Rival reference always among compact cars, the Volkswagen Golf, version 1.6 TDi / 110 hp, is now in the Renault Megane 1.5 dCi / 110 hp a hard nut to crack.

Although recently landed in the category, I do not think they lack presentations, but facts: this new Renault Mégane comes to take on the world… And the Volkswagen Golf still there to try stop them. Are your strategies? Part by part. Price and value. O value and price. It is a constant whenever you face golf with another rival: the economic differences often make up the opponent with more equipment. And now do you not also comes into play product? Opel Astra, Peugeot 308 … Renault Mégane And. How they have shortened ground in this regard the main competitors of Golf, keeping distances greater or lesser extent commercially. And to show a button: additional equipment that offers this finish BOSE Renault Mégane Here you go all prices gamma- against a more basic VW Golf His prices- that, at equal power, has a similar price.

These are the main "advantage" supplied for French: lane change warning, assistant of hill start, changing lights Short automatic long, and camera control rear view, control and speed limiter, keyless entry and starting or climate control, besides having a larger list of options you could not ride in the Volkswagen Golf. Is your money equivalent? Quite. Now you throw another question. Are you still seeing the Golf a product of higher quality than the category average? I, in a way, yes, albeit from a very personal appreciation and above all from a panoramic full range -more engines, versions, …- transmissions.

Renault Mégane 1.5 dCi / 110 vs VW Golf 1.6 TDi / 110: equilibrium points

Now let’s open the analysis to the product itself. Very cool, Renault Megane design, inside and outside, it is a bucket of cold water in front of the VW Golf "lifelong" but, on practicality, any it’s a car of ten. He Golf it is not luggage capacity, too small compared with 380 liters to 410 liters opponent’re wasting this generation- 30 of; neither him Mégane dimensional leg in the rear seats: 71 cm 79 cm against the Volkswagen Golf. Focus now for the driver: outstanding ergonomics German, Renault Mégane not you can put the slightest paste both in appearance, performance, securing seats and driving position, with the sole exception of a limited visibility through the glass later. I pause, yes, one of the elements in discord, in the eye of the beholder: the very complete system R-Link2 the Renault Megane as sophisticated look that gives the interior and that somehow extends the already archiasimilado handling anything that has screen like a smartphone or tablet. I prefer shortcuts functions by separate buttons, but the lover insurance gadget you will find a great value in this Infotainment system, able to change from frame design watches to ambient lighting or report to the air quality among other infinite number of parameters, including an efficiency indicator. Turn precisely to talk about it.

Eco-Mégane. And is that, among those who spend little -the Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI / 110 is one of them – Mégane 1.5 dCi Renault / 110 is the best. Confirm its 4.9 l / 100 km, -5.3 l / 100 km from Golf- exceptional average 4.8 l / 100 km highway and 5.1 l / 100 km city and 6.0 -4.9 l / 100 km for Golf recorridos- them. The latest evolution of the 1.5 dCi engine, and for its sixth generation and new ingredients as their new steel pistons, continues to demonstrate efficiency foolproof, although it would be appreciated a stop / start better synchronized with the clutch.

Fast forward first do not underestimate the power level of both engines -in our bank have yielded more than declared, the Renault Megane 114 hp and 118 hp Volkswagen Golf- rather than honest to give today a compact car minimum of agility even in demanding conditions. And it is that although "little ones", develop good torque figures -28.2 mkg, also real, in each case, and excellent performance curves that make both the 1.5 dCi and 1.6 TDi well solve the equation responsiveness, affability and costs, both acquisition and use, something already proven.

Are therefore the most logical and balanced levels of both ranges, but now come the nuances, where the new Renault Mégane luxury is allowed to be charged a certain advantage. First, let’s look at the ones in the main measurements: 10.26 and 32.2 seconds in acceleration 0-100 km / h and 1000 m, respectively, for Renault Mégane 1.5 dCi / 110, versus 10,75 and 32.4 s for the Volkswagen Golf in the same exercises, walking distances. Recoveries are more decisive, because the gearbox 6-speed French car is worth its weight in gold. No vent to "its engine" in your last relationship -53.6 km / h by more than 1,000 rpm- fifth and final Golf relationship to its corresponding 1.6 TDi, with 52 km / h per 1,000 rpm-, but closes the gap between gears to optimize the use of the engine always in your area better performance without stretching it as much as timely to do with the engine of a Golf which is not bad to defend himself. So, while the Mégane recovers from 80 to 120 km / h in 8.5 seconds in 4th, the Golf does in 9.05 s.

Although both engines are really resilient, that extra gear that has the Renault Megane, with his idle point also somewhat lower, has also benefits when moving at very low speed with superior smoothness or regularity; Under these conditions, you feel it too less vibration in the Mégane, smoother when moving between transition streets and in short, a little older than his rival mechanical refinement.

Renault Megane vs VW Golf: Behavior

First of all insurance, I do not think another quality values ​​than this. Regardless of different tact of their respective chassis, both cars have impeccable behavior. Nuances a better steering feel for the Volkswagen Golf basically, a greater naturalness of its return to the central-point, but from the beginning you will feel higher fidelity and consistency in the front of Mégane, since the understeer Golf is somewhat more pronounced. Mégane also has a sound damping flexibility can even suggest some sports component, thus rotating with much less balancing the opponent and changing direction also faster and agile. All this without diluting at all the great general comfort and filtering capacity, frankly well resolved in this generation. Balance, the best under Golf, is now also guaranteed a Mégane before which, surely, will become head its path and you will be surprised to peek inside.

In a nutshell:

Acceleration: Among those who have equal power, only Opel Astra 1.6 CDTi is somewhat faster. Accelerate as expected to do so for power. With a more open 5-speed Volkswagen Golf is not sag more, perhaps, for his greater punch at high speed.

Frenada: The VW Golf, for distances. Renault magane, for their better initial bite on the pedal; 76 meters are somewhat above the Golf and average, but the behavior of both in critical phases of support or braking is really safe and noble.

SonorityEngine and body. The Mégane Renault 1.5 dCi is quieter while the interior of the VW Golf is better isolated, especially wind noise at high speed. With comfortable cushioning, both are great companions.

overtaking: Little gigants. It is the best quality turbodiesel, their relationship displacement / torque, and as shown by the two engines. While further progress of Renault Mégane change is worth its weight in gold both pleased to use as fuel economy.

Power and torque: The 1.6 TDI VW Golf, more consistent. It is "high" regime, where everyday you will approach probably only occasionally. I keep the elasticity of both the feature that really gives them pleasure to use.

consumptions: Low or very low. Renault has once again demonstrated the efficiency that hides its 1.5 dCi engine, highlighting the category with the lowest values ​​between similar cars. Improve, from my point of view, rapid stop / start of the French car.

Dimensions and weights. Cm vs. liters. Renault Mégane gives the size, and well; although the VW Golf delves decisive centimeters in the cabin, Renault does, in liters, trunk capacity. I see more balance in French. The weight, in the segment average.

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