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Renault Megane e-Tech vs Volkswagen ID.3: which to choose?

Volkswagen id 3 vs Megane e tech

In the market for electric family carsmarket, there isn't as much choice for drivers wishing to acquire one as there is for the range of small electric electric city cars. Popular models in this range include the Nissan Leaf e+ the Kia Niro EV or theHyundai Kona Electric. Two electric models targeting families have recently appeared and are determined to shake up the competition in this category. These are the Renault Megane e-Tech and the Volkswagen ID.3 .

Both manufacturers have placed their bets on these models, taking into account the decision of theEuropean Union concerning banning the sale of combustion-powered cars from 2035.. Although the two electric cars are different from each other in terms of design, they are relatively similar similar in terms of aesthetics. The same applies to their dimensions. For this reason, it seems worthwhile to draw up a comparison between the two vehicles. The other aspects, which we'll develop in greater detail later, will highlight the main differences and help you choose the ideal model for you.

In this comparison of the two family electric vehicles, we invite you to discover their features, strong points and weaknesses to help you decide which is best suited to your needs.

Also read ⇒ Top 5 best electric family cars!

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Renault Megane e-Tech vs Volkswagen ID.3: convincing performance

The Renault Megane E-Tech is technically nothing like previous Megane models, using the CMF-EV platform, which is also the basis for the Nissan Ariya Nissan Ariya. The electric vehicle is offered with two battery sizes (40 kWh and 60 kWh). Prices for the electric Megane start at 42 900 €benefiting from the ecological bonus bonus of 5 000 € and the conversion bonus up to 5 000 €.

Battery capacity

The Volkswagen Group has made a major entry into e-mobility with the Volkswagen ID.3. Prior to this only electric variants of existing models (e-up, e-Golf) were offered.. THE ID.3 is based on the modular electric platform (MEB), on which all the automaker's all the automaker's new electric cars are builtincluding the German brand's most popular models such as the Volkswagen ID.4the ID.5 and the ID.Buzz. The Volkswagen ID.3 is available with two different battery capacities (58 kWh and 77 kWh) for respective ranges of 420 km and 550 km respectively.. When the ID.3 was launched, the German manufacturer also offered a version with a battery capacity of 45 kWh battery capacity with a range of 330 km range. Unfortunately, this version of the electric vehicle is no longer on the market. Whatever the battery's capacity, it is guaranteed for 8-year or 180,000 km. The price of the cheapest model is 46 100 €, environmental bonus from 4 000 € not deducted.

Also read → How long does an electric car battery last?

The power

The long wheelbase, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive and their own system software are common features of electric vehicles. The Volkswagen ID.3 and the Renault Mégane e-Tech have different power ratings, depending on the model. Indeed, the French brand offers electric motors from 130 hp or 220 hpdepending on the version chosen (Equilibre, Techno or Iconic).

For its part, the Volkswagen ID.3 Pro Performance Active and the Pro S are rated at 204 hp. The engine of the Volkswagen ID.3 Pure engine is rated at 150 hp.

The motors of most electric cars in general promise rather interesting top speeds. However, this is not the case for the lower-end models of the ID.3 and the Mégane e-Tech. They're not the best performers in this respect. For speed enthusiasts, these two models won't satisfy their craving!

And for good reason: the least powerful version, the Renault Balance e-Tech 130 hp has a top speed of 150 km/h with a 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds. The Volkswagen ID.3 Pure slightly more powerful than its equivalent competitor, is slightly faster, with a a top speed of 160 km/h for a 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds. The most powerful and fastest versions from Volkswagen and Renault have a time of 7.3 and 7.4 seconds respectively 0 to 100 km/h.

Dimensions and physical specifications

In terms of performance, you can see that the Volkswagen ID.3 and the Renault Megane E-Tech are pretty close, on any version. It's in terms of dimensions and physical specifications that the two models begin to diverge.

