New Renault Megane review: French hatchback has leading edge

The front runner is the 203bhp GT, but many potential customers will be just as happy with the 108bhp diesel, a real charmer for its punchy performance, low running costs and certainly one of the quietest and refined oil burners in its class.

Prices for the new Megane, with a range of petrol and diesel engines, start at £16,600 while the more powerful and comprehensively equipped GT starts from £25,500.

Estate versions will join the range this autumn, with a diesel hybrid next year, and it would be very surprising if an even more powerful Renaultsport flagship doesn't make an appearance in the near future.

When designing a new car, factors such as aerodynamics (critical for fuel economy) and interior space are limiting factors, so it's no wonder many family hatchbacks have a decidedly samey appeareance.

But there's a great deal of French style which sets the Megane apart and should make it easily recognisable on the road, The low, slippery front end is characterised by the C-shaped daytime running lights, with the big chrome diamond badge in the centre which is Renault's new marque signature.

Sculpted side panels take you to the rear of the car to a unique and stylish rear light cluster which, for the first time, is also lit up during daytime to give the Megane a look all of its own. The wide rear haunches, tapering to towards the front, make the new Megane look even wider and give it a purposeful look even at rest.

Underneath the skin there is a range of efficient engines, some of the latest technological safety and driving aids and the use of higher grade materials around the cabin which has created the ambience of a more expensive, premium brand.

It is remarkably quiet – the diesel in particular must be top of the class in this respect – with a much stiffer chassis, thicker glass and a lot of attention sound-deadening foam, felt and pads.

For those who opt for the GT, some noise will be a requirement of the driving experience so in sport mode there's an electronically produced soundtrack simulating a growly exhaust.

The driving position is cockpit-like, with superbly shaped dual foam sports seats (alcantara in the GT) which support a wide range of body shapes, and there's a plentiful range of adjustment.

In the centre is the large new touch screen controlling a range of vehicle systems, including navigation where fitted,

All Meganes are available with the new Multi-sense drive control system, operated through the central touchscreen. It allows the driver to programme the desired driving characteristics – neutral (or automatic), sport, comfort, personal and eco. These select the appropriate throttle response, engine sound, steering weight, climate control output, interior lighting and, on cars with automated tranmission, the speed of gearchanges,

On GT models it also governs the use of the new 4Control active four wheel steering system, a feature unique to the Megane in this sector – in fact it's something the car shaes with the Porsche GT3.

Purely mechanical, passive rear wheel steering has been around for a few years – the old Honda Prelude being one example. But Renault's computer-controlled system, where the position of the rear wheels are monitored 100 times per second, is a a clear advance. The amount by which the rear wheels move is small – 2.7 degrees – but the difference is big.

At low speeds, around town, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to those at the front, much reducing the Megane's turning circle and endowing it with the agility of a city car. On the open road, the rear wheels turn with those at the front by just one degree, making for a quicker turn-in, with great stability and roadholding. You can actually feel it working in your favour.

The car's suspension is a good compromise between comfort and roadholding. The GT (not surprisingly) feels firmer, perhaps in part due to its larger, 18-inch alloys and lower profile tyres as well as its Renaultsport-developed springing. The GT comes only with the seven-speed dual clutch automated tranmission, with which you can choose an eco drive or a more sporty, free-revving performance via the Multi-sense system.

Its 1.6 turbocharged petrol engine produces 205PS and 280Nm of torque, plenty to take the car from a standstill to 62mph in 7.1 seconds, yet driven in gentler style it can achieve 47mpg (official test) and a CO2 figure of 143g/km.

Figures for the second test car, the 110PS, 1.5 turbodiesel, are 11.3 seconds and up to 72.4mpg, with a tax-efficient 96g/km of CO2 emissions. The other petrol engine choice is a turbocharged 1.2 producing 130PS, the same as the 1.6 turbo diesel option.

Standard equipment multiple airbags, cruise control, ABS, stability control, tinted windows, fingertip audio remote control, and full Bluetooth connectivity. Automatic headlamps and wipers, automatic climate control leather upoholstery, and rear parking and sensors are added further up the range.

New technology available includes adaptive cruise control (including active emergency braking), traffic sign recognition with overspeed prevention and hands- free parking.

There are rivals to the new Megane offering high-efficiency engines but the French hatchback has an edge when it matches that with its premium car ambience, refinement and distinctive styling.