Ford Everest vs Renault Megane E-Tech

What's the difference?

Too often we see makes and models being treated to facelifts in the purest sense of the word. A new set of headlights, some flashy trim here and there and let’s call it a new model.

So, it’s a bit refreshing to see that this latest upgrade of the Ford Everest range has seen head office throw most of the money at the engineering department. Which, in this case, it’s used it to come up with a new entry-level four-cylinder turbo-diesel for the full-sized off-road SUV.

However, the difference here is the new engine makes less power and torque than the one it replaces. Significantly less, as it turns out. So what’s going on?

In a nutshell, this is Ford fitting a global engine to a global platform and using an engine that is theoretically more reliable and cheaper to produce. But while that might seem like a win for Ford, what does it mean for Everest buyers?

We’ve looked at the Everest range in its entirety here, but focussed our drive impressions on the new driveline that revolves around that new four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

The hotly anticipated Renault Megane E-Tech has arrived on our shores but we're only getting the mid-spec variant for now.

Renault's newest EV is related to the well-known Megane in name only because it has been built from the ground up as an EV. It’s not a hatchback, like its namesake, either, rather a crossover, which means it’s a bit lower than some of its small SUV rivals.

It faces firm competition in the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo C40 and newcomer bZ4X from Toyota. In this review we'll see how Renault's cutest EV handles life with my family of three.