Now that we have concluded that the Renault Megane IV GT is beautiful to look at, fine when sitting inside, and pleasant to drive, it is the time we talk about what is it like to live with.
Normally, when we test drive cars, we get them for enough time to allow us to perform fuel economy tests in various environments. In the case of the Megane IV, as with other vehicles tested during a press launch, we only get to do a mixed driving cycle.
In our case, we got to drive the Megane 4 GT for about 240 kilometers (about 150 miles), enough to form an adequate opinion on the vehicle. The route consisted of a small portion of city driving and then focused on extra-urban roads, with small cities slowing us down from time to time.
Our time in the car revealed an average fuel economy recorded at 7.6 liters/100 kilometers (30.9 mpg) on the vehicle’s trip computer. While the value is not as small as one that could be achieved by a diesel, we would like to point out that it was performed while driving without a particular focus on economy, and that we did have 205 HP on tap.
Since Renault has not configured the Megane IV GT for maximum possible performance, but rather for a blend of dynamic driving and comfort, the hatchback does provide more than reasonable fuel economy. The engine does feature a Start-Stop system so you will not waste fuel while sitting at a traffic light, and the seventh gear is tall enough to allow economical driving at highway speeds.
Photo: Renault Romania
The Megane GT starts at 22,250 euros with VAT included in our local market. As you can imagine, pricing is different in other markets, so you must check with local Renault dealers for a quote in your market. As with other Renault models, the Megane IV is not available in the United States of America.
The GT is a separate trim level in the Megane range, meaning it has more standard features than any other variant. Like the rest of the Megane models, it has a 36-month/100,000 kilometer (62,000-mile) warranty. The paint has the same warranty, while the body has a corrosion warranty of six years.
On top of the other features available in the previous equipment lines as standard, the Megane GT is the only model in the range with rear-wheel steering, launch control, front sports seats, specially designed 17-inch rims, and various aesthetic ornaments. Some of the elements seen in the photo gallery of this article were optional extras, like the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the exterior “GT” package.
Being the top-of-the-line model, the Megane GT has fewer optional extras available. These include an electric sunroof, leather interior, front parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, front crash prevention, traffic sign recognition system with speed alert, assisted parking system with reverse camera, fog lamps, Bose sound system, head-up display, and 18-inch rims.
Full LED headlamps are standard, as well as the seven-inch R-Link 2 infotainment screen and the gauge cluster seen in the photo gallery. We must note that the tested configuration had the optional 8.7-inch screen.
Photo: Renault Romania
The multimedia unit lets users connect a USB stick to play music, as well as allowing the installation of dedicated apps for various functions. Electrically operated mirrors, rear seats, dual climate controls, keyless go, and other features like this come standard.
Standard safety features include ESP with hill-start assist, ABS, a full set of airbags, three-point seatbelts with pre-tensioners for all occupants, emergency brake assist, and a tire-pressure monitor.
In EuroNCAP’s 2015 assessment, the Renault Megane IV scored five stars, the maximum safety rating available for a passenger car. Adult protection was rated at 88%, child security was graded at 87%, pedestrian protection is ranked at 71%, while the same score of the latter came to the safety assistance technologies. The figures above mean that the French hatchback is a safe car by modern standards.
Most of the optional extras in the Megane IV range are not expensive, and one could configure a car like the one we tested with approximately 2,000 euros worth of accessories. The Megane GT does stand out in the segment on this, as it is cheaper to buy with this level of equipment and horsepower than its equivalent rivals.
Editor's note:
In case you haven't noticed, we have a brand-spanking new test drive format, which aims to give you a lot more information about each car that we drive. Short drives will still be delivered as a single text, but most of the cars we get our grubby hands on will get the full treatment, spanning across five different chapters.
The Interior Assessment chapter plans to tell you all about a vehicle's cockpit, whether it deserves that moniker or if it's simply a “cabin.” Design evaluation revolves around the exterior looks of the cars we drive, while Driving Take will try to put you in the driver's seat and show you what it's like behind the wheel.
Last, but definitely not least, the Everyday Living chapter is all about car ownership, including fuel economy, overall costs and driving comfort. All these details and more are then rounded up and delivered in the surprisingly named Roundup, which is the final test drive chapter and conclusion at the same time.
Sebastian's love for cars began at a young age. Little did he know that a career would emerge from this passion (and that it would not, sadly, involve being a professional racecar driver). In over fourteen years, he got behind the wheel of several hundred vehicles and in the offices of the most important car publications in his homeland. Full profile
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