The electric Mégane is a good car. The problem for Renault is that it is now competing with two vehicles that have strong arguments in their favour.
Arriving in dealerships in May 2022, the electric Mégane is off to a good start: 33,000 copies were sold in 2022. A welcome that reassures the Diamond, this model marking the start of a new stage in its electrification strategy.
But shortly after its debut, the electric Mégane saw the arrival of a formidable rival: the MG4. This Chinese has a massive argument, its knockdown prices. And as if that were not enough, in addition to being attacked from below, the French is also attacked from above with the Tesla Model 3, whose prices have just melted. The Mégane therefore seems to be caught between two types of competition, which could both divert a good part of its clientele.
The best MG4 remains cheaper than the basic Mégane
On the one hand, there are therefore those who will not be able to resist the price argument of the MG4. Even if there was a price increase at MG on January 1 (+ €1,000), these remain guns. The MG4 starts at €29,990, compared to €39,000 for the Mégane. In both cases, this corresponds to a “deflated” technical version.
But even on this point, the technical sheet of the MG4 is more flattering. At 29,990 €, it has a block of 170 hp and a battery (LFP) which gives a mixed WLTP autonomy of 350 km. The Mégane advances 130 hp and a range of 302 km with a 40 kWh battery.
And side equipment, the MG4 has nothing low-cost. As standard, it has driving assistance in traffic jams, intelligent high beams, attention sensor, 10.25-inch touch screen… The air conditioning is automatic while it is manual on the Megane. The latter also does not have automatic high beams.
The problem for the Renault is that the MG4 drives the point home with the “top-of-the-range” version, which costs €35,990, which is still less than the basic Mégane. And there, we have a 204 hp engine, a 64 kWh battery which gives a range of 450 km and equipment enriched with 360° vision, heated front seats or even the heat pump. For similar autonomy, the Mégane starts at €42,000 (with 220 hp engine)!
Tesla’s spec sheet has everyone in agreement
And there casually, we are approaching the price of a Tesla Model 3! Because this is the good news for the start of 2023. Tesla has just melted the prices of its sedan. Overnight, the rear-wheel-drive version went from €53,490 to €44,990. That is 8,500 € less. And this drop allows him to benefit again from a bonus, of 5,000 €, an aid that is found on almost all Mégane (you must have a price under 47,000 €).
Suffice to say, with this drop in price, the comparison is painful for the Mégane. Because the Tesla announces 491 km of autonomy, while the Renault caps at 470 km with an optimized variant with a more basic look. And the maximum charging power of the Tesla is 170 kW, against 130 for the Renault. Added to this is a more generous size for the American, which is thus more welcoming.
Moreover, in its infancy, the Mégane was already suffering from this comparison, the Tesla costing €43,800 at the start of January 2022. But its prices had soared in a few months, giving a little air to the Renault, which ended up raise its prices for the first time last December.
A well finished Mégane made in France
But then, what can remain in the Mégane? On paper, there is no longer a match with elements from the technical sheet, even if the Mégane has some advantages in its pocket on this point, such as the possibility of a 22 kW alternating current recharge. At the wheel, the Mégane also offers great driving pleasure.
The French still has real arguments to put forward, and rational arguments! Faced with the Model 3, the Mégane can clearly advance a better quality of manufacture. This is a real defect of Tesla, whose products regularly reserve unpleasant surprises for their buyers, especially in terms of assembly.
On the same subject, if the MG4 has a correct finish in relation to its price, Renault has put the small dishes in the big presentation side, knowing that it is expected at the turn on this point. By taking care of materials and small details, the Mégane gives off a very good impression of quality. This also involves a successful multimedia system, with a high-level OpenR system developed with Google, which is aesthetic, intuitive and responsive at the same time. The Mégane thus has better ergonomics in the face of a less well-designed touch interface in Chinese.
Another asset of the Losange: the network. This one is vast. When there’s a concern, Tesla customers can struggle to make their voices heard with a sparse network. Renault means a large number of garages and dealerships and a more responsive after-sales service. Of course, each garage is different, each customer experience can be, so we will find delighted Model 3 owners, annoyed Mégane buyers.
One can also put forward less rational arguments, because after all, the purchase of a car does not only follow objective criteria. Thus, facing the MG, the Mégane can put forward a neater, more modern look. The look of the Renault is thus very popular. Already in the basic version, there are larger rims (18 inches) and the handles hidden in the silhouette have their effect.
Another subjective argument for the Mégane: it is made in France. Hence, moreover, prices that are less drawn down. To take it is to favor French jobs, while the MGs and Teslas come from China.
Read also
Video test – What is the real autonomy of an electric Renault Mégane?
