I’ve seen most of the 22kW posts up my way being 2x22kW. They take a 64A supply. Cheap for the owner/host to put in & maintain. Unfortunately the only thing with the new chargepoint regulations that will be a slight downside is a cost premium to use them. Card readers are to be mandatory for all new ones in a couple of years. That’s extra running cost to be passed to the user.
@@0-Will-0 Same as that. Seems to be only Nissan (Ariya) and Renault that are currently implementing it, the German & Koreans seem to be 11kW max. Not sure about the Chinese brands.
We have a few 22kW posts at my workplace, so I’ll not need to worry about the time I will spend hooked up to them an hour will get me well over 100 miles added range..
Hi Andrew, interesting review 😊 I'm into my 4. month with the Megane Iconic, and I'm really enthusiastic about it. Mine has heat pump, and the infotainment screen is bigger in the Meganes sold here in Denmark. Apple Carplay works perfectly. The dark interior is a matter of taste, and I like it. You're right about the mystery around charging: When charging, you cannot turn on the car without forcing the charging to stop. I found a workaround in a Megane-forum, though... Just tip the ventilation lever, and you "keep the system alive"
Great Video 👍 One problem with Renault its self for me. Before January the Megane e tech came with a 5 year warranty. Now its a 3 year warranty. Chinese EVs soon start to look a better deal with 7 year warrantys .
Since this video the top spec Megane has dropped in price quite considerably, along with the introduction of the 12.9" infotainment screen for us in the UK. I believe the heat pump is now included as standard in all new cars (March 24 onwards)
All software - Route planning, driver assistance, voice control - is so far superior on the Megane compared to the MG4. And if the efficiency on both cars is similar, at least, the Megane has the excuse of going for good looking approach. Great feedback as always ! Will be curious of what YOU think of the MG4 now.
@valleysofneptune I drove an MG ZS EV for 9 months and suffered a charging port defect - It took the dealership nearly 3 months to get a replacement part. So I can confirm the dealership issue from personal experience.
The thoughts i was waiting for. Since i placed my order for this car in june. Ive watched many hours of youtube content to learn more about ev's. Your channel is the best ive saw, ive learned so much. Keep up the good work. A nearly perfect car will do me.
Andrew, I'm about three months in to my ONTO subscription with the Renault Megane E-tech and pretty much agree with everything you have said. The 22kWh A/C charging rate has been so important for me and I don't think I would change for a vehicle that didn't have this charge rate. I have noticed that the radio controls on the stalk are not great and just don't work sometimes but voice control might get round that. One beef I do have is that there is a total lack of information on the cruise control buttons on the left of the wheel. By experimentation I have found that you need to ensure lane keeping is on, pressing the bottom right button on steering wheeel and then pushing up the control to set the target speed seems to do the trick - no idea what the others do! Lane keeping/adaptive cruise control is amazing and really making long journeys that much easier - really didn't expect this feature! Watch out though, when it loses track of the lines and turns off lane keeping, it makes no warning sound at all, which seems a very odd decision bearing in mind all the other sounds it can make and how dangerous this can be! Love the auto locking and unlocking and just so used to walking away knowing that it will lock. Auto windscreen wipers go a bit mad sometimes! Boot capacity is amazing and way better than most similar vehicles. I feel almost guilty that I don't use the paddles much, but rarely find any point to them. Thank you hugely for your reviews - really enjoy the family holiday/long distance ones!
Just come across your videos Andrew you have a natural easy going nature that really makes viewing your videos a joy. Lots of good info, on the car information tips and grumbles which will be most useful when I come to receive it. Thanks
At 12:21 you can see your driver's door insulation/whateverthatis is all messed up. You should probably pull that back over the metal to reduce the wind noise
I've just ordered the Megane techno in Midnight Blue on motability, It was a close call after testing the Kia Niro EV as that was a great car to drive but could only afford the base level 2 spec, so the Megane won me over with it's extra features. This will be my first EV as well after watching your channel and a few others. It's really helped me into my transition into the EV world and I am thankful for that.
I've recently altered my order and gone for the Techno plus. Which adds a heat pump at no extra cost, will be interesting to see how the efficiency improves 😊
@@dazaaw I think its got something to do with the resale values when we hand them back in 3 years time. A megane with a heat pump would be more desirable to a buyer than 1 without. It's motability's way of encouraging you to get the better car because it works out better for them.
