EXPERT RATING
7.4

Likes

Supermodel looks
A hoot on the right road
Terrific engine

Dislikes

Backseat feels tight
Lacks key safety kit
No smartphone mirroring
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
26 Apr 2017
2 min read

When it comes to building tyre-screeching, fire-breathing hot hatches, the French maniacs at Renault do it better than most. A quick glance at - or, better, a quick steer of - the brand's epic RenaultSport portfolio reveals a cracking line-up that's utterly uncompromised in its craziness, and one far more at home on a race track than on the road.

But the question we're here to answer today is, what happens when they dial back the crazy? Can Renault build a hatch with enough performance to keep you entertained, but that's comfortable and tech-savvy enough to pilot every day?

Explore the 2016-2017 Renault Megane range

Renault Megane hatch 2016 review | first Australian drive video
Renault Megane Life hatch 2016 review | snapshot
Renault Megane Zen hatch 2016 review | road test
Renault Megane GT-Line 2016 review | road test

Enter, then, the Renault Megane GT - the king of this fourth-generation, all-new Megane range, and a car that, if not quite a 'hot hatch', definitely plays on the fun side of warm.

And with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, a chassis and suspension setup tweaked by the RenaultSport team and a new four-wheel-steering system, a it promises to be quite a bit of fun,too.

Read the full 2017 Renault Megane review

Renault Megane 2017: Gt 205

Engine Type Turbo 4, 1.6L
Fuel Type Premium Unleaded Petrol
Fuel Efficiency 6.0L/100km (combined)
Seating 5
Price From $16,170 - $20,680

Verdict

Wonderful to look at, a blast on the right road and with  Euro-chic charm by the Chanel handbag full, the Megane GT hits all the right notes for a warmed-over hatch. Its inner-city manners occasionally leave something to be desired, and its standard safety equipment list lags behind the industry's best, but it's so damn charming it almost doesn't matter.

Does this Renault's charm overpower the usual warm hatch suspects? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

 

Pricing Guides

$14,019
Based on 26 cars listed for sale in the last 6 months.
LOWEST PRICE
$7,800
HIGHEST PRICE
$19,877
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold. But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul. And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard. When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House. But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others. More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
About Author
Disclaimer: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Review Prices) is to be used as a guide only and is based on information provided to Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and the car manufacturer at the time of publication. The Review Prices were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current or suitable for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely upon this information without conducting an independent assessment and valuation of the vehicle.
Pricing Guide
$7,800
Lowest price, based on CarsGuide listings over the last 6 months.
For more information on
2017 Renault Megane
See Pricing & Specs

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