2009 Renault Megane Coupe – review
Renault Megane Coupe 2009
I would like to write a little review of 2009 Renault Megane Coupe. As I noticed there isn’t much noise over the Internet about this car. You have Toyota, Honda, Fiat and VW everywhere in the media, magazines, youtube, forums… and what is the most disturbing, on the roads. And Renault? Just few short reviews around the premiere date and afterwards… nothing – complete silence. And I assure You that it’s not about their cars being worse than these mentioned above. A little warning is needed here in the beginning: This review will be extremely subjective.
As not only I don’t look at the cars the way that majority of drivers do… but I just bought a 2009 Renault Megane Coupe for myself 
Well, not “just”… it was few months ago.
So, I am a proud owner of a black 2009 Renault Megane Coupe powered by 2.0 l TCE 180 engine (TCE = Turbo Control Efficiency).
Why buy one?
1. The looks
It looks… “controversial”. When I surf the forums and blogs, the opinions are 50/50 divided between – hate it/love it.
Personally, I like it. I admire Renault for the bravery in design. Something that not many carmakers would be able to do these days. When the seats folding in 8 dimensions, boot turning to a tree house or jacuzzi, 45 glove compartments… in driver’s seat and other practical innovations are main propeller of selling the cars. And still Renault sacrificed most of the visibility in the back, trunk access is difficult… all this for the looks of the car and the Megane Coupe turned out to be quite good looking (IMHO).
Renault Megane Coupe 2009
2. The ride
It’s ok. The handling is pretty good. If You compare it to previous generation – it’s brilliant. The suspension is lowered and stiffer (compared to regular 5 door version), but still leaves You with significant comfort. The power steering is 100% electric -> too soft. But You can get used to it. ESP doesn’t interfere to often (unless it’s really needed – on snow etc).
3. The car is smart
Renault “Hands Free” system is a very positive equipment. Something that You can get only among some premium brands – available almost free in a Renault.
New Megane also features some fancy digital interior features like speed limiter. That shows You with red light when You drive to fast A little toy, but I’m sure that some of You will find it useful.
Interior
4. The price
Well I know that You don’t buy cars that start with “F”. Ford, Fiat and the “French”. The motoring press shows You the best models with luxurious equipment and some top versions. They post objective comparison articles, give points among models from the same segments and… objectively VW always win. But… the value for money in case of this Renault is absolutely better than any VW can offer (especially looking at Scirocco – the main competitor). For a price of some basic, slow, poorly equipped version of VW Golf, Skoda or Honda. You get almost top version of Renault Megane with a turbocharged (=fun) engine.
And at the same time if You check the reliability rankings from last few years – You can find a Renault in every segment’s top 10. So don’t worry about this aspect, the build quality and the materials are no worse than competition offers.
Interior (Diesel version RPM)
5. The X Factor
I just know that 3 years from now in the future – You won’t see many of them on the roads. And that is important for many of us. The car is and will stay somehow unique. You couldn’t say the same thing about future of ANY Toyota, Skoda, Fiat or VW. Not only there is too many of them, they don’t attract so much attention. They are not that pretty
Renault Megane Coupe 2009
Conclusion
Yes. It’s just another hatchback. It’s not even a hot hatch (Renault Megane R.S. will be on sale soon). It’s a regular car 
But it stands out from the crowd. It has some flaws, but they just make it what it is. A unique car among Volkswagenish, squarish and practicalish motoring world.
So if You are thinking which hatchback to buy. And have particular questions about this Renault… Feel free to ask (using comments below or direct mail), I will gladly answer any questions via this blog (if I only can). I will try to make this post to be the first article of the “long distance test”.
Few tips from the owner
- Parking sensors in the back are a must! Don’t leave a car dealer without them!
- ARKAMYS Audio System is a waste of money, save it for custom car audio system
- Don’t get fooled about the optional “sport package” looks. Rear diffuser: center exhaust tip in the back is a fake – it’s a piece of silver plastic = something that You will feel embarrassed to have in your car.
- The TCE 180 engine often get a power and torque bonus. Cars tested by users and some magazines shown around 190 PS (around +10 PS) and over 300 Nm of torque (measured on dyno).
