Renault Megane 180 TCe long term review 2

Our Megane - as seen in many-an-airport carpark
Us motoring journalists have the best job in the world, flying to posh places, eating amazing food and driving the newest metal out there. But when I return from a launch I’m really starting to enjoy hopping back in the Mégane for the blast home.

Still not sure about the colour
For a start, it’s err… distinctive Cayenne Orange exterior colour makes it dead easy to spot in the long-term car park. Getting in can be tricky as the Mégane has massive doors, so if some numbnuts has parked too close, entry can be about as easy as posting yourself through a letter box. But once you’re in, the Megane’s cozy interior is a really nice place to be. The seats are comfy and supportive, the highly adjustable driving position is great and the optional Arkymis stereo fitted to our car is good. I’m even becoming a fan of the large sunroof.

The 2.0-litre turbo is a gem
The engine is good fun too. It’s a unit that goads you into giving it plenty of revs and driving in a pretty committed fashion. And once you do get stuck in, the chassis’s suppleness and direct steering make for a pretty entertaining trip home. Boads well for the Renaultsport version which will feature in a full video review in Issue 22 of iMOTOR due out in late October.

So is it just a poor man's Scirocco?
The Mégane has rather unfairly been referred to as the poor man’s Scirocco, but the looks are winning plenty of fans from various iMOTOR friends and family members. I’m pretty impressed, although the visibility out of the rear 3/4s is virtually nil as a result of the Megane’s swoopy coupe roofline. Bizarrely, I even like the warning beeps that Euro NCAP insists upon to get a full five star rating – in the Megane they’re echoey and synthesised in a way that gets your attention but doesn’t drive you bonkers through irritation. It’s pretty well thought out. A bit like the rest of the car then really.

Read our other long term updates:

Renault Megane long term update one

Renault Megane long term update three