Quirky styling conceals a cabin which has less rear seat space than its appearance suggests; this is actually the only weakness on which is otherwise an excellent car.

Obtainable in a wide variety of specifications and mechanical packages (in the entry-level 72PS 1.4 litre through to the barnstorming 225PS turbo two litre within the Megane Renault Sport) Megane will come in three and five door hatch, and estate forms.

Handling of the lesser models is biased towards comfort – soft and gentle understeer is about the agenda -but the Renault Sport version is sharp as a freshly-fitted scalpel blade – but at the expense of a jittery ride that passengers will complain about.