Hi Andrew, this is such a brilliant review of the Renault Megane E-tech. I found this review to be honest and not negative for simply being a French car! Yes, ok I am a Frenchman and the way you review is from a point of view of how we would like to see what it is really all about. This is be perfect for myself and Clément which is my Airedale Terrier dog :) I just subscribe as I found you brilliant in the way to perform your reviews. Well super done and apologies for my English!
I have owned an ID3 and now a Niro EV. My brother owns a mid spec MG4. The MG4 is right up there in comparison. More low end torque and quieter than the Niro, very similar to the ID3 in fact. Except the price and the software is better! I am really liking the Niro EV though. It’s a keeper!
Absolutely love Megane Techno spec. The MG4 feels like a cheap car compared to the Megane. I had the MG4 Trophy on order for months before cancelling and going with the Megane. Yes it is priced higher but even with the cut down spec we in The UK get it is worth the extra. MG4 just worried me so much with it's dealer and HQ issues, Cars being bricked because of stupid update issues, dealers not having a clue and then people literally getting locked in their cars. No the Megane is the better vehicle and we'll worth paying for compared. The 22KW charging is one of the most under rated/under mentioned feature. Every other EV I've used annoys the hell out of me with the max 11KW charging in AC.
The issue with having the charging point towards the front of the vehicle (especially front bonnet) is that it requires you to drive front first into a parking spot and subsequently reverse out of the parking spot. It's always safer to reverse into a parking spot and then drive out, going backwards in any vehicle should always be kept to a minimum. For instance - imagine you live on a busy road, the highway code says you should not reverse onto a main road from a side road/driveway. It's situational, but something I've thought of before.
You boys both sound like you need a refresher course in driving…. Did you both miss the module on reversing safely …. I can’t believe either of you wrote such waffle… To reverse into a driveway on a busy road, you slow down on your approach to the entrance using hazards . Then pass slowly , stop, put in reverse, indicate your are reversing into the drive. By this point all traffic behind you would have understood what you are attempting , and allowed you the space. This is how you reverse onto a drive from a busy road. Go back to school….both of you .
Thank you Andrew nice test where you go into many practical details about charging on the car and pedals! Remember that prices have dropped drastically here lately!
As you say the ONTO subscription really works for you and enables these great reviews. Would be great to see what you think of the MG4. We we are on our 5th & 6th owned EV, e-Niro & KONA, perfect for us, we don't want any other EVs
A good video with your thoughts on the Megane. It’ still at the top of the options for our next EV when we have to hand the Leaf back in Jan. I believe some (all?) of the models have a video rear-view mirror option to counter the very small rear window. I saw in one of the comments too that there is now an option for a lighter interior which will be good - the darkness in the back is one thing I’m not sure about for our kids (they both get car sick, so feeling too dark and enclosed wouldn’t be good)…… PS totally unrelated but at around 12:30 it looks like Ronald McDonald walks past the back of the car 😂
popped into Renault supplier really liked the outside 9 outa 10( nice one ren ) , didnt test drive or go through some of your irritating design or tec features BECAUSE boot space was just simply too small for our lifestyle , V dark interior due to black roof lining and no roof glass , wifes immediate downside was actually the A pillar width including mirror housing as she is a 5ft 2 incher and said if 1or 2 sub 7 yr olds were wanting to cross on lights or zebra she feels her vision would be really bad in seeing them when approaching( we live in built up area) We have a ren kadjar which has wide A pillars and door mirror housing BUT we sit higher up so less of a problem .
The dark headliner was the one thing the kids didn’t like when we looked at one. There’s bow an option for a lighter interior which is far better from a rear passenger perspective. Definitely a potential ZOE replacement 👍🏼
My elderly neighbours have just replaced their Zoe with the Megane and they absolutely love it. I like the look of the eMegane, but it’s smaller than I had imagined. Nor does it have one pedal driving which I was very surprised with. I always liked the look of the Megane,the new EV version is the nicest yet. I drive a medium spec Ionic 5 which wasn’t much more expensive but a far nicer and more impressive car. I have two friends who claim they would never buy a French car again after lots of problems with previous purchases.
