This week it's the Renault Megane, which was in fact my personal favourite car in 2016 when the current and fourth generation was launched.
I liked then the bold style, distinctive but not off the wall. I liked the quality and space of the interior. I appreciated the refinement of its engines, updated from the already well-proven units available from the Nissan-Renault Alliance. And the driving experience ticked all the boxes I need.
All those still apply. Three years on is too soon for significant changes to the car, not that they are yet necessary. But one important new item is the 140hp turbo petrol engine that was added to the powertrain options just a year ago. It is opportune too, as there's that distinct move back to petrol preference by what is now a buying public less interensted with saving a few quid on Road Tax and happy to pay thousands of extra euro to do that. As someone who consistently pointed out the financial folly of buying into diesel in inappropriate driving circumstances, I'm happy to see some balance restored.
The review car was also in GT Line specification, which adds substantially to what is an already well-graded entry level Megane. The key upgrades include larger alloys, a bigger control screen with inbuilt navigation, all-round parking sensors and a rear camera, automatic headlight dipping, sports seats, and extra tinting on the rear passenger windows.
There's also blue-themed GT Line badging and trim details. Plus all the driver assistance technology that you'd want.
Paradoxically, a couple of those high-end items caused me some angst. The automatic headlight dipping sometimes seemed a tad slow, at other times it wouldn't allow me go to main beam. And the sporty seats with biggish side bolsters did make it a little less easy to get out of the car.
Small niggles, yes, and the automatic dipping could be switched off. I suppose when there's lots good about a car, these things stand out a little more.
That new engine is, on my experience in this car and lately on a couple of other models from the Alliance, a very accomplished motor indeed. In the Megane it had the six-speed manual which seems to suit it very well.
In these last few years, the competition has been advancing, and the latest Ford Focus is making things a little tougher for the French car. The delayed release of the next Golf until 2020 has provided a modicum of breathing space from that quarter.
But the Megane is well placed to hold its own in the compact family segment for a little time yet.
PRICE: Entry €22,140; review car €27,615. WHAT I LIKED: That it still bears out my original view. RATING: 4+/5.