In fact, the ID.3 Pro Performance Active battery weighs 375 kg compared with 290 kg for the Renault Mégane e-Tech. The unladen weight of the French vehicle is 1,595 kg. By contrast, the Volkswagen ID.3 is significantly heavier, with an unladen weight ranging from 1,812 kg. So there's no doubt that the Renault benefits from greater driver comfort.

Battery life

In terms of autonomy, with a fully charged battery, theID.3 easily reaches 340 km, with a fuel consumption of 18.5 kWh/100 km at spring-like temperatures. In the fast chargepower remains just over 100 kW for a short period, then drops off.

The Mégane is at the forefront when it comes to charging options. AC charging (type 2) is possible with the Mégane, and up to 22 kW. Fast charging with a capacity of up to 130 kW. With its 60 kWh battery, the Mégane achieves a range of 370 kma little more than the Volkswagen ID.3.

Also read ⇒ Renault Megane E-Tech test drive: is the best electric car French?

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Interior and technology: all the details

Today, it's becoming increasingly common to see electric electric cars with a rather sober interior sober and minimalist. Examples include Tesla and its Tesla Model 3 with its sleek, simple interior. The Volkswagen ID.3 and the Renault Mégane e-Tech are no exception to this growing trend. For the most part, the physical controls on their dashboards have been removed. Most functions are now controlled directly via the infotainment system on the central touchscreen (12-inch for the e-Tech and 10-inch for ID.3). As far as software updates are concerned, both cars are perfectly compatible with each other, so drivers will be sure to benefit from the latest functionalities and multimedia innovations of the electric car throughout its lifecycle.

A completely redesigned interior

Megane e tech interior

Inside the Volkswagen ID.3 there's no need to press the start button, just climb aboard, press the brake pedal and the ID.3 starts automatically ! The display behind the steering wheel is permanently connected to the steering column, but the displays are very small and non-adjustable. The car's fuel consumption can only be consulted via the large display in the middle of the dashboard. The architecture of the ID.3 has a futuristic feel. The small screen behind the steering wheel provides information on navigation navigation, the speedand cruise control and assistance systems. Menu navigation is relatively easy to understand, and underneath the display, the temperature and volume of the multimedia system can be changed by swiping or tapping the screen. The selector lever for setting the direction of travel is located to the right of the small display behind the steering wheel.

The French brand innovates

megane e tech interior
megane e tech interior

With its ultra-modern cockpit, the Renault stands out from the crowd by having its screen positioned in portrait mode. screen positioned in portrait modewhile the ID.3 offers a more common landscape screen. In addition, the Mégane e-Tech has physical buttons positioned under the screen, including menu shortcut keys and heating and air-conditioning controls. The infotainment system was developed in collaboration with Google, making navigation planning extremely simple. The touchscreen reacts without delay, and represents a clear step forward compared with systems on previous vehicles from the brand. Menu navigation has also been designed for ease of use. The large standard 20-inch as well as its tall stature, give the electric compact electric compact exactly 4.2 meters look much bulkier than it actually is.

Weak point: narrow windows, especially at the rear, don't make it easy to see the whole picture. However, the optional interior mirror with rearview camera display can easily remedy this problem.

Highlight: the excellent finish and high-quality materials. The numerous storage compartments and large shelves, particularly in the center console, are very practical for everyday use.

On the other hand, occupants have slightly less freedom of movement than in the Volkswagen ID.3 or any other model in the same range of electric electric compacts such as theHyundai Konamainly due to its reduced interior width. On the other hand, it's interesting to note that the trunk of the Renault Mégane e-Tech has a greater trunk capacity than its German competitor. As we'll see in greater detail later, it's larger and more spacious.

A healthy dose of practicality

The Renault Megane E-Tech Electric and the Volkswagen ID.3 measure approximately 4.2 m longwhich makes them slightly shorter than an equivalent combustion-powered car such as a Golf. Despite this slight reduction in length, both cars offer space volumes comparable to a conventional family car. This is partly due to the long wheelbases of the two electric models (length between front and rear axles) of 2,68 m for the Renault and 2,77 m for the Volkswagen. This frees up interior space for passengers.

