Renault Megane Sport Tourer Road Test Reports and Car Reviews

Renault Megane Sport Tourer 1460 Turbodiesel 2006

Owned the car for 16 months now; sparkling performance from a little engine with a surprising turn of torque for 1460 cc. Economy is good too; I never believe manufacturers mpg figures because I don’t drive like their testers - I live in a real world where town driving has a real time effect on economy. This serves to focus on the economy of 48 mpg around town that I’ve experienced. A good load carrier - buy the roof bars for £70 for a real carry car. A shame that at six feet tall the back seats won’t fold down flat when I’m driving, but the split rear seats are good. Comfort, cosseted by leather panels, is reasonably good with loads of adjustment and the adjustable steering wheel really does work to find a good driving position. Steering is not overly light as some have claimed, but I know what they mean when they say there’s little feel, it’s true but so what. Six-speed box is very light to operate and gives quiet motorway cruising ability with a genuine tank measured 59 mpg on motorway work over 400 miles. Not many cars can achieve that! When we ordered the car, I was prepared to pay the additional pounds for the 17 inch alloys, but the salesman advised against them. Having driven the same car with the 17 inchers, how right he was because the wheel comes as standard with a lower profile tyre which may fill the wheel arch in a visually attractive way but you lose out on the comfort and road noise aspect. Headlights - main beam needs more power/longer throw but that may be me at 59 years old. Climate control is excellent; all cars will have this eventually, but this is the first that I’ve had which actually works when your tie’s done up in a summer traffic jam. We ordered a dark grey one with cream (no other colour available!) fully expecting to be frequently busy with the cleaning chemicals but I’m amazed to find that it’s survived without a single wipe over during our tenure. Build quality is good as are the materials; having been a VW buyer for 30 years, I was prepared to be disappointed and critical but I am genuinely pleased as no rattles have papered and no part has fallen or vibrated off, and I don’t expect it to.