Renault Megane Coupe (2009-2016)

The Renault Megane Coupe is quite a different proposition to the regular five-door Megane hatchback. It does share some parts with that car, but it’s actually a far sleeker, more seductively styled machine and more closely aligned with cars like the Volkswagen Scirocco.

The same goes for two more of its rivals, the Vauxhall Astra GTC and SEAT Leon SC, cars that share the names of less glamorous hatchbacks but are actually quite sporty and stylish. The Megane Coupe mirrors the efforts of the competition to attract customers looking for style and indulgence over practicality and economy.

It certainly looks the part and has a lot more visual appeal than the regular Megane. Inside, though, it’s broadly the same family hatchback, but it’s still worth mentioning that Renault interior quality has come on a great deal in recent years. As a result, the Megane can easily rival the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra for interior feel, even if it can’t match the standard of the Volkswagen Scirocco.

Renault pitches the Megane coupe slightly upmarket of the regular hatchback, and this is reflected by a slightly higher price. Fortunately, specification is reasonable – but not enough to justify the increase in cost alone. There are three main lines to choose from, with the Dynamique Nav being the entry-level. Next comes the Limited Nav, then a sportier-looking version, the GT Line Nav.

The GT 220 has not only sporty looks, but also the power and performance to match them, thanks to a 220bhp Renaultsport engine, with chassis, steering and brakes uprated to match. It makes for a well-priced taste of Renaultsport performance, without the hard edge and higher price tag of the full-on Renaultsport Megane.

There are also a number of option packages available to further mould the Megane coupe more closely to your personal taste.

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Engine choices begin with a 1.2-litre 115bhp petrol with a manual gearbox, rising to 130bhp if ordered as an automatic. The other petrol choice is the 220bhp Renaultsport 2.0-litre engine, which is only available in the GT 220.

Diesel engines are the 110bhp 1.5-litre with a manual or automatic gearbox, or a manual-only 1.6-litre 130bhp. Our favourite combination is Dynamique Nav with the dCi 130 1.6-litre diesel engine. Although this is the entry-level model, it still has air-conditioning and sat nav, while performance is good thanks to the gutsy engine. Best of all, though, it can manage 70mpg fuel economy.

The Megane Coupe has never been subjected to Euro NCAP crash testing separately from the hatchback, but the regular Megane holds a four-star safety rating (out of a possible five), missing out on a fifth star in part because some rivals have additional electronic safety systems.

Our annual Driver Power survey of owner satisfaction placed the Renault Megane Hatchback in 62nd position out of 150 cars ranked in 2016. Owners love their cars’ running costs, handling and ride quality, while reliability is reassuringly good, too. The Megane was let down by sparse in-car technology, although with all Coupes having sat nav as standard, that criticism may not apply here.

Overall, the Megane Coupe is a good-looking and economical choice for anybody on the lookout for a family car, but who isn’t ready to abandon style for practicality.