Renault Megane

Generations: what actually changed when you switch era

Renault Megane is filed here as nine generations. Two share the “4 generation” label, so they must be dated and bodied separately.

Renault Megane is filed here as nine generations. Two share the “4 generation” label, so they must be dated and bodied separately.

4 generation, restyling (from 2020-01-01, end not measured), Hatchback 5-door, 20 modifications in the file of which 12 are listed. Tank is 50 l on gasoline TCe versions, 45 l on Blue dCi, not measured on 1.6 Multimode. Ground clearance is 145 mm. This is the only generation with a Plug-in version and the only one with a 3-cylinder engine (1.0 TCe MT, 999 cc).

4 generation (2015-09-01 to 2020-01-01), Estate 5-door, 50 modifications / 12 listed. Production of the listed engines is 2016-09-01 to 2020-01-01. Tank 49 l, clearance 145 mm, Euro 6. Compared with the restyling hatch, the estate keeps a 49 l tank (+4 l vs Blue dCi, −1 l vs TCe 50 l) and does not list a three-cylinder or a plug-in.

3 generation, restyling 2 (2014-03-01 to 2017-01-31), Hatchback 3-door, 36 / 12 listed. Clearance splits 160 mm on the 2.0 MT 137 hp and 2.0 CVT 137 hp versus 120 mm on the turbo petrol and diesel set. Tank 60 l. Eco labels mix Euro 4 and Euro 5. This is the peak-speed cut in the whole file: 2.0 MT 220 hp, 240 km/h.

3 generation, restyling (2012-05-01 to 2014-06-30), Hatchback 5-door, 31 / 12 listed. Clearance 160 mm on every listed row. Tank 60 l. Last naturally aspirated 1.6/2.0 mix before the 1.2 turbo takes over in the next restyle.

3 generation (2008-03-01 to 2014-07-31), Cabrio, 43 / 12 listed. Listed engines mostly from 2010-04-01. Clearance 120 mm where measured. Same 60 l tank. The 2.0 MT 180 hp (7.8 s, 230 km/h) is the cabrio’s performance pick; the 1.5 EDC 110 hp is 13.2 s at 1536 kg — 256 kg heavier and 2.7 s slower than the 1.5 MT 110 hp at 1280 kg / 10.5 s.

2 generation, restyling (2006-01-01 to 2009-12-31), Hatchback 3-door, 71 / 12 listed. Clearance 120 or 125 mm. Tank 60 l. Eco class not measured.

2 generation (2002-09-01 to 2006-09-30), Cabrio, 48 / 12 listed. Clearance 125 mm. Tank 60 l. Heavier than the restyle hatch at the same 2.0 MT 136 hp: 1390 kg versus 1230 kg, 0–100 9.9 s versus 9.2 s.

1 generation, restyling (1999-03-01 to 2004-01-31), Cabrio, 41 / 12 listed. Lightest kerbs in the file: 1.4 MT 95 hp at 1045 kg. Clearance 120 mm except one 1.6 MT 90 hp at 150 mm. Tank 60 l.

1 generation (1995-02-01 to 1999-02-28), Cabrio, 31 / 12 listed. Clearance 120 mm, tank 60 l. Slowest diesel in the file: 1.9 MT 64 hp and 1.9 AT 64 hp, both 16.5 s and 160 km/h, boost No.

Switching from 1 generation to 4 generation, restyling is a jump from 60 l tanks and 120 mm clearance to 45–50 l tanks and 145 mm, from No boost on most petrol to Turbo on all current petrol, and from Euro 3 (one listed 2.0 MT 140 hp) to Euro 6.

Engines and specs

All listed engines are Inline. Cylinder count is 4 except 1.0 TCe MT (3). Drive FWD. Fuel 95 unless noted (98 on 3 generation, restyling 2 2.0 MT 220 hp; 92 on that generation’s 2.0 CVT 140 hp; Diesel on diesels). Boost is Turbo or No as in the table. Gearbox labels are Manual, Robotic, Automatic, Variable.

Same name, different cars: 4 generation has two 1.2 MT (100 vs 130 hp), four 1.3 MT (100 / 115 / 140 / 160 hp), two 1.3 EDC (140 / 160 hp). 4 generation, restyling has two 1.0 TCe MT at 114 hp (1272 vs 1324 kg), two 1.3 TCe MT at 140 hp (1289 vs 1356 kg), two 1.3 TCe EDC at 140 hp (1317 vs 1383 kg) and two 1.3 TCe EDC at 160 hp (1347 kg / 9.0 s versus 1383 kg / 10.0 s). 3 generation, restyling 2 has two 1.2 MT at 130 hp (1205 kg / 10.7 s versus 1515 kg / 11.0 s).