I’ve had mine now since September and I seriously can’t fault it. Yep the price is steeper than others, but i. Tested a few prior and this one got me. I’ve got the techno + model with the heat pump so right now it’s a massive help with the weather. I actually bought mine so I’ve got it for a few years, we’ll see what I think I three years when it’s paid up. But great review as always. Oh the boot issue with the brake pedal, it’s annoying but I found adjusting the seat made a very slight difference. The only thing I wish they did was the 12.9 portrait screen like the left hand drive versions, but the infotainment I think is awesome.
@@wolfgangpreier9160 I just checked Model Y. if I take in the features in my megane e-tech. I payed less for mine than Tesla would charge me. Tesla IS a much bigger car though.. but the build quality, the physical buttons for many useful features in stead of the screen on the tesla wins me over. If I were in the position of buying a car again? Still would have picked this over the TMY. The new scenic however would have been a much bigger competitor :)
Thanks Andrew. Good honest review covering lots of useful topics. I have 2020 Eniro. Not sure I could live with that elevated brake pedal though. I wish I knew how you remain so incredibly calming, relaxed and natural even whilst on camera! You must be super laid back. I wish I could learn how to be so relaxed in life, let alone when on a broadcast recording! I really admire that ability. I would be a quivering nervous wreck if I tried it. Well done. Peter.
Andrew! Well go drive the MG4 then 🤣. Personally having driven all the cars you mentioned plus the born, more than once, all, as you said, are competant cars but the one I liked least to drive was the ID3, with probably the born as my SLIGHT favorit and the MG4 second. BUT I cannot ignore the very large difference in price, so for me the MG4 is the clear winner.
That’s interesting. I actually really liked the drive in the ID.3 - I just have a real problem with the infotainment and controls. I really need to drive the MG4!
That brake pedal looks very high compared to the accelerator pedal which looks dangerous to me. I'm not a fan of charge ports on the front fender like that, seems like the cable is always trying to rip off the charge door at charging stations with short cables. I prefer charge ports on the rear corner of the car, my Leaf had it in the front and it was always a pain to open it in the winter with snow and ice always freezing the door closed when driving in winter weather.
One aspect of these mid sized ev reviews that is almost always not mentioned is their ability or not to have tow hitch, or bike transport compliant hitch fitted. Just a quick mention would be helpful as many people carry bikes about, but for example the 77kw ID3 cannot use the transport hook behind the number plate, but the lower battery sized variants can. Knowing if any family EV supports this is useful and for many critical to purchase. Cheers for the clear real world reviews.
Good info, nice car but no way they can justify that price. MG4 trounces not only on cost but warranty too, now an extra 4 years after Renault cheaped out & showed no confidence in the vehicle.
Hi, only just watched this video. I found it really good and your annunciation was brilliant. Calm voice that I can definitely listen to again. Very informative too. Congrats. (Subscribed too 👍)
Thanks, another enjoyable informative video Andrew. There are discounts available on the Emegane... £35,000 for the E-Tech, so not such a large premium for avoiding the MG4... No premium at all compared to other Chinese brands!... they're not as cheap as some people think.
The MG4 XPower is a no brainier if you are going to spend a starting price of £36495 on a Megane. I’m looking to replace my E Niro model 4 2021model and the MG XPower is looking like the best buy. I really do not like the new E Niro. It looks awful and I think the interior is a step down from the previous model. So…
Great video. You didn't list Kona along with those other candidates. The 2023 is now bigger in the back and boot and I love the styling. Also more range and efficiency than new Niro. Definitely a candidate to replace my e-Niro!
I sat in the new Kona this week and for me it’s perfect, I had use of the previous model Kona Electric for a month last year and I fell in love with it. Unfortunately for me I’m potentially ordering in September/October and Hyundai told me the new Kona Electric will not be available until December/january… fully recommend a visit to your local dealer to see one (they have hybrids and petrol coming in)
I saw the new Kona at Fully Charged. It looks great and I’d fancy it as my next car. I didn’t mention it purely because it’s not released yet. I’m going to ask Hyundai nicely to try and get one for a day.
Had ours for 6 months and agree about the charging speed missing from the display and the scrimping on the smaller display is a pain as it obscures loads of information.
