Megane is comfortable and packed with safety gear,the only downfall is its average look.
Another week, another diesel. Nothing wrong with that, because they all deliver great fuel economy, most with excellent refinement. Some even manage the trifecta: strong performance as well.
This has been a European-led invasion because they were the first to face high petrol prices and focused on diesel as the antidote. They have made great strides in driver-friendly technology.
While Mercedes-Benz and Peugeot have been the long-term believers in diesel for Australian motorists, brands like VW, Citroen, Audi, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Saab and Fiat have joined in.
Even Holden and Ford, Mazda, Dodge and Chrysler have jumped on the diesel-car bandwagon lately.
So when Renault brings in a diesel version of its small car, the impressive Megane, the major surprise is that it has taken five years to get around to it. They were waiting for Australia's diesel fuel to improve, they say, then had to wait for an automatic transmission to be ready.
Like the best of the breed, it is so quiet and refined you soon forget there is a diesel engine humming away up front. No rattle, no clatter, no chugging. It just trots along smoothly.
Renault has 'repositioned' the Megane sedan (a polite way of saying they cut up to $4500 off the price), so petrol versions start from $24,990.
That's bargain territory for a European-designed car, it is built in Turkey, packed with safety equipment and creature comforts.
The diesel option adds $3000 to the entry-level Megane Expression sedan (including alloy wheels, which otherwise would be a $1000 option), $3500 to the upmarket-trim Privilege model. Coming in a couple of months will be a diesel version of the roomier and dearer Scenic, a five-seat 'people-mover' based on the Megane.
Compared with the petrol Megane, power is down marginally, but torque is far greater, so no worries about the heartiness with which it pulls away once rolling. Just don't expect lightning acceleration from a standing start.
Fuel economy is the strong point: 5.8 litres per 100km for the diesel manual versus 8.2 litres for the petrol equivalent.
The Megane's four-speed automatic transmission is teamed with a less-hearty engine. Torque is 260Nm, a strong dose of pulling power though well short of the 300Nm which comes with the manual gearbox.
Overall, the Megane arrives at a comparatively bargain price for a European car with a diesel of this size, this output, with an impressive list of standard features, especially its safety gear.
It is very comfortable, with a huge boot and genuinely roomy and packed with clever touches.
Key points
Renault Megane dCi
Details: Compact sedan with 1.9 litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Power 96kW. Torque 300Nm manual, 260Nm automatic. Six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Features: Stability control, anti-lock brakes, airbags, airconditioning, automatic wipers and headlights.
Cost: Expression $27,990 manual, $30,490 auto; Privilege auto $35,990.
Rivals: VW Jetta, Peugeot 307, Citroen C3, Holden Astra, Ford Focus, Alfa Romeo 147.
For: Refinement, fuel economy.
Against: Renault's low profile here.