Specific output (hp per litre of listed displacement): 1.0 TCe MT 114 / 0.999 ≈ 114 hp/l; 4 generation 1.6 EDC 205 / 1.618 ≈ 127 hp/l; 1.3 TCe MT 140 / 1.333 ≈ 105 hp/l; 4 generation 1.6 MT 115 / 1.598 ≈ 72 hp/l; 3 generation, restyling 2 2.0 MT 220 / 1.998 ≈ 110 hp/l; 1 generation 1.9 MT 64 / 1.870 ≈ 34 hp/l.

Performance and economy (mpg / l/100 km)

City / highway / mixed are l/100 km as given. Where the file is empty, it is not measured.

4 generation, restyling. Fastest gasoline 0–100 in this generation: 1.3 TCe EDC 160 hp at 1347 kg, 9.0 s, 205 km/h, mixed 5.5, CO2 138. The heavier twin 1.3 TCe EDC 160 hp at 1383 kg is 10.0 s (+1.0 s) at the same 205 km/h, mixed 5.5, CO2 135. 1.3 TCe MT 140 hp at 1289 kg: 9.4 s, mixed 5.4, CO2 129 — 0.3 s quicker than the 1.3 TCe EDC 140 hp at 1317 kg (9.7 s, mixed 5.5, CO2 135) and 20 Nm more (260 vs 240). 1.3 TCe MT 115 hp matches diesel 0–100 at 11.1 s / 190 km/h but mixed 5.6 vs 1.5 Blue dCi MT mixed 4.2 and 1.5 Blue dCi EDC mixed 4.0. EDC diesel is 11.0 s versus 11.1 s MT, +27 kg (1422 vs 1395). Both 1.0 TCe MT 114 hp: 11.0 s, 190 km/h; mixed 5.5 on the 1272 kg row and 5.6 on the 1324 kg row. 1.6 Multimode: 9.4 s, 175 km/h, mixed 1.2, CO2 29; city and highway not measured; tank not measured.

4 generation Estate. 1.6 EDC 205 hp: 7.4 s, 230 km/h, city 7.8 / highway 4.9 / mixed 6.0, CO2 134 — the only estate petrol with a full consumption set besides the two 1.2s and the NA 1.6. 1.3 MT 160 hp: 9.3 s; 1.3 EDC 160 hp: 8.8 s (−0.5 s) with +10 Nm (270 vs 260) and +25 kg. 1.3 MT 140 hp: 9.8 s; 1.3 EDC 140 hp: 9.9 s (+0.1 s), +28 kg, CO2 152 vs 146. 1.2 MT 130 vs 1.2 MT 100: −1.6 s (11.0 vs 12.6), +18 km/h (197 vs 179), mixed 5.3 vs 5.4. 1.3 MT 100 vs 1.2 MT 100: −1.3 s (11.3 vs 12.6), +25 Nm, CO2 138 vs 120; city/highway/mixed of the 1.3 not measured. 1.6 MT 115 hp (boost No): 11.9 s, mixed 6.3, CO2 187 — 0.8 s slower and +1.0 l/100 km mixed versus 1.2 MT 130, despite 66 kg less kerb (1227 vs 1293). 1.5 MT 90 hp: 14.1 s, 174 km/h, mixed 3.7, CO2 95. 1.5 MT 95 hp: 12.4 s (−1.7 s), 188 km/h, consumption not measured, CO2 119.

3 generation, restyling 2. 2.0 MT 220 hp: 7.6 s, 240 km/h, mixed 7.3 — 0.2 s slower than estate 1.6 EDC 205 but +10 km/h. 2.0 MT 165 hp diesel: 8.8 s, mixed 5.9. 1.5 MT 110 hp: mixed 3.5 (city 3.9 / highway 3.2) at 12.1 s. 2.0 CVT 140 hp: 0–100 and vmax not measured, mixed 8.0.

3 generation, restyling. 1.6 AT 106 hp: 13.9 s versus 1.6 MT 106 hp 11.7 s (+2.2 s), mixed 7.5 vs 6.7. 1.4 MT 130 hp: 9.6 s, 200 km/h; consumption not measured. 1.5 MT 106 hp: 0–100, vmax and consumption all not measured.

3 generation Cabrio. 2.0 MT 180 hp: 7.8 s, 230 km/h; consumption not measured. 2.0 MT 160 hp diesel: 8.7 s, mixed 5.9, CO2 155, clearance not measured.

