Renault Megane Hatch

The Megane was revised in 2006 to keep things fresh and up-to-date. The looks had scarcely dated since its launch in 2002 so the makeover was rather light. Consequently it's a case of 'spot the difference' between new and old, with exterior changes consisting of different lights front and rear and a new grille and bumpers. There are some changes to the engine line-up too, including more power for some of the diesels and a new 2.0-litre diesel. As before, the Megane's strengths continue to be its generous levels of equipment and dedication to occupant safety.

DCI, WT, T, 16V

All cars come well-equipped. Air-con, CD player, automatic lights and wipers, and an abundance of safety kit is fitted even on the base models. Keyless entry is fun, but the funky handbrake can seem like a gimmick until you get used to it. Main spec levels are, in ascending order, Authentique, Expression and Privilege for comfort biased models and Extreme, Dynamique and Renaultsport for those preferring a sporty flavour. A special edition 'Renault F1 Team' based upon the Renaultsport 225 Cup features a unique colour scheme and sporty Recaro branded bucket seats.

2.0