The Renault Megane E-Tech has had a mid-life refresh, and the meaningful changes are under the floor rather than on the surface. In this first-look video, What Car? walks through an updated electric hatchback that swaps its old battery for a new 67 kWh LFP pack, lifting the WLTP range to a claimed 310 miles and raising peak DC charging to 165 kW, which the video says trims a 15 to 80 percent top-up to about 24 minutes. There is a styling update too, with a closed-off front grille and new 3D-effect rear lights inspired by the larger Renault Scenic, plus seven new paint colours and alloys up to 20 inches. A vehicle-to-load function lets the car power external devices, handy for camping. The car is now 20 mm taller to accommodate the bigger battery, but Renault says interior space is unchanged, and the single front-mounted motor still produces 217 horsepower.
The interesting industry detail here is the battery chemistry, and it is worth flagging because it signals where mainstream EVs are heading. Renault has moved the Megane from a nickel-based NMC pack to a lithium iron phosphate, or LFP, battery, yet range went up rather than down. LFP has historically been the cheaper, lower-density chemistry used in entry models, so getting more range from it points to how quickly these packs are improving. For buyers, LFP also tends to mean a longer lifespan and the ability to charge to 100 percent more comfortably day to day. The Megane also sits in a specific spot in Renault's growing EV range, below the larger Scenic and above the reborn small cars like the Renault 5. On price, Renault is not expected to push the cost much above the current car, which would keep the Megane competitive against the Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID3, while the MG4 is likely to remain the cheaper option in the class. That positioning, rather than any single spec, is what will decide whether the update is enough.
Inside, the video centers on the 12-inch touchscreen running Renault's own software with Google services built in, including Google Maps for navigation and a Google-powered assistant that handles natural-language questions. The presenter rates the screen for sharp graphics and quick responses, notes a Play Store with apps to download and a multi-year data subscription, and welcomes the retained physical climate controls. A new camera can recognize the driver's face and load saved preferences such as seat position and radio station, with profiles for up to five people. The presenter, who is 6 foot 1, says rear-seat space remains tight, with his head brushing the roof lining and limited room under the front seat. Boot space is unchanged at 440 litres, with a high loading lip noted as a downside. Renault has retuned the steering and suspension, the video says, though it cautions that the grabby brakes were not changed. The presenter expects two trim levels, recommending the Techno spec, with UK sales due later this year.
Bottom line: This is the right kind of facelift: Renault spent its effort on range, charging speed and battery longevity rather than chasing a flashier dashboard. The move to a bigger LFP pack that goes further is a quietly impressive trick, and keeping real buttons for the climate controls deserves credit when so many rivals have buried them in a screen. The unchanged tight rear seat and the brakes the video says were left alone are the honest catches. If you liked the old Megane but wanted more range and a faster charge, the update fixes the things that actually mattered. Wait for confirmed UK pricing before ruling out the cheaper MG4.
Commentary on a third-party video. Figures and claims are as presented in the source and have not been independently verified. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will correct it.