2 generation, restyling. 1.9 MT 130 hp: 9.0 s, 200 km/h, mixed 5.0. 2.0 MT 136 hp: 9.2 s, mixed 8.0. 1.6 AT 115 hp is +1.9 s versus 1.6 MT 115 hp (12.8 vs 10.9) and +0.9 l mixed (7.7 vs 6.8).

2 generation Cabrio. 2.0 MT 163 hp: 8.7 s, 220 km/h, mixed 8.0. 2.0 AT 136 hp versus 2.0 MT 136 hp: +1.6 s (11.5 vs 9.9), same mixed 8.2.

1 generation, restyling. Two 2.0 MT 140 hp both 8.6 s (210 vs 213 km/h). Two 1.4 MT 95 hp: 11.9 s at 1115 kg versus 11.4 s at 1045 kg. 1.6 AT 107 hp: 11.9 s versus 1.6 MT 107 hp 10.1 s (or 9.6 s on the 1060 kg 1.6 MT).

1 generation. 2.0 MT 150 hp: 8.7 s (215 or 210 km/h depending on the 1160 kg vs 1125 kg row). 1.4 MT 75 hp: 13.8 s, 170 km/h. 1.9 MT 98 hp: 12.2 s versus 1.9 MT 64 hp 16.5 s (−4.3 s).

Range arithmetic where tank and mixed are both measured: estate 1.5 MT 90 hp 49 / 3.7 ≈ 1324 km; estate 1.2 MT 130 hp 49 / 5.3 ≈ 925 km; restyling 1.5 Blue dCi EDC 45 / 4.0 = 1125 km; restyling 1.3 TCe MT 140 hp 50 / 5.4 ≈ 926 km; 1.6 Multimode tank not measured, so range is not measured.

Dimensions and weight

Ground clearance: 145 mm on both 4 generation bodies; 160 mm on 3 generation, restyling and on the NA 2.0 rows of 3 generation, restyling 2; 120 mm on most other gen-3 turbos and convertibles; 120–125 mm on gen 2; 120 mm on gen 1 except one 1.6 MT 90 hp at 150 mm. Several cabrio diesels list clearance not measured.

Tank: 49 l (4 generation estate), 50 l (restyling gasoline), 45 l (restyling Blue dCi), 60 l (generations 1–3), not measured (1.6 Multimode).

Wheels listed: 4 generation estate 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16, 205/50 R17, 225/45 R17, 225/40 R18. Restyling hatch 205/55 R16, 205/50 R17. 3 generation, restyling 2 205/65 R15, 205/60 R16, 205/55 R17. 3 generation Cabrio wheels not measured. 2 generation 195/65 R15, 205/55 R16. 1 generation, restyling 175/65 R14, 185/55 R15. 1 generation 175/70 R14, 185/60 R15.

Kerb / kg per hp (listed kerb ÷ hp): restyling 1.3 TCe MT 140 hp 1289/140 = 9.2 kg/hp; 1.6 Multimode 1605/158 = 10.2; 1.0 TCe MT 1272/114 = 11.2; estate 1.6 EDC 1392/205 = 6.8; 3 generation, restyling 2 2.0 MT 220 hp 1424/220 = 6.5; 1 generation, restyling 2.0 MT 150 hp 1095/150 = 7.3; estate 1.5 MT 90 hp 1325/90 = 14.7. Gross mass peaks at 1.6 Multimode 2060 kg and 3 generation 1.5 EDC 2004 kg; lightest listed kerb is 1 generation, restyling 1.4 MT 95 hp at 1045 kg.

Chassis labels (English as filed): front Independent, spring; rear Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem on 4 generation estate; brakes Ventilated disc front, Disc rear.

Which version to choose

Daily hatch, gasoline, current generation. Take 1.3 TCe MT 140 hp at 1289 kg: 9.4 s, 205 km/h, mixed 5.4, 129 g/km, 50 l, 9.2 kg/hp. The 115 hp 1.3 TCe MT is 11.1 s (+1.7 s) and mixed 5.6. 1.0 TCe MT 114 hp buys 114 hp/l from 999 cc and a 3-cylinder layout, but 0–100 is 11.0 s and torque is 200 Nm versus 260 Nm on the 140 hp 1.3. EDC on the 140 hp 1.3 costs 0.3 s, 20 Nm, 6 g/km and 28 kg versus that manual.

