Review: Renault Mégane GT

The original Mégane was the funky alternative family car, or the stylish coupe, or a small estate, or pretty much anything you wanted it to be. That was followed by the divisively styled, but obviously different second gen (you know, the one with the posterior?) and that spawned an amazing series of hot Renault Sport blessed versions.

But then something went slightly awry with Gen-3. There's no denying it was a good car – but it just didn't quite have the spark, that innovative style and verve.

Thankfully the latest family hatch offered by Renault fixes that issue. Admittedly the Mégane is now a more grown-up car than those original forays into the market, but the all-new Mégane has nailed its styling brief, delivering the space it needs without the boredom.

The new Mégane launches with its first 'Sport' badged model, the GT, topping the range. With 205bhp it's not quite the Golf GTI hot-hatch killer of the range - that will be the RS which launches in a couple of years - but it's aimed at the growing 'warm hatch' market, currently owned by the likes of the Peugeot 308 GT. In fact the Mégane enters the market level on price and power with the Peugeot.

New Mégane definitely has one up on the competition in the looks department. Renault's new face has been tested already in Europe with the Laguna-replacing Talisman and the latest Espace (although neither of those are set to make it to the UK) and is grafted successfully onto the smaller vehicle. In GT form this is complemented by some sporting additions. With a small 'diffuser' at the back, chrome exhaust tips and some extra chrome styling on the front joining the large, but well-styled c-shape running lights of the standard model.

Inside the interior comes from the Talisman. On the GT that means you get an 8.7-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen (some lower models make do with a 7-inch landscape option) to control the R-Link system we've met on the Kadjar and Clio. You also get alcantara-trimmed bucket seats, ambient lighting to suit the chassis setting and a GT emblazoned wheel.

The 1.6-litre Renault Sport-developed motor is a good one, in 2016 205bhp is never going to rip your face off, but it's enough to allow an easy overtake when called on. The GT will hit 62mph in 7.1 seconds (0.4 faster than the Peugeot) and go on to 143mph, yet still manages to return around 47mpg.

Under the skin the GT also debuts Renault's new 4CONTROL four-wheel-steering system. At speeds under 50mph that means the rear wheels turn up to 2.7 degrees in the opposite direction to the fronts and at over 50 they steer up to one-degree in the same direction.

What that means on paper is a more nimble car. And on the twisty Northern roads GRR tested the GT on you could really feel the difference it made. Pitch the car into a tight corner and the rear feels lighter, almost like it's about to come round (one colleague described is as being on casters). At first it's mildly unnerving, but get used to it and it allows for a much sharper mid-corner and exit. Running that system is a very direct, but useable steering, which is reasonably well weighted in Sport mode but at times rather light in any other.

Overall this is a very good car, for a starting price of £25,500 and with renault now loading their cars with tech in an attempt to stand out in a crowded market. Matching the 308 GT on power and price, and undercutting it in pace, the Mégane GT should be a real option for those who want a little more fun in their daily drive, but aren't quite ready to make the RS leap.

Price of our car: £28,575 (including £3,075 of optional extras).