Similar dimensions

trunk volkswagen id 3

Obviously, you can't expect dimensions worthy of the largest electric vehicles in its range. On the other hand, the ID.3 and the Mégane E-tech both offer a completely flat floor, which considerably considerably improves legroom.. They provide adult passengers with more than reasonable space for longer journeys. In particular, the Volkswagen spoils rear passengers with a freedom of movement unheard of in the compact class. 26 centimetres of legroom. Trunk space is ample, and the adjustable load floor can also be raised to the height of the load sill. The seats are supportive, comfortable and don't cause back problems. The length and height-adjustable steering wheel allows you to find the optimum ergonomic seating position.

The Volkswagen ID.3 needs very little space to turn around. The front wheels can be widely turned thanks to the rear-wheel drive, and the small turning radius of 10.2 meters makes theID.3 extremely maneuverable. Another strength of the electric caris its dynamic driving dynamics: precise steering that's extremely safe to drive.

Also read ⇒ The electric Volkswagen ID.3 marks Volkswagen's return to the electric scene

France beats Germany in transport capacity

renault megane e tech trunk

As seen above, the two electric cars offer fairly equivalent qualities and are very well positioned in terms of quality and passenger capacity. Luggage transportation and trunk capacity are very important features, and are much taken into account by the driver when purchasing a vehicle in the electric compact range. In this respect, Renault has the edge on paper, especially when it comes to luggage capacity. But even so, theID.3 has nothing to be ashamed of trunk capacity of 385 liters rivalling that of the Golf. This is remarkable considering that the car's electric motor is housed under the boot floor. The Renault comes out on top with a much greater load capacity of 440 liters.

The dimensions of the two electric cars are very similar. 

95 cm wide, 73 cm long and 81 cm high for the Mégane e-Tech and 102 cm wide, 78 cm long and 75 high for the ID.3 . Unlike some other electric cars, however, the Renault and Volkswagen offer a trunk at the front, occupying the place where the engine compartment is normally located on a conventionally powered car.

Some technical specifications

Renault Megane e-Tech EV60 Volkswagen ID.3 Pro Performance 58 kWh
Motor power
160 kW
150 kW
Number of horses
218 hp
204 hp
Autonomy
450 km
416 km
Battery power
60 kWh
58 kWh
AC wallbox load power
22 kw
11 kW
AC recharge time
3h15 min
6h15 min
Fast charge power
129 kW
124 kW
Fast recharge time
30 min.
31 min
0 to 100 km/h
7.4 sec
7.2 sec
Fuel consumption (WLTP)
16.1 kWh/100 km
15.6 kWh/100 km
Maximum speed
150 km/h
160 km/h
megane e tech engine
volkswagen id 3 engine

Renault Megane E-Tech vs Volkswagen ID.3: what you need to know

These two electric cars offer very attractive options if you're looking to swap your current combustion-powered family car for an equivalent electric model. They're perfect for families. However, if you need an electric car that can cover many kilometers without needing to be recharged, then theID.3 is certainly more suitable than the Mégane e-Tech. Nevertheless, the ID.3's larger battery is reserved for a top-of-the-range finish, so you'll have to opt for the higher-priced model.

For its part, the Renault Megane E-Tech promises on paper to be a close alternative to the Volkswagen. The areas where it has an advantage are more in terms of size and space than performance. These elements could be serious advantages that will tip the balance in your decision between the two compact.

So you know all about ID.3 and the Mégane e-Tech and their many secrets! Which of the two electric cars appeals to you most, and why? We look forward to hearing from you!

Picture of Adrien-Maxime MENSAH
Adrien-Maxime MENSAH

If you believe in the electrification of vehicles, you're already halfway towards your ecological transition. That's why I'm offering you some content on the electric vehicle environment.

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