Although it might be getting on in years now, the Renault Megane Sport Tourer is stilll an eye-catching alternative to more mainstream small estates and SUVs. Now in facelifted Phase 2 form, it receives some much needed mechanical tweaks, as well as a slimmed-down model range and all-new plug-in hybrid E-Tech version to top the range.

And when we say eye-catching, we really mean it. Small estate cars tend to be quite functional-looking things, but the Megane is flush with sharp details, flowing lines and attention to detail make it instantly recognisable alongside its most direct rivals. The front and rear lights are daring looking, and at night, the rear LED signature is unlike any other car on the market.

As for it standing out on the road, put it down to being a rare occurance seeing one in the wild – sales haven’t been stellar. Price-wise, the Megane goes up against the Peugeot 308 SW, Hyundai i30 Tourer and Vauxhall Astra Sports Tourer, but also on the same shopping list as the Ford Focus Estate, Volkswagen Golf Estate and super-spacious Skoda Octavia Estate. The strength of the opposition is reason enough to explain the Megane’s rarity.

Style over space

The clue that the Megane Sport Tourer is more style-focused is in the name. Rivals like the Volkswagen Golf Estate and Skoda Octavia Estate don’t have fashionable lifestyle-orientated monikers and trump the Renault for outright space, with more than 600 litres of space on offer in both cases.

A 521-litre capacity with the rear seats in place means the Megane Sport Tourer actually has a slightly smaller boot than its predecessor as well as quite a number of hatchback rivals. The seats do fold flat to reveal a large, square 1,504-litre load area, though, which is a much more estate-like performance.

What’s it like inside?

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It’s as stylish inside as out, with sporty-looking seats and trim, as well as a heavily-sculpted dashboard topped off by an unconventional portrait-format infotainment screen. The Sport Tourer has the same interior as the hatchback, and thanks to a simple model line-up, you won’t be overwhelmed by choice when it comes to speccing-up your Megane.

There are just two models in the range – Iconic and R.S Line, and even in ‘entry-level’ trim, it’s up-to-date and comes with bags of standard equipment. But the it’s in the R.S Line model where you really see where Renault has put in the effort in delivering a functional and inviting interior design.

Going back to its portrait touchscreen, much like the Volvo XC90, with simple controls and neat digital dials in higher-spec cars, the Megane looks far more modern than its 2015 launch date would imply. On the whole, quality is good, and it certainly looks and feels more interesting than more functional rivals.

There’s lots of advanced safety equipment on offer too, with lane-departure warning, traffic-sign recognition and automatic high-beam fitted as standard. Features like adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blindspot monitors are also available.

Renault Megane Sport Tourer engines

Reflecting the fact there’s just two trim levels, the Megane comes with a slim range of engines that should cover most buyers’ needs. There’s just one petrol engine – the 140hp TCe, available in six-speed manual and seven-speed EDC dual-clutch automatic transmissions. If you want a diesel, you’re limited to the super-economical 115hp DCi in manual and automatic forms.

The big news for the Phase 2 Megane is the addition of the plug-in hybrid E-Tech version. It combines a 9.8kWh battery pack and two electric motors with a 1.6-litre petrol engine to deliver a maximum power output of 160hp, and 205Nm of pulling power. It’s been designed to maintain battery charge as long as possible for use in urban areas with an E-Save drive mode, as well as Sport mode for those in more of a hurry. You can read more about this model in the Engines and MPG Running Costs sections (linked below).

Click through the next few pages to read everything you need to know about the Renault Megane Sport Tourer including its practicality, how much it costs to run, what it’s like to drive – and whether we recommend buying one.