A glance at the sleek bodywork of the new Mégane tells much of the story behind the direction Renault wants to take in the 21st century.

Altogether leaner and more athletic in both its stance and road manners, the third generation Mégane weighs in at 8kg less than its predecessor, yet it is a bigger car. Shedding that bit of weight, combined with more efficient engines, brings benefits in performance, emissions and fuel economy.

The ride height has been lowered and the body wears powerful, sweeping Latin-inspired curves, but Renault has achieved the lift in style without sacrificing interior roominess or comfort, which were features of the previous ‘shake your ass’ model.

And that spaciousness is what will help maintain the Spanish-built Mégane as a popular family hatchback choice.

The sensation when travelling is of being in a much larger car. Renault says the shape of the seats and the upholstery materials have been chosen to maintain comfort on long journeys and they do their job well. A long front seat cushion and thick cushion foam ensure a comfortable ride for driver and front passenger.

Seat adjustment controls are easy to reach, so it takes no time to set the seatback and headrest angle, driver’s lumbar support and seat height. The steering wheel is also height and reach-adjustable.

The cabin has a classy dashboard design, with an analogue rev counter positioned alongside a digital speedometer that is easy to read. The speedometer is centrally positioned and incorporates the cruise control/speed limiter display and “door open” and tyre pressure warning lights.

When the cruise control/speed limiter system is activated, the speed selected is displayed at the top of the speedometer, which itself is ringed by an arc of lights. In speed limiter mode, the red segment lights up as vehicle speed increases; the selected speed flashes as a warning if it is exceeded.

Priced from about £14,000, the new model enters a highly competitive European C-segment market, where it goes head-to-head with established rivals such as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.

Safety has become a key selling point in all family cars and the Mégane is well equipped in that department with all models fitted with six airbags, an electronic stability programme with anti-skid regulation and understeer control, and anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution.

More visible standard equipment across the range includes air conditioning, keyless ‘Renault card’ entry, power-assisted steering and heated electrically adjustable door mirrors.

Move up the range and options range from leather upholstery and automatic headlamps and wipers, to dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth and a top-end Arkamys audio system.

The Mégane name first appeared in 1995 as a replacement for the Renault 19 and quickly established itself as a massive seller, with its wide variety of models, becoming Europe’s best selling car by 1998; a position it has maintained every subsequent year, up to and including 2004.

Auto facts Renault Mégane hatch 1.9 D Privilege dCi

  • Price: £18,150
  • Insurance group: Ten
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 55.4mpg
  • Top speed: 127mph
  • Length: 429.5cm/169in
  • Width: 180.8cm/71.2in
  • Luggage capacity: 13.1 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 13.2 gallons/60 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 134g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles