Renault e-tech range and two rivals
Discussion
I am slowly edging towards my first electric car, which would be via my work ss scheme. This is Knowles Fleet, and I believe prices come out a little more than other ss providers as it doesn’t affect my fairly chunky mandatory public service pension contributions.
I like Renault in general (Clio RS200 in the garage) and have been following the R5 development, reviews and thread etc on here with a lot of interest. I sat in Loafer’s car a few weeks ago but wish I’d spent a bit more time talking to him about it and looking around it in more detail! I love the design and the range and performance of the larger battery would be fine for me, but I am also interested in the forthcoming R4 with that little bit of extra rear space and regen capability.
The internal space aspect is a consideration as I have three children (13, 11, 10) albeit it wouldn’t be often that all five of us would be travelling in this car; more often than not it would be just me on my short commute or me plus one or two of the children. As a result though I have also been looking at the Megane, which seems very competitively priced (I assume as an older car), considering the Techno spec includes heated seats and wheel along with 220 bhp and a longer range than the R5 or R4. I also think the Megane looks great and understand it was facelifted last year with better tech and features. It has great reviews online.
On my work scheme the R5 Techno and the Megane Techno are within a couple of pounds of each other per month. Heart says R5, but head says the Megane is roomier, more powerful and has some better spec included. I can get a price on the R4, and it’s currently a lot more than the Megane, but I suspect the R4 price will come down a bit after they are actually released.
For another £25 ish per month the R5 Iconic, the MGS5 Trophy LR and the Škoda Elroq 60 also come into play! The MG and the Škoda are also fairly new models and have received great reviews so far. They also have the extra space as well of course plus longer range and more power and I am happy with the looks of them all.
So a bit of a dilemma at this stage - I guess I need to go and see them in person (tricky for the R4 currently), but, finally getting to the point, if anyone has any wisdom on the above - especially the Megane versus the R5/4 or the Škoda or MGS5, it would be greatly apprecated!
I like Renault in general (Clio RS200 in the garage) and have been following the R5 development, reviews and thread etc on here with a lot of interest. I sat in Loafer’s car a few weeks ago but wish I’d spent a bit more time talking to him about it and looking around it in more detail! I love the design and the range and performance of the larger battery would be fine for me, but I am also interested in the forthcoming R4 with that little bit of extra rear space and regen capability.
The internal space aspect is a consideration as I have three children (13, 11, 10) albeit it wouldn’t be often that all five of us would be travelling in this car; more often than not it would be just me on my short commute or me plus one or two of the children. As a result though I have also been looking at the Megane, which seems very competitively priced (I assume as an older car), considering the Techno spec includes heated seats and wheel along with 220 bhp and a longer range than the R5 or R4. I also think the Megane looks great and understand it was facelifted last year with better tech and features. It has great reviews online.
On my work scheme the R5 Techno and the Megane Techno are within a couple of pounds of each other per month. Heart says R5, but head says the Megane is roomier, more powerful and has some better spec included. I can get a price on the R4, and it’s currently a lot more than the Megane, but I suspect the R4 price will come down a bit after they are actually released.
For another £25 ish per month the R5 Iconic, the MGS5 Trophy LR and the Škoda Elroq 60 also come into play! The MG and the Škoda are also fairly new models and have received great reviews so far. They also have the extra space as well of course plus longer range and more power and I am happy with the looks of them all.
So a bit of a dilemma at this stage - I guess I need to go and see them in person (tricky for the R4 currently), but, finally getting to the point, if anyone has any wisdom on the above - especially the Megane versus the R5/4 or the Škoda or MGS5, it would be greatly apprecated!
I have an R5 on demo at the moment - realistically the "room" issue is pretty binary. If you are taller than about 5'8" and you ever need to take anyone bigger than a 6 year old in the back, it's too small. It's not much more than a 2+2.
That may or may not help you decide! Good luck.
That may or may not help you decide! Good luck.
AI says:-
Škoda Elroq
Ideal if you want the SUV insight, greater interior space, rugged practicality, and long motorway range.
Excellent for families or weekend gear, thanks to the large boot and multiple storage solutions.
Performance-savvy, especially in higher trims or AWD vRS version, with up to 360-mile real-world range
Renault 5 E Tech
Perfect for urban dwellers seeking a compact, stylish EV with retro charm and smart tech like V2L/V2G.
Lower starting price makes it more budget-friendly, but sacrifices boot space and SUV versatility.
Great as a city runabout, but not built for long family trips.
Bottom Line
Choose the Elroq if you want SUV practicality, greater range and power, with an abundance of storage and comfort ideal for families, longer trips, and rural lifestyles.
