98: Renault Megane – Stylish and comfortable if lacking in quality

The new Megane is one of those cars that you just want to like more than you do. It looks terrific, for start, and never better than when in Sport Tourer estate form. Those big wraparound lights, and that proud, protruding grille are really striking, so you’re more or less sold on the Megane as soon as you see it.

The problems start inside, where the quality levels of the cabin are just not up to snuff - it's just too dull and too grey in there, and the fiddly R-Link infotainment system is well behind what's on offer from the likes of VW, Opel, and Hyundai. Still in the grand traditions of French motoring, the seats are really comfy, and there's decent space on offer.

The familiar 1.5 dCi diesel engine is still a good unit, but the chassis and handling are actually pretty poor. The steering is to detached from what’s happening, which would be forgivable, but what’s worse is under-damped suspension that runs out of travel too fast on bumpy Irish roads and starts clattering into the bump-stops. So-called ‘Grand Coupe’ is what we used to call a saloon.

Best model: 1.5 dCi Dynamique Nav