Lowest measured fuel on a current hatch. 1.5 Blue dCi EDC 115 hp, mixed 4.0, 11.0 s, 45 l tank. The MT twin is 4.2 mixed and 11.1 s. Versus 1.3 TCe MT 140 hp you give up 1.7 s and 15 km/h and gain 1.4 l/100 km mixed.

Plug-in. Only 1.6 Multimode. Same 9.4 s as the 140 hp manual 1.3, −4.2 l/100 km mixed, −100 g/km CO2, +316 kg, −30 km/h, tank not measured, Automatic with 1 speed. Choose it only if the 1.2 mixed figure is the purchase; it is the heaviest Megane listed (1605 / 2060 kg).

Estate (4 generation, 2016–2020). Do not buy 1.2 MT 100 hp if 1.2 MT 130 hp is available: +30 hp, −1.6 s, +18 km/h, mixed 0.1 l better, +2 kg. Do not buy 1.6 MT 115 hp (boost No) for economy: mixed 6.3 and CO2 187 versus 5.3 and 119 on 1.2 MT 130 hp. For diesel mileage: 1.5 MT 90 hp, mixed 3.7, CO2 95, accepting 14.1 s. For pace: 1.6 EDC 205 hp, 7.4 s / 230 km/h, 6.79 kg/hp. Between 1.3 MT and 1.3 EDC at 140 hp, the manual is 0.1 s quicker, 28 kg lighter, 6 g/km cleaner; at 160 hp the EDC is 0.5 s quicker. City/highway/mixed on all 1.3 petrol estates are not measured.

Three-door performance (3 generation, restyling 2). 2.0 MT 220 hp is the file’s top speed (240 km/h) at 7.6 s, fuel 98. If you want diesel punch, 2.0 MT 165 hp is 8.8 s and 380 Nm. Economy pick: 1.5 MT 110 hp, mixed 3.5. Avoid the 1515 kg 1.2 MT 130 hp if the 1205 kg 1.2 MT 130 hp exists: same 205 Nm, +310 kg, +0.3 s, mixed 6.4 vs 5.4.

Cabrio. 3 generation 2.0 MT 180 hp (7.8 s, 230 km/h) is the sport open car; 2 generation 2.0 MT 163 hp is 8.7 s / 220 km/h. 1 generation, restyling 2.0 MT 150 hp at 1095 kg is 8.6 s — 0.1 s quicker than the later 163 hp cabrio — at 7.3 kg/hp. Open diesels: gen-3 2.0 MT 160 hp, 8.7 s, mixed 5.9; gen-2 2.0 MT 150 hp diesel, 9.2 s, mixed 5.4.

Automatic / CVT older cars. Variable 2.0s are 0.2–1.6 s slower than the related manuals where both are measured (3 generation, restyling 2 2.0 CVT 137 hp 10.1 s vs 2.0 MT 137 hp 9.9 s). Four-speed Automatic on 3 generation, restyling 1.6 AT 106 hp is 13.9 s versus 11.7 s MT. Gen-1 1.9 AT 64 hp does not improve on 1.9 MT 64 hp (both 16.5 s).

What extra displacement used to buy. On 2 generation, restyling, 2.0 MT 136 hp versus 1.6 MT 115 hp is −1.7 s and +8 km/h at +1.2 l mixed. On 4 generation, restyling, 1.3 TCe MT 140 hp versus 1.0 TCe MT 114 hp is −1.6 s and +15 km/h at mixed 5.4 vs 5.5 — 0.334 l more displacement, not 0.6 l.

Reliability and problems (what this catalogue does not measure)

This file has no failure rates, service intervals, or recall counts. “Reliability” here is only what the rows allow: Euro 6 on both fourth-generation bodies; Euro 5 / Euro 4 mixed on generation 3; eco class not measured on most generation 1–2 rows. Compression ratio is not measured on the listed fourth-generation petrols. Several gen-3 cabrio and restyle rows leave 0–100, vmax, CO2 or gross mass not measured — treat those versions as incomplete to compare, not as “no such parameter”. All listed Megane versions remain FWD; there is no AWD row to buy.

Choose by the arithmetic above: 1.3 TCe MT 140 hp (1289 kg) for a current gasoline hatch, 1.5 Blue dCi EDC for current diesel mpg, 1.6 Multimode only for 1.2 l/100 km mixed, 1.6 EDC 205 hp for an estate that must be quick, 1.5 MT 90 hp for an estate that must sip, 2.0 MT 220 hp for the fastest listed Megane, 2.0 MT 180 hp for the fastest listed cabrio. Keep the version names exactly as in the table when you look up a modification page.