Go for the Renault 5 if you prefer a chic, affordable, eco friendly hatchback for city use one that s compact, fun to drive, and full of clever retro-tech.
Škoda Elroq
Ideal if you want the SUV insight, greater interior space, rugged practicality, and long motorway range.
Excellent for families or weekend gear, thanks to the large boot and multiple storage solutions.
Performance-savvy, especially in higher trims or AWD vRS version, with up to 360-mile real-world range
Renault 5 E Tech
Perfect for urban dwellers seeking a compact, stylish EV with retro charm and smart tech like V2L/V2G.
Lower starting price makes it more budget-friendly, but sacrifices boot space and SUV versatility.
Great as a city runabout, but not built for long family trips.
Bottom Line
Choose the Elroq if you want SUV practicality, greater range and power, with an abundance of storage and comfort ideal for families, longer trips, and rural lifestyles.
Go for the Renault 5 if you prefer a chic, affordable, eco friendly hatchback for city use one that s compact, fun to drive, and full of clever retro-tech.
thepawbroon said:
I have an R5 on demo at the moment - realistically the "room" issue is pretty binary. If you are taller than about 5'8" and you ever need to take anyone bigger than a 6 year old in the back, it's too small. It's not much more than a 2+2.
That may or may not help you decide! Good luck.
Cheers, yes that is my main concern. I m about 6 and the children appear to be growing like weeds! Like I say, for 90% of my journeys it would be a non-issue, but the remaining 10% could be frustrating. I suspect the R4 would be a lot better in that respect. That may or may not help you decide! Good luck.
Curious about the Megane though, and any advantages/disadvantages that anyone with experience could raise?
Is the Megane’s operating system significantly behind the R5/R4?
Edited by sutts on Friday 27th June 17:03
RotorRambler said:
The Elroq interior is pretty much the same as the Enyaq (slightly smaller boot)
I have an Enyaq, huge inside & very quiet & comfortable.
Love the car, no regrets at all !
Take one for a spin?
The Elroq and the MGS5 do look like good value against the R5 Iconic. I’ve had Škodas in the past and liked them. In many ways I’d prefer a European car, but the MG is getting great reviews and is quite a handsome thing with good performance and range… the Kia EV3 is also just about in my budget parameters, but I’d rather give up a little less salary tbh! I have an Enyaq, huge inside & very quiet & comfortable.
Love the car, no regrets at all !
Take one for a spin?
thepawbroon said:
I have an R5 on demo at the moment - realistically the "room" issue is pretty binary. If you are taller than about 5'8" and you ever need to take anyone bigger than a 6 year old in the back, it's too small. It's not much more than a 2+2.
That may or may not help you decide! Good luck.
Blimey! there's one parked round the corner and it's huge...That may or may not help you decide! Good luck.
Yet, as you say, a squeeze for 4.
Did you get anything yet? I would say the Megane E Tech is def worth a look at if you haven't. I got one a few weeks ago and love it (other than the known alarm issue which is hopefully sorted).
I had a Nissan Leaf for 7 years so it's my second electric and the difference in the handling compared to the Leaf is massive. We also have latest model MX5 and Focus and quite recently I had a GT86 and I do very much enjoy driving the Megane. I had been wondering between the Alpine A290, R5 or Megane and saw some v cheap new Meganes on Autotrader with Renault dealers, cheaper than the R5, so that swung me. I have no regrets. When I took it in to have the alarm issue sorted I sat in an R5 and being tall, bit over 6' 3" it was just really cramped for me. Also dark in the cabin and smaller screens etc.
The Megane really works for me (no kids so not most room in the back for adults not an issue), handles nicely, nippy (although says 7.5 to 60 the reviews I saw where they tested it both clocked it at 6.9), v nice inside, big screens and great tech (the google software works very well/smoothly) but with some useful buttons also and looks good (I think). I have the Iconic (now Esprit Alpine) which has the camera view on the rear view mirror so the poor view out the back isn't an issue.
I would def say check out the Megane as an option if still looking, I have no doubts it was a much better choice for me than the R5.
I had a Nissan Leaf for 7 years so it's my second electric and the difference in the handling compared to the Leaf is massive. We also have latest model MX5 and Focus and quite recently I had a GT86 and I do very much enjoy driving the Megane. I had been wondering between the Alpine A290, R5 or Megane and saw some v cheap new Meganes on Autotrader with Renault dealers, cheaper than the R5, so that swung me. I have no regrets. When I took it in to have the alarm issue sorted I sat in an R5 and being tall, bit over 6' 3" it was just really cramped for me. Also dark in the cabin and smaller screens etc.
