The sweeping facia is largely covered with soft-touch plastics. Swing open the solid-feeling drivers door, and first impressions are good. More importantly, does the new Renault Megane pull off the upmarket, classy and quality impression the previous model could not? The Renault Megane cabin Has Renault over-reacted to criticism of the previous model? Perhaps but then again conservatism has not exactly stopped the Volkswagen Golf from being a smash-hit sales success, again and again. The flamboyant Le Quement is now retired and there is evidence of this in the styling of the new Megane, which is rather bland, if not unattractive. So, for the new-generation Renault Megane, reviewed here, Renault has been far more cautious. And because, in addition to weirdo looks, the previous Meganes electronics were prone to melt-down, it could offer neither. Unfortunately for Renault, however, it would appear that consumers shopping in the C-segment are really rather conservative. But it was always going to be somewhat bizarre, seeing as it was born under the watchful eye of designer Patrick Le Quement, a man who also brought us the downright loony Avantime and awkward Vel Satis models. Featuring a near-vertical rear window and a shapely derriere, it was certainly a very adventurous design. Take the second-generation Renault Megane as an example. This brand is certainly not afraid to try new things to lure people out of their Volkswagens and Toyotas.

Driving impression