The electric Mégane is a good car. The problem for Renault is that it is now competing with two vehicles that have strong arguments in their favour.
Arriving in dealerships in May 2022, the electric Mégane is off to a good start: 33,000 copies were sold in 2022. A welcome that reassures the Diamond, this model marking the start of a new stage in its electrification strategy.
But shortly after its debut, the electric Mégane saw the arrival of a formidable rival: the MG4. This Chinese has a massive argument, its knockdown prices. And as if that were not enough, in addition to being attacked from below, the French is also attacked from above with the Tesla Model 3, whose prices have just melted. The Mégane therefore seems to be caught between two types of competition, which could both divert a good part of its clientele.
The best MG4 remains cheaper than the basic Mégane
On the one hand, there are therefore those who will not be able to resist the price argument of the MG4. Even if there was a price increase at MG on January 1 (+ €1,000), these remain guns. The MG4 starts at €29,990, compared to €39,000 for the Mégane. In both cases, this corresponds to a “deflated” technical version.
But even on this point, the technical sheet of the MG4 is more flattering. At 29,990 €, it has a block of 170 hp and a battery (LFP) which gives a mixed WLTP autonomy of 350 km. The Mégane advances 130 hp and a range of 302 km with a 40 kWh battery.
And side equipment, the MG4 has nothing low-cost. As standard, it has driving assistance in traffic jams, intelligent high beams, attention sensor, 10.25-inch touch screen… The air conditioning is automatic while it is manual on the Megane. The latter also does not have automatic high beams.
The problem for the Renault is that the MG4 drives the point home with the “top-of-the-range” version, which costs €35,990, which is still less than the basic Mégane. And there, we have a 204 hp engine, a 64 kWh battery which gives a range of 450 km and equipment enriched with 360° vision, heated front seats or even the heat pump. For similar autonomy, the Mégane starts at €42,000 (with 220 hp engine)!
Tesla’s spec sheet has everyone in agreement
And there casually, we are approaching the price of a Tesla Model 3! Because this is the good news for the start of 2023. Tesla has just melted the prices of its sedan. Overnight, the rear-wheel-drive version went from €53,490 to €44,990. That is 8,500 € less. And this drop allows him to benefit again from a bonus, of 5,000 €, an aid that is found on almost all Mégane (you must have a price under 47,000 €).
Suffice to say, with this drop in price, the comparison is painful for the Mégane. Because the Tesla announces 491 km of autonomy, while the Renault caps at 470 km with an optimized variant with a more basic look. And the maximum charging power of the Tesla is 170 kW, against 130 for the Renault. Added to this is a more generous size for the American, which is thus more welcoming.
Moreover, in its infancy, the Mégane was already suffering from this comparison, the Tesla costing €43,800 at the start of January 2022. But its prices had soared in a few months, giving a little air to the Renault, which ended up raise its prices for the first time last December.
A well finished Mégane made in France
But then, what can remain in the Mégane? On paper, there is no longer a match with elements from the technical sheet, even if the Mégane has some advantages in its pocket on this point, such as the possibility of a 22 kW alternating current recharge. At the wheel, the Mégane also offers great driving pleasure.
The French still has real arguments to put forward, and rational arguments! Faced with the Model 3, the Mégane can clearly advance a better quality of manufacture. This is a real defect of Tesla, whose products regularly reserve unpleasant surprises for their buyers, especially in terms of assembly.
On the same subject, if the MG4 has a correct finish in relation to its price, Renault has put the small dishes in the big presentation side, knowing that it is expected at the turn on this point. By taking care of materials and small details, the Mégane gives off a very good impression of quality. This also involves a successful multimedia system, with a high-level OpenR system developed with Google, which is aesthetic, intuitive and responsive at the same time. The Mégane thus has better ergonomics in the face of a less well-designed touch interface in Chinese.
Another asset of the Losange: the network. This one is vast. When there’s a concern, Tesla customers can struggle to make their voices heard with a sparse network. Renault means a large number of garages and dealerships and a more responsive after-sales service. Of course, each garage is different, each customer experience can be, so we will find delighted Model 3 owners, annoyed Mégane buyers.
One can also put forward less rational arguments, because after all, the purchase of a car does not only follow objective criteria. Thus, facing the MG, the Mégane can put forward a neater, more modern look. The look of the Renault is thus very popular. Already in the basic version, there are larger rims (18 inches) and the handles hidden in the silhouette have their effect.
Another subjective argument for the Mégane: it is made in France. Hence, moreover, prices that are less drawn down. To take it is to favor French jobs, while the MGs and Teslas come from China.
Read also
Video test – What is the real autonomy of an electric Renault Mégane?
