The Megane Grand Coupe is a car with a rather grand name and one's expectations are heightened by a name that suggests sharp and edgy design features, along with comfort and an interesting interior. Whatever about the interior, the exterior looks as if someone lost their nerve somewhere along the way. It does not have sharp and edgy design, but rather a mix of compromise and practicality. It's pleasant to look at but it's not going to turn as many heads as the name might suggest. However, it does raise the Megane profile, which is probably the main objective anyway, and give the car a chance to make some impression when it has failed to do so thus far, eclipsed by the big names like Focus and Golf.
With the grand coupe you have to remind yourself that it is not typical of the Megane experience. It features a 8.7 inch screen centrally located that is as good as you will find in a big Volvo and is as easy and pleasant to use for all functions. It defines the interior. However, you won't get the big screen benefit in the standard Megane, just the classic radio system. Neither will you get the leather upholstery or the panoramic sun roof or the hands-free boot opening or the automatic handbrake.
The more standard Megane.
And of this brings us to the price difference. The entry level Megane without the frills will cost you €21,990. The Grand Coupe, on the other hand, will cost you €29,940 with the bells and whistles. That puts the car up against some of the best cars on the market in this segment. It also leaves the standard Megane pitting itself against a newly-revised Golf in the near future. And a revised Golf with better technology and connectivity is a major challenge.
The GC also has a 1.6 litre diesel engine, which is the best thing about the car. It is frugal and more than capable of returning about 5.3/5.4 litres per 100 kilometres consumption. It's easy to drive, it has plenty of pulling power before it peaks and it cruises really well, if a little noisily. It's not outstanding in performance but it fits the car very well. It is also very efficient but it presents challenges in terms of overall power.
The rest of the interior of the Megane GC was lifted by the big screen and the ability to pick and choose from different colours of ambient lighting but, when you take both away you are left with a rather dull and dated look and a dashboard line that is not finished any great degree of creativity. And the switch gear I've seen a hundred times.
The front seats under the thighs are also low and flat and the seat travel for the driver on the GC means anyone with long legs is going to have a problem. Leather seats do take up more space but they also mean the rear leg space is terribly limited. Rear headroom too is also compromised by the rake of the roof. The boot does offer decent space but it's not cavernous. An annoying feature is the fact that there is no release mechanism for the boot outside and you have to use the key button every time.
One thing that is certainly in the Megane GC's favour is the fact that it is a saloon and there are'nt that many saloons out there that have the presence of the GC. Its coupe credentials might be weak but it does have a distinctive saloon profile.