The Megane really works for me (no kids so not most room in the back for adults not an issue), handles nicely, nippy (although says 7.5 to 60 the reviews I saw where they tested it both clocked it at 6.9), v nice inside, big screens and great tech (the google software works very well/smoothly) but with some useful buttons also and looks good (I think). I have the Iconic (now Esprit Alpine) which has the camera view on the rear view mirror so the poor view out the back isn't an issue.
I would def say check out the Megane as an option if still looking, I have no doubts it was a much better choice for me than the R5.
Edited by Beakergb99 on Tuesday 5th August 17:24
Edited by Beakergb99 on Tuesday 5th August 17:53
Edited by Beakergb99 on Tuesday 5th August 18:56
I really like the look of the Megane, but for only an extra £10 per month on my ss scheme the Scenic was the obvious choice for me in the end with the additional space, so I ordered one last month - 26MY Techno in the flame red.
Expecting it to be about 3 months, I was surprised to get a phone call this afternoon to arrange a delivery date! There must have been some recently delivered for stock, and it’s arriving on the 18th.
Expecting it to be about 3 months, I was surprised to get a phone call this afternoon to arrange a delivery date! There must have been some recently delivered for stock, and it’s arriving on the 18th.
I’ve been looking over the last year or so of posts on one of of the scenic facebook groups and haven’t seen anything about alarm issues tbf.
The MY26 Scenic looks really well equipped even in the Techno spec, and I went to have a look around one at my local dealer with full disclosure I wasn’t buying from them, and he was very helpful and happy to show me around it. Looks really good. The space in the back is amazing, and for the times that I do have all three of my children with me it will be very comfortable for them.
The MY26 Scenic looks really well equipped even in the Techno spec, and I went to have a look around one at my local dealer with full disclosure I wasn’t buying from them, and he was very helpful and happy to show me around it. Looks really good. The space in the back is amazing, and for the times that I do have all three of my children with me it will be very comfortable for them.
Looks like it can have the alarm issue, a quick search:
"AI Overview
Yes, the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric vehicle has been reported to experience similar alarm issues as the Megane E-Tech. Specifically, some owners have reported the alarm going off randomly, sometimes triggered by the car's automatic locking feature when walking away. There are also reports of the alarm going off repeatedly, causing disturbance to the owners and potentially their neighbors. "
Along with a bunch of facebook hits on it in the search results. Hope you don't suffer it.
"AI Overview
Yes, the Renault Scenic E-Tech electric vehicle has been reported to experience similar alarm issues as the Megane E-Tech. Specifically, some owners have reported the alarm going off randomly, sometimes triggered by the car's automatic locking feature when walking away. There are also reports of the alarm going off repeatedly, causing disturbance to the owners and potentially their neighbors. "
Along with a bunch of facebook hits on it in the search results. Hope you don't suffer it.
I picked up a new Megane just over a month ago, not really driven it much but so far really like the car. Averaging about 4 miles per kwh on my commute and short journeys. Big test next week as I need to drive from Dorset to Yorkshire so first time figuring out charging, etc (the app suggests 2x 10 minute fast charges).
I did consider the Scenic, it's a nice looking car, and much better range, but ultimately didn't need something that big, plus didn't really get on with the ride when going for a test drive. For me it felt a bit unsettled, so would be curious to know what you think once you pick it up.
In terms of alarm issues, it did go off a couple of times the other week on the driveway for no obvious reason. But a few days later after driving it again I went to put the front windows back up but mistakenly flicked the rear switches, and one of the windows wound itself up, probably no more than half an inch. I'd not consciously opened them, so it's possible that I'd accidently knocked one of the switches a few days earlier and the slightly open window was the reason for the alarm going off. Just a possibility, and something to check if anyone is suffering from this issue as it's one of those things which is easily done without realising.
I did consider the Scenic, it's a nice looking car, and much better range, but ultimately didn't need something that big, plus didn't really get on with the ride when going for a test drive. For me it felt a bit unsettled, so would be curious to know what you think once you pick it up.
In terms of alarm issues, it did go off a couple of times the other week on the driveway for no obvious reason. But a few days later after driving it again I went to put the front windows back up but mistakenly flicked the rear switches, and one of the windows wound itself up, probably no more than half an inch. I'd not consciously opened them, so it's possible that I'd accidently knocked one of the switches a few days earlier and the slightly open window was the reason for the alarm going off. Just a possibility, and something to check if anyone is suffering from this issue as it's one of those things which is easily done without realising.
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