Renault Megane CC

Not the best-looking coupe-convertible out there, but also not the worst. You can do better if you try.

• Comfort

  The same soft suspension that tries to hide the lack of chassis stiffness helps keep the ride comfy, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Renault’s general ability to keep engine noise under control and wind noise to a minimum. The coupe/convertible roofs might not be strictly necessary, but they do impart a feeling of security when you’re jumping in on a bitter morning and hitting the m-way first thing.

  

• Performance

  The CC gets a proper broad spread of engines from Renault’s range, so there’ll be something here that suits. At the bottom there’s a 99bhp 1.4 and at the top sits a 2.0 turbo with 165bhp. Best is the 2.0DCi 150. It gets 148bhp, hits 62mph in a reasonable 8.7 seconds and can top out at a hairpiece-threatening 130mph – all with reasonable economy.

  

• Cool

  Council flash if we’re honest. The kind of car bought as a sop to a nagging housewife, or purchase by younger ladies who want a drop-top but know nothing about cars, except that the Renault dealer is the one with the big sign next to Waitrose.

  

• Quality

  Renault’s commitment to improving build quality over the past couple of years shows in the Megane – those French fit’n’finish jokes don’t have much of a punchline these days. Interiors are well finished, materials sensibly used – though there have been reports of niggly electrical problems which nevertheless irritate the ownership prospect.

  

• Handling

  Softened-off suspension means that the Megane CC really isn’t that much fun to drive quickly – understeer is pronounced and early, reigned in by the on-board electronics with a fairly heavy hand. Better at cruising, but you’ll be surprised by the amount of general wobble when the roof is stowed. Stick to urban tooling about.

  

• Practicality

  The Megane CC goes for style rather than space – rear seat passengers will be cramped and look unstylishly crumpled. Bootspace is also pretty compromised by the folding roof – the hatch gets an ok 330-litres, the CC gets a large backpack-sized 190-litres. Saying that, you’ll be fine if you’re billeted up front.

  

• Running costs

  All engines offer reasonable economy (the 148bhp diesel returns a smidge under 50mpg), and insurance groups are pretty good, with the highest being just 11. Residuals aren’t great, but the initial purchase price is good, so there’s a trade-off between the two.