What's the difference?
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.
The EX30 Cross Country is the new adventure-focussed top-shelf variant in Volvo’s small electric SUV line-up.
This five-seat compact crossover has a dual-motor electric set-up, all-wheel drive, raised suspension, more ground clearance than a regular EX30 and an exterior that more than hints at its off-road aspirations.
But just how much potential does this Cross Country have as an all-wheel drive adventure machine?
The design for the Renault Megane E-Tech is top-notch and the eco-conscious footprint is even better. It’s an easy and comfortable car to be in but the price is a smidge too high in my opinion when you consider there’s currently only one choice for us Aussies and it’s a mid-spec variant at that. It also misses out on some items its rivals have but is a solid EV to consider for urban dwellers.
There’s a lot to like about the Volvo EX30 Cross Country. It’s an impressive AWD EV. Nice to drive, comfortable and offering the extra driver confidence an AWD system brings.
It also looks good, has a decent stack of features onboard and has plenty of appeal for owners, especially in terms of servicing costs.
As an EV tourer, it has a reasonable driving range and offers enough in terms of AWD flexibility to appeal to those people who may like the idea of an all-electric adventure machine.
But it is small, has a limited scope of off-road capability and pricing is ranging upward for what it offers.