Thanks for the round up. I had one of these mid spec Megan's on a 48 hour test drive from Renault. It was in winter and obviously a car which had previously back to back test drives. I had needed to make a trip to the Midlands for a funeral and charge to 100% the night before. It showed only 180 mile range and that's about what I achieved with mainly motorway driving. I liked car but there were three issues for me. 1. Rear visablity 2. The loading aperture too narrow when rear parcel shelf in place. (I noticed that you had removed it) 3. The mixture of touch controls on the steering wheel. It should be one or the other. Interested to hear if you found these annoying. I bought a 3 year old model 3 after testing the Megan
Hi Andrew, your views on the negatives are exactly the same as mine were when I drove the Megane last year. I opted for the Niro EV with grey pack - which gives a nice airy feeling to the car. Love your wifes thoughts on the gear selecter - tell her its not just women that confuse the wipers with it, I did too. The wheel is simply too busy with all the stalks etc. I also hated the 'creep' that you cant stop when you put it in drive. They are emulating a problem that old auto boxes suffered - why? On the Niro EV you can disable it by turning on the regen braking. Renault have 'almost' cracked it with this car, I too loved it but the negatives put me off it and I bought the Niro EV which I love. Range wise I am also seeing 300 miles on my EV 4 with heat pump, which is so good! Great review though, and keep including your wifes comments!!
I actually quite like creep! Good to have the option to disable it though. From memory there was an Auto Hold button in my old Niro/IONIQ 5 that stopped it as well. But yes, the Niro is such a brilliant car. I’d love another. I just wish the navigation was as good as the Megane’s - although I understand there’s an update now that does route planning with charge stops? The efficiency of the Niro really is a marvel too.
Who let the chickens out, who who .... ok I couldn't help myself. Ahhh, what's a video without the princess disagreeing with you and putting you in your place with style.... LOL. I like the look of this car Andrew. I agree with you.
I really liked the Megane, it is a beautiful car inside and out. But it is just too small for a family car, why did they make it so short and narrow? There is very little room in the back seat, my feet didn’t even fit under the front seats. The boot has a massive load lip and whilst it is deep, it is also narrow, so not the most practical. It’d be a great car for people without kids or maybe younger kids. Shame it is so expensive as well, a car that size needs to start in the low £30 thousands
The “issue” with power+brake shutting down charging is pretty standard among EVs. Power+brake means “I want to drive”, therefore the vehicle stops the charge. You wouldn’t drive away while pumping petrol 😂.
With so many negatives it’s just not good enough, problem is we tend to put up with most cars having so many problems and in 2023 why do we have to accept these issues especially when paying lots of money. One down side I noticed was getting in and out the roof line is so low I kept hitting my head.
Currently an id3 owner and think this is at the top of the list for a replacement. I know you say there is plenty of space but I am similar height to you and the back looks very cramped in comparison to the id3 and as it's a ground up ev seems disappointing - welcome thoughts
From what I remember, the ID3 felt a bit roomier in the back. Nice car, but the controls and infotainment weren’t for me so I’d pick the Megane for that reason alone. My wife would pick the ID.3 I think!
have a colleagues who have there 3rd electric car in last 10 years ( or so). I am driving the same diesel car for the last 13 years. Somehow, I think my cumulative impact on environment is much lower than those who.....
That's great you've kept your car for a long time. People don't hold onto purchases long enough these days! That said, in terms of EVs, the carbon 'breakeven' point (when an EV is 'greener' than ICE) is apparently around 11,000 miles (in Europe anyway): www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-21-misleading-myths-about-electric-vehicles/#:~:text=“An%20EV%20has%20to%20travel,carbon%20debt”%20from%20its%20battery. As the grid gets cleaner and EV batteries improve (in terms of materials), that will obviously improve. Also, EVs obviously go into the second-hand market when sold or at the end of their lease, so it's not too a big deal anyway.
Hahahah of course Mrs. EV is brought in for the "what irritates the sh*t out of me with this car". Fantastic. I would really like to know what you think of the new NIro Ev. i think you'll love it. Especially the space inside and out.
I've had my Iconic in White with Black roof for 7weeks now. I've driven it on long journeys, and when driven carefully on Eco, I get between 280-302 miles range (although don't go above 57-59mph😉). What really helps is that, unlike almost every other EV, the Megane doesn't affect it's range when the blowers/heaters are on, as the power doesn't come out of the EV batteries. It comes out of the car's normal 12v battery (like it does on a ICE car). Only the AC does. But don't forget, the Megane is one of the lightest EV's on sale (lighter than a Zoe). Helped by aluminum and Carbon Fibre construction. Only the Mini and Fiat 500 are lighter. Plus don't care anout rear visability. It has a wide-angle rear view mirror camera....Brilliant!! Plus Google is fantastic! You cannot beat phone tech! It's the most up-to-date around, constantly updated.
