Review: Renault X84 Megane (2003-10)

Review: Renault X84.I Megane (2003-06)

Overview

Released in December 2003, the Renault X84 Phase I (X84.I) Megane range initially consisted of three- and five-door hatchbacks, with the sedan following in March 2005 (the X84 Megane Coupe-Cabriolet and X84 Megane RS have been reviewed separately). The front-wheel drive X84.I Megane was available with 1.6-litre K4M and 2.0-litre F4R four-cylinder petrol engines which required premium unleaded petrol; the full X84.I Megane range given in the table below.

Designed by Patrick Le Quement, the X84 Megane hatchback was 4209 mm long, 1777 mm wide, 1457 mm tall and had a 2625 mm long wheelbase. Relative to the hatchback, the Megane sedan was 289 mm longer (at 4498 mm), the same width, 3 mm taller (1460 mm) and had a 61 mm longer wheelbase (2686 mm).

The X84 Megane had MacPherson strut front suspension (with a rectangular lower arm) and a torsion beam rear axle; electric power-assisted steering was fitted as standard.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the X84.I Megane included twin-volume front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist, front seatbelts with dual pretensioners and dual load limiters and outer rear seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The three-door hatch was also equipped with anti-submarining front seat airbags to compensate for its secondary front seatbelt pretensioner being built into the lower section of the seatbelt lap-strap (as opposed to the buckle for the five-door hatch and sedan).

Brakes

The X84 Megane had 280 mm ventilated front brake discs and 240 mm solid rear discs.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , a 2002 five-door Megane hatch – with a 1.6-litre petrol engine – received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.1 out of 37. In the frontal offset impact test, there was only a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver. In the side and pole impact tests, maximum points were awarded.

Features

Standard features for the Megane Authentique included a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, front fog lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking with Renault card, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, electrochrome rear view mirror, power mirrors and windows, trip computer and immobiliser.

The Megane Expression was further equipped with climate control air conditioning and driver’s seat lumbar adjustment; the limited-run Estival edition was also equipped with 16-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof.

Compared to the Expression, the Megane Dynamique added 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, body-coloured door mirrors and heat reflecting windscreen. Beyond this, the Megane Dynamique LX featured 17-inch alloy wheels and full leather upholstery. Although the Megane Privilege was fitted with smaller, 16-inch alloy wheels, it was also equipped with leather seats as standard.

Review: Renault X84.II Megane (2006-10)

Overview

Released in July 2006, the X84 Phase II (X84.II) Megane introduced a revised line-up, improved safety equipment and mild cosmetic changes. The three-door hatches were discontinued and, in June 2007, the range was expanded with the introduction of 1.9-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel (‘dCi’) models.

Visually, the X84.II Megane could be identified by its tapered headlights, revised grille and bumpers and translucent rear lights for hatch models. Inside, the X84.II Megane featured more tactile materials, revised instrumentation and carbon filter for the air conditioning system. The X84.II Megane’s electric power steering system also provided greater feedback and more precision to the introduction of tube-in-tube link between the two steering column shafts.

Safety equipment

Safety equipment for the X84.II Megane was enhanced with electronic stability control and traction control made standard across the range.

Features

Compared to its X84.I predecessor, standard features for the X84.II Megane included a four speaker sound system (previously six speakers). However, the Dynamique was fitted with a six-disc CD player and the Privilege received rear parking sensors.

Related links

• Specifications: Renault X84.II Megane Sedan (April 2009)
• Wikipedia.org: Renault X84 Megane