Megane E-Tech vs VW ID.4 electric cars: which is the best to buy?
The German giant Volkswagen has recently shifted towards electric vehicles, with the VW ID.4 marking its entry into the electric SUV market. On the other hand, we have chosen to line up the Renault Megane E-Tech to help you find the one that suits you best between these two electric cars.
The electric car market has never been as dense as today, with new references arriving almost weekly. To help future buyers find their way around, we are proposing today to compare two vehicles that deserve attention: the Renault Megane E-Tech and the VW ID.4 electric car.
The French group has certain expertise in the electric field where it is almost a pioneer, with the Renault Zoe already a decade old. On the other hand, the German giant Volkswagen will have some serious assets to put forward with its ID.4, the electric family SUV that wants to be the main car of the household.
According to your profile, let’s compare the characteristics of these two models to determine if one is better than the other.
Megane E-Tech vs VW ID.4 specs
| Launch | Renault Megane E-Tech Launch | Volkswagen ID.4 Specifications |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February | Coming soon. Expected release 2022, Q4 |
| Base price | €41,700 | $37,500 |
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND EXTERIOR DESIGN
The Renault Mégane E-Tech almost redefines a car category on its own, with a size that is neither totally a crossover nor a compact but a relatively successful mix of the two. Rather short with its 4.21 meters length, it will be cut to park without problem almost everywhere. In width, the count is 1.77 meters, and the height is 1.50 meters.
| Body | Renault Megane E-Tech Body | Volkswagen ID.4 Body |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 5 door crossover, 5 seats | 5 door SUV, 5 seats |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 70.1 x 59.1 in (4210 x 1780 x 1500 mm) | 180.5 x 72.9 x 64.6 in (4584 x 1852 x 1640 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in (2700 mm) | 109.1 in (2771 mm) |
| Clearance | 6.1 in (154 mm) | 6.0 in (153 mm) |
| Weight | EU: 3765 lb unladen, 4758 lb gross | US: 4317 lb curb, 5423 lb GVWR (EU: 4317 lb unladen, 5423 lb gross) |
| Suspension | Front MacPherson struts, rear multi-link | Front MacPherson struts, rear multi-link |
| Wheels | R18, R20 | R18, R19, R20, R21 |
| Trunk | EU: 15.5 ft³, 47.0 ft³ max | US: 30.3 ft³, 64.2 ft³ max |
| Frunk | No | No |
| Towing | EU: 1653 lb unbraked, 2094 lb braked | No |
This is much bigger than the Volkswagen ID.4, a family SUV. With its 4.58 meters long, 1.85 meters wide, and 1.63 meters high, we are entitled to expect more space inside as well as in the trunk. Logically, a bigger vehicle means a heavier one: between 1,890 and 2,225 kilograms for the German, compared to 1,513 to 1,636 kilograms for the French.
Renault Megane E-Tech to Volkswagen ID.4 INSIDE
When you open the door of the Renault Megane E-Tech, you are greeted with a breath of fresh air. A two-screen layout (landscape behind the steering wheel, portrait in the center of the dashboard) gives the driver a perfect view of relevant information about the vehicle and the navigation or media being played.
| Comfort | Renault Megane E-Tech Comfort | Volkswagen ID.4 Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | Heated front seats, massage | Heated and ventilated front seats, massage |
| Roof | Panoramic glass sunroof | Panoramic glass sunroof, tilt & slide |
| Parking aids | Front, side and rear sensors, 360 camera, reversing camera | 8 front and