Thanks for the content. Enjoyed your comments. Would you recommend the Renault for long trips to France, for example? Perhaps the AC charging would help when not on the motorway? Like to hear your thoughts. Again, thanks for your honest comments.
Yes. The fact that it is a Chinese car when their leadership is behaving so antagonistically, bothers me a bit. Similarly, if Mini moves production there, I don't know what I'll drive next.
Charge port on the front is a pretty bad idea during winter: it can sometimes get frozen and won't open on many car models (cf. Bjorn Nyland's videos). That's why the Hyundai/KIA group is slowly getting rid of that idea and putting the charge port in on the rear of the car.
I can absolutely agree with that, I have an E-niro (2021 model) and the charge port has frozen stuck for me a couple of times. The new Hyundai Kona Electric still has the front charge port, but on the new model they added heating to the charge port to solve this issue, brilliant idea I think.
After buying my leaf I had the charger installed at the front of the garage, I almodt signed on the bottom line for an new MG4, but the left rear is the worst possible spot to put the charge port. Right rear or front or centre rear is fine.
ok, dark interiors are not good imo. yesterday went to look at the new KONA. petrol only N LINE. atm, be November before we see the EV. Very very impressed except for the black roof lining, but apparently that is a N LINE thing. 52k AUD, so expect the EV to be 20k more.
Megane was our original first choice but at the time no heat pump option, limited rear view and rear seats not comfortable for adults for long journeys because of the height of the seats. Also only 60kwh battery only option. Cupra Born available in 77kwh. I do like that it has 22kw AC charging option.
Like your review Andrew. Unfortunately Renault Australia have knobbled this by reducing the AC to 7kW, idiotic for unknown reason. The charge port if it was in the front as Bjorn has shown in other cars it could freeze shut probably better on the back quarter panel similar to the classic Ioniq or many others. I also would prefer a level load bay in the back of it as I take my lawn mower, handles folded, in my Ioniq(classic) and it fits and is easy to get in and out but this one I would bet would not fit my lawn mower. It does use the google automotive system like the Polestar & Volvo cars, think more cars need it particularly Hyundai/Kia who don't do route planning in their software. There is no floor space looking at what you showed to put my foot other than that stupid footrest that all car makers love to have, being tall 6'4" my foot I prefer on the floor not on the footrest next to the brake pedal.
Given you had a roof rack to go to Italy in the Kia I'm surprised you like the Meganne boot, I test drove it and it was deep and short, no good for bikes (back wheel would have to come off) and we're a dog in the boot family and it's a dog jail back there, I'd have had to make a shelf or something
We are on a PCP with the ZOE and at the exchange/walk away point, we were wondering about upgrading to the Megane - or maybe the scenic to come? Uncertain about the 60kW battery capacity and range for the price.
Yes Andrew, thank you for mentioning the fact that the MG is a Chinese car. It does bother me a lot. Huge. Whenever I have a choice, I will not buy a “made in China” product. That’s why no Tesla no MG no iX3 for me.
Thanks for the review. Route planning looks useful - much better than my MG4. The Renault also looks plusher. However, hard to ignore the massive price gap, plus the mediocre range. That charge port is also badly placed. Dont know why makers haven't standardised on one location. Big plus for me is the MG charge port is convenient - esp for Tesla chargers.
A lot of the spec was altered for the UK version compared to the EU and other countries specs. In colder climate countries it can have a heat pump but Renault Decided we don't need it 🤷🏻♂️.
I’ve test driven both. The Ariya drives like a big Leaf, but the regen is a bit dampened. The ionic 5 feels massive, I think it’s because the interior is so de-cluttered, full width front floor without a centre console. Both very nice drives though.
i see it has the same seat material as my 2015 zoe, i was cleaning my seats the other day and they were messing with my eyes haha. yea the break and start button stopping charge is a pain. as i get in and automatically do it and it stops the charge
142 quid a month for a car like that. How's that possible? When I look for subscription services in the netherlands, prices are significantly higher. What's the difference here???
