Renault Megane hatchback (2016-2022) - Practicality & boot space

With a good-sized boot, useful 60:40 split-folding rear seats and a spacious interior with plenty of storage for your odds and ends, the Renault Megane is a practical choice. It generally compares well with rivals but is let down slightly by a high loading lip that can make getting larger or heavier items into the boot a bit of a chore.

Renault Megane interior space & storage

Storage-wise, the Megane has two cup-holders in the centre console and a good-sized under-armrest cubbyhole. There’s a pretty standard-sized cup-holder in each door, too, along with flock-lined door bins. The glovebox is just about big enough to hold a large water bottle.

For passengers, there’s plenty of knee and headroom in the back with the driver’s seat in a comfortable position, while we found the sporty driver’s seat in the GT Line to be particularly comfortable. It's also worth noting that even the E-Tech plug-in hybrid has enough head and legroom for six-foot tall adults to sit in tandem.

25

Boot space

As is often the case with plug-in hybrids, the positioning of the battery can eat into luggage capacity. Choose the E-Tech version, and the biggest sacrifice is boot space, which shrinks to a mere 308 litres. That should still be fine for most shopping trips but does mean there's less luggage space than in the smaller Renault Clio.

It’s a shame the deficit is so large; petrol-powered Meganes have a usefully square boot and a 473-litre luggage capacity, which beats key rivals like the Volkswagen Golf (380 litres) and Vauxhall Astra (370 litres).

With the rear seats folded down, that total expands to 1,288 litres - against 1,210 litres for the Astra and a slightly larger 1,270 litres for the Golf. Disappointingly, the Megane has a pretty high boot lip, which makes getting large or heavy items in the car quite awkward. Boot space is also reduced slightly if an optional space-saver and Bose subwoofer are fitted.

Towing

The petrol and 113bhp diesel-engined versions of the Megane can tow a braked trailer or caravan weighing up to 1,700kg, which is quite impressive for a family hatchback. However, the plug-in hybrid can only tow 750kg.