant which sold between 2009 and 2016, were allowed to hang on far too long. This fourth generation car represented something of a fresh start, with a brand new CMF platform, striking looks and a much classier cabin. It didn’t made much sales headway though, in a family hatch market committed either to class favourites or a switch into family SUVs like Renault’s own Kadjar.

So in 2020, the brand subjected this Megane to a widespread package of changes in order return it to the radars of possible customers. There was a smarter look, more sophisticated screen tech in a revamped interior, some new autonomous driving technology and the option of the Plug-in hybrid E-TECH powerplant. But it was all to no avail and the MK4 Megane vanished from the price lists in Spring 2022.

What You Get

If you happen to be familiar with the original hatch and Sport Tourer versions of this fourth generation Megane design, you’ll notice a few detail changes with this ’20-plate-era versions upon close-up inspection. The restyled bumper incorporates smarter corner cut-outs. And there’s a revised lower grille that’s chrome-trimmed on base ‘Iconic’ models but sportier-looking on the plusher ‘R.S. Line’ variant thanks to a F1-style full-width lower front blade. As for the lights, well indicators were incorporated into the distinctive C-shaped front daytime running lamps. And all models got the brand’s full-LED ‘Pure Vision’ headlights, the beam range of which had been increased by 30%.

Up front inside, this updated model got a bit more of a premium ambiance, thanks to upgraded trim and upholstery and little extra touches like 8-colour ambient lighting and a rim-less electrochrome rear view mirror. Perhaps more significantly, Renault had listened to commentators like us and separated out the ventilation controls from the central touchscreen. Which, like the display provided for the instruments, could in this updated model be bigger. Plusher variants got a smart portrait-format 9.3-inch ‘EasyLink’ centre screen. While through the 3-spoke leather-stitched steering wheel, you view a 10-inch Driver Information Display with customisable virtual dials.

And in the back? Lift the tailgate and you’ll find that the opening is a good square shape but that this high sill will make it a little awkward to get heavier items in. Inside, the space you get varies quite a bit, not only with body shape but also with the powerplant you’ve chosen to fit up front.

What To Look For

Most of the owners we surveyed seemed very happy with this MK4 Megane. There were a few of the usual issues with DPF diesel particulate filters getting clogged up; this might happen if the car you’re looking at has only mainly been used for urban journeys. We did come across a few other issues. In one case, there was a fuel line leak. Otherwise, it’s just the usual things and insist on a full service history.

On The Road

Aside from the 300hp 1.8-litre Megane R.S. hot hatch, the conventional part of the Megane engine line-up was by 2020 based entirely on just two powerplants, both four cylinder units. There's either a 1.3-litre petrol TCe 140 powertrain with 140hp. Or a 1.5-litre Blue dCi diesel with 115hp. In both cases, customers choose between a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 7-speed dual clutch auto. The other engine option is the rather interesting E-TECH Plug-in hybrid 160hp petrol powerplant. This sees a 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to two electric motors powered by a 9.8kWh, 400V battery that allows a range of about 30 miles. There’s an unusual clutchless auto transmission that works with three drive modes – all-electric ‘Pure’ (which can be locked in with a fascia ‘EV’ button), combustion-powered ‘Sport’ and ‘My Sense’ (which is a hybrid setting engineered to use both power sources most efficiently). Just how efficient a combination this can be is referenced by this PHEV derivative’s official WLTP-rated figures - up to 217.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 30g/km of CO2.

Overall

This Megane model line’s position by 2020 would doubtless have been better if Renault hadn’t ignored it quite so much in its turn-of-the-century drive towards electrification. So it’s perhaps appropriate that this Gallic hatch’s position was with this facelifted MK4 range, significantly improved by a dose of the electrification that development drive produced. We think the E-TECH Plug-in Hybrid variant is a genuinely under-rated and very complete family car.

And in summary? Well, true, this is still a compact family five-door that ticks an awful lot of boxes. And one that an awful lot of people we think, might rather enjoy owning….