Renault Megane E-Tech Electric SUV starts from £35,995

• Megane evolves into electric crossover-style hatch
• 215bhp and 280-mile range
• Prices start from £35,995

The new Renault Megane E-Tech Electric SUV is now on sale, with prices starting at £35,995. Buyers can configure their new car in three trim levels, with all models boasting a 280-mile range. Pre-orders are open now, with the first deliveries expected to arrive later in 2022.

Renault has transformed its family-friendly Megane from a conventionally fuelled compact hatchback into an all-electric crossover, pitting it against an increasing range of EV rivals, such as the Volkswagen ID.3 and Kia e-Niro.

2022 Renault Megane E-Tech Electric specifications

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Mirroring Renault’s recent trim level changes, the Megane E-Tech Electric comes in Equilibre and Techno specifications, plus a limited-run Launch Edition model. All three get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a nine-inch portrait touchscreen running a new Android operating system.

Starting at £35,995, the Equilibre model kicks off the range; this includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a rear-view camera, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel. Standard safety features include traffic sign recognition, lane-keeping assist and autonomous emergency braking.

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For an extra £2,500, Techno trim adds adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, plus 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive headlights, 48-colour interior ambient lighting, auto wipers, two-zone air conditioning and wireless phone charging. Renault says the upholstery in this model is made from recycled materials.

High-spec Launch Edition models are priced from £39,995 and feature a different wheel design, gold accents, a surround-view camera with a digitised rear-view mirror, and a Harman Kardon audio system.

Range and performance

The Megane E-Tech Electric is underpinned by the same platform as the Nissan Ariya SUV. All models of the Megane E-Tech utilise a 60kWh battery, providing a range of up to 280 miles on a single charge.

It’s also capable of rapid-charging at up to 130kW, meaning a 15 to 80% top-up takes as little as 30 minutes. Its on-board Chameleon charger allows 7.4kW charging from a wallbox, or speeds of 11 or 22kW as an optional extra.

At launch, the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric will only be offered with a single electric motor setup with 215bhp; this is capable of 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds, and can continue on to a top speed of 99mph. 

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Paddles behind the steering wheel allow the driver to adjust the strength of regenerative braking over four levels, with the strongest providing one-pedal driving. Eco, Comfort and Sport driving modes will alter the steering and accelerator pedal feel, along with the display graphics and interior lighting. Unlike some EVs, the Megane will be able to tow a trailer weighing up to 900kg. 

Renault has concentrated on making the E-Tech Electric as light as possible, using aluminium extensively in its construction. As a result, the 60kWh version weighs just over 1,600kg, which Renault claims makes the Megane around 100kg lighter than its rivals and the lightest car in its class, improving efficiency and the way the car drives. 

Thanks to its inherent efficiency, the new Megane E-Tech should be a solid option for company car drivers. Renault claims all models will be subject to just a 2% Benefit in-Kind rating, meaning that running costs will be very low, offsetting the car’s relatively high starting price.

Design and practicality

At a glance, the new electric Megane is similar in size to the Renault Captur SUV but, since it doesn’t have to accommodate a combustion engine, there’s more space inside. The CMF-EV platform enables a spacious passenger area by pushing out the wheels to each corner and minimising the space taken by the electric powertrain. Renault says the new Megane has the thinnest battery on the market and an ultra-compact power unit.

The car’s 2.7m wheelbase (the distance between its front and rear wheels) is similar to that of the Volkswagen ID.3, and there's 440 litres of boot space on offer, which is more than the combustion-engined Megane. There's also a dedicated space to store the car's charging cables.

The Megane E-TECH Electric’s design is very close to the Megane eVision concept, revealed in October 2020, which hinted at a higher ride height and sharp LED lights. For the production car, 3D rear lights are animated when the car is locked and unlocked. Alloy wheels range from 18 to 20 inches and there's a short bonnet to reflect the compact electric powertrain. Flush-fitting door handles also make it from the concept to the production car, helping to reduce drag at higher speeds

Interior and equipment

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The Megane E-Tech Electric will feature the brand’s new infotainment system, called OpenR Link. It boasts a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a portrait 12-inch touchscreen with sharper graphics than any Renault setup we've seen before. It's powered by Android Automotive software, using Google Maps-based sat-nav. This also gains an 'Electric Route Planner' that can work out where to charge along a route, along with recognising 'Hey Google' voice requests. Software updates happen over-the-air, like they do on your smartphone.

Want to keep company car running costs to a minimum? Check out our list of the top 10 best small company cars.