2016 Renault Megane GT Quick Spin Review

Price: From $38,490 plus on-road and dealer costs.

Vitals: 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol, 151kW/280Nm, seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, 6.0L/100km, FWD.

What is it?

The current flagship variant of Renault's all-new Megane range, which focuses on fun rather than luxury thanks to a larger, more powerful engine, suspension tuning by the Renault Sport division and a unique four-wheel steering set-up.

What it isn't

A genuine hot hatch, but it does fill a temporary void left vacant until the proper next-generation Megane RS is revealed late next year.

What does it say about me?

That you enjoy a spirited drive every now and then, but don't need it to be the fastest car on the planet or don't want to put up with the compromises of a more hard-core machine.

Who else is buying it?

Young, style conscious owners - both male and female - that want something a little left of centre and a little fun to drive.

What colours does it come in?

There's eight hues to choose from, with just one solid colour - white - and seven metallics that cost $600 extra, including the standout Iron Blue on our test car.

If it were a celebrity, who would it be?

Dannii Minogue; petite, stylish and talented in her own right, but still an understudy for the real hero, big sister Kylie in her case and the upcoming 'real' RenaultSport hot hatch in the case of the Megane

Why would I buy it?

Because it's a great little car that is easy to live with, looks good and is great fun to drive.

Best bits?

The unique four-wheel steering system - which only operates in the Sport mode - makes for great handling, improving its agility at low speeds and stability at higher speeds, and is unique to the small car segment.  The RS-tuned suspension is also more comfortable than the base-model Megane and yet more sporty at the same time.

Worst bits?

The dual-clutch automatic gearbox can be a bit hesitant and clunky from a standing start.

Will it let me down?

Renault hasn't had the best reputation for reliability in the past, but the Megane's basic hardware has been in service for a few years now without too much trouble. Besides, the French brand offers pretty solid peace-of-mind with a five-year warranty.

Does it cost too much?

At $38,490 (plus on-road costs) it isn't cheap and lands right on the cusp of genuine hot hatch territory. It would be more convincing with a sticker price lower in the $30k bracket.

Will I get a deal?

Probably not yet, as the all-new Megane range has only just started trickling into dealerships.

Will it get me noticed?

That's hard to tell at this stage. Yes, it is a good looking car so there might be some head-turning moments among suburban carparks but it you're buying it for the performance cred then it doesn't stand out as much.

Does it go?

Even though it has a launch control function, it's no firecracker in a straight line with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds. However, its 1.6-litre turbocharged four cylinder - with 151kW and 280Nm - feels livelier than the numbers suggest.

Does it like corners?

The combination of its feisty engine, RenaultSport-tuned suspension and the four-wheel steering system makes it a fun car to punt through a twisty mountain road.

What about bumps?

As mentioned previously, despite its sporting pretension the Megane GT has a more compliant and well-rounded character than the base-level models, soaking up bumps with less jarring through the cabin while maintaining a confident element of body control.

How's the stereo system?

In terms of how it sounds, it's okay for this end of the business. But Renault's latest R-Link multi media system - housed here in a portrait-style touch screen - can be a bit confusing to navigate.

What about service stations?

With a claimed average consumption of just 6.0L/100km, the Megane GT isn't a big drinker and even the odd fast blast won't push it into double digits. So, on that front, it offers a nice balance between performance and economy.

Would you buy one?

If it was a few grand cheaper, then it would be an easier question to answer. But, if you're after a genuine hot hatch, then there are other, more exciting options that are not that far out of reach.

What else should I consider?

So, if you're just after a stylish small car then a top-of-the-line mainstream Volkswagen Golf - say a $35k 110TDI Highline - is a pretty classy alternative, as is a mid-spec Peugeot 308 or a range-topping Mazda3. If the performance side of things is more important, then the Ford Focus ST, Skoda Octavia RS and Subaru WRX both offer more grunt and fun for the same money. And then it's not hard to get into a base-model Golf GTI for a little bit more.

The spin

Beautiful Technology

The translation

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• For more information, visit our Renault showroom page