• Loads of space inside
• Plenty of storage bins
• 440-litre boot

How much space is there?

More than you get in a petrol-powered family hatchback. Renault pushed the Megane E-Tech Electric’s wheels out to the very extremities of the car’s platform, liberating more space in the cabin for passengers, meaning legroom, headroom and shoulder room is plentiful up front.

It’s a similar story in the back. However, the bench has been mounted higher up than a conventional hatchback because it sits on top of a bulge in the battery pack. As a result, those over six feet tall may find their heads brushing against the roof lining.

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Boot space and storage

With the rear seats in place, the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric has 440 litres of boot space, although that figure increases to 1,332 litres if you fold the bench flat. That’s comparable to the amount of space on offer in the Volkswagen ID.3 and Kia Niro EV – but it’s only half the story.

The Renault’s boot is big, but that capacity comes mostly from its depth rather than its length. The Volkswagen and the Kia are arguably more usable in everyday scenarios, as their boots have longer floors, which means you won’t need to fold the rear seats down as often.

Still, you get a lot of clever storage trays. The door bins, for example, are more than big enough to hold keys, wallets and a water bottle. Renault also had the common sense to trim them in felt, so loose items don’t rattle once you’re up to speed.

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There’s also a very handy tray under the infotainment system that’s perfectly sized to hold your smartphone – and it’s big enough to accommodate the largest flagship models on sale today. On mid-range Techno models and up, it also features a wireless charging pad.

However, given that the most basic version of the Megane E-Tech Electric features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, we’d have liked to see wireless charging fitted as standard. Running a cable to maintain enough charge in your phone to keep the supposedly wireless connectivity features working defeats the point of the exercise in our book.

Is it easy to park?

Surprisingly, yes. The new Renault Megane looks enormous in pictures, but it’s quite compact in the flesh. It’s certainly no larger than a conventional family hatchback. If you’re moving from something like a Ford Focus or the previous-generation Megane, you’ll find it a doddle to park.

The Megane’s front seats are higher than a petrol hatchback’s because they’re riding on top of the battery pack – but that gives you a better view out of the front and makes it easier to judge where the nose of the car is. Our biggest complaint is that the rear pillars are quite wide and create a big blind-spot in your rear visibility.

But you get plenty of technology to help you work around this issue. Even the most basic model gets rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera, while the range-topping variant gets a 360-degree parking camera and a clever rear autonomous braking system that should stop the car if you’re about to reverse into a bollard or a passing car.

Safety

• Five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP
• Plenty of standard driver assist tech
• Good child occupant protection score

The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric crashes well. It scored 85% in the adult occupant category in Euro NCAP’s tests, with the only points of concern being the driver’s chest in the frontal impact and marginal protection from whiplash for those in the front seat.

Child occupants are well-protected, too. The Megane scored 88% in that category – and the testers praised car’s ability to shield both its six-year-old and 10-year-old dummies from severe injury. You also get Isofix points on the front passenger seat, which are ideal for securing newborns. When paired with the points in the back, it also means you can carry three children if need be.

The Megane’s overall safety assist score is identical to the Kia Niro EV’s at 79%. However, the Renault performed much better in the speed assistance category, thanks to its more accurate traffic sign recognition system and cruise control.

Watch the Renault Megane E-Tech Electric crash test video