2024 Renault Megane E-Tech review: Can this chic French crossover seriously challenge the Tesla Model Y?

The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech takes the design ethos of the Megane hatchback and gives it some high-riding crossover love. But it’s what’s beneath the skin of this stylish French five-door that helps it stand out.

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There’s no ICE in sight, with the Megane E-Tech instead employing an electric motor as part of its dedicated electric car architecture.

While its price tag has it competing with the Tesla Model Y and BYD Atto 3 – the two top selling electric SUVs – it’s more likely to appeal to those shopping for the Fiat 500e, Mini Electric and Cupra Born.

Renault Megane E-Tech price and equipment

On-sale now and priced from $64,990 plus on-road costs, the 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech comes as a single-motor model with a 60kWh battery pack.

There’s dual-zone ventilation, wireless phone charging, heated front seats, heated steering wheel, ambient lighting and an interior rear vision mirror that can turn into a mirror.

There’s also fake leather trim on the sides and backs of the seats and on the doors, although you’re adjusting the seats manually.

Plus there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 9.0-inch central infotainment screen, the latter tilted towards the driver. It also incorporates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

2024 Renault Megane E-tech: what we think

It’s all about the look with the Megane E-Tech. There’s not as much space as something like a Model Y – but it looks cool!

And for singles and couples there’s oodles of space up front.

Those in the back aren’t as well catered for. Foot room is tight and while there are three seats they’d want to be good friends to all pack in.

The Megane E-Tech is beautifully presented, too, in part due to the quality finishes and materials – up front at least. There’s 28kg of recycled plastics and some of the textures make for an interesting break to the formulaic greys that appear so often.

Those in the rear don’t get the same thoughtfulness, though. The ambient lighting and suede-like finishes on the doors up front are conspicuously absent.

On the road, the single electric motor driving the front wheels uses a current and coils to create the required electric field (most EVs have a heavier motor with a permanent magnet).

It’s all about efficiency, although the compromise can be in the way it delivers the power.

The Megane E-Tech makes 160kW and 300Nm, which is thoroughly acceptable, but it lacks the initial enthusiastic thrust of most EVs, instead giving a more relaxed take-off.

Even so, a wet surface can still trigger the traction control as the front wheels fight for grip; it’s much less of an issue in the dry.

And the Megane E-Tech is generally fun to punt around, with sharp steering and agile manners. At only 1.7 tonnes (yep, that’s featherweight by EV standards!) it feels vaguely athletic and is an easy EV to live with.

2024 Renault Megane E-Tech verdict

The 2024 Renault Megane E-Tech has lots of loveable qualities, with styling chief among them, although we’d like to see the attention to detail in the front of the cabin flow through rearward.

That it also does its electric driving a tad differently to others is part of its chic charm.

Measured against class leaders such as the Tesla Model Y and Hyundai Ioniq 5 it stumbles with value and space.

But against design-focused EV alternatives such as the Mini Electric, Fiat 500e and Cupra Born it fights back with some French flair and more of the everyday sensibilities that sees it straddle some middle ground.

But just like a fashionable handbag doesn’t have to be the biggest and the best, the Megane E-Tech manages to slot into a handy niche in the booming EV market.

Score: 3.5/5

2024 Renault Megane E-Tech specifications:

Price: $64,990 plus on-roads

Basics: EV, 5 seats, 5 doors, mid-sized crossover, FWD

Range: 454km (WLTP)

Battery capacity: 60kWh

Battery warranty: 8 years/160,000km

Energy consumption: 15.6kWh/100km

Motors: 1 front 160kW/300Nm

AC charging: 7.4kW, Type 2 plug

DC charging: 130kW, CCS combo plug

0-100km/h: 7.4 seconds