- More to come…
Pure tech data
- Engine 4-cylinder, 2.0l 16v, turbo charged
- Maximum power (DIN) 180.5 PS (178.0 bhp) @ 5500 rpm
- Maximum torque (DIN) 300.0 Nm (221 ft·lb) @ 2250 rpm
- Top speed 230 kmh (143mph)
- Acceleration 0-100 kmh (0-62mph) in 7.8 seconds
- Average consumption 8,8 l/100 km, 37.2mpg
- CO2 emissions 178g/km
Yes a very good review of Megane Coupe . I am about to but one as they look great .
thanks
hey,
thanks for commenting
what is Your engine choice? what extra equipment do You consider to buy?
I would like to know about rear seats. Is room in the back to small? I know it is coupe but is it too small?
And why do you think that”Parking sensors in the back are a must”?
THANK U
@lin
The rear seats and leg space are ok (better than ex. Astra GTC, I would say that pretty much the same as Ford Focus). I was sitting there once (I am 187 cm tall) – and there wasn’t too much discomfort for the legs or the head.
Regarding parking sensors – the visibility in the back is very limited by the size of the rear window (the bottom is very high above the ground) and side windows dont give You much support either. Sensors saved my bumper twice… so far
How do you find the ride comfort in the Megane Coupe? I have a new Megane Coupe myself, a Dynamique with 17 inch alloys, and find the ride to be very stiff. I understand the sports chassis, and 17 inch alloys, but when driving on a relatively smooth road I find that I can feel every slight bump in the road.
I think its a brilliant car, which looks stand out a mile, but surely the ride comfort isn’t right? I have it booked in at Renault for them to have a look at it, as I have never had a ride this bad in any of more ‘sport style’ cars in the past.
Hmmm… I also have 17 inch alloys. I find the ride to be a good compromise between confidence of driving and comfort. I would compare it to the comfort that Subaru Impreza provides (not the handling though).
In Your case: Did it become stiffer after You’ve bought it? Was it softer when You took a test drive before buying?
For example, last weekend I drove regular 1.8 Honda Civic 2008. And the noise the suspension produces there and the stiffness was very unpleasant (even though it only had 16 inch alloys) comparing to Renault. So I’m surprised with Your opinion on Megane Coupe ride comfort. Maybe it’s a mechanical problem… but it’s hard to imagine what could be the problem in Your case, so dealer could fix it (??).
Let me know if they will find anything. I would suggest You to take a test drive in other Coupe the dealer has, to compare the ride.
hey thanks alot for a good detailed review..im thinking about getting the new 2011..whenever i mention that im buying a renault people tend to freak out and ask me not to..the main reason is reliability..they say renault cause so many mechanical problems and are not reliable..which i find surprising personally.
also music is very important to me..do u have the option to sync your ipod?
thanks..
I know the feeling. Renault doesn’t have a good opinion for it’s reliability – it concerns the previous models problems with electronics. IMHO that was then… But since 2008 they always have a model in top 10 of german DEKRA reliability reports. So I don’t think this is the issue any more… They improved significantly. Another thing is the service quality – at least in Poland – Renault is considered as one of the worst
But it depents on particular dealer/service station.
Regarding the ipod sync. The USB allows You to manage the music from the ipod from the steering wheel. As well as from regular pendrive. I don’t know what You meant by “sync” – but it doesn’t download the music from the ipod.
We are going for a three week holiday in September 2011. Was looking at a factory lease of a Menage Coupe Diesel Manual. Two adults 250 ils each and 6′-0″.
We are looking to do Three weeks in each Switzerland through Liechenstein; Southern Alps drop down to Venice then on to Austria and back across the Northern side of the Alps through Germany and back to Lyon, France.
Comfort level is of utmost importance to us; and ease of travel.
How would you rate this vehicle for this excursion?
Thabks,
Al
Well. I just came back from the Alps. We travelled over 2500 km from Warsaw to Hintertux (near Innsbruck – Austria) and back. I’m 6’2”, was travelling with my wife and skis in the back (mine are 5’9”). We had lot’s of ski equipment, 2 bags, camera etc. I was doing most of the driving (over 10 hours). My back/legs/arms didn’t hurt. Ears didn’t bleed
The car did ok.
It’s not a highway cruiser (my engine used around 10l/100km of fuel on german autobahn when travelling about 160 km/h (100mph)). And surely You will find more comfortable choices when looking at bigger cars, but I don’t think You will feel much difference, if You choose among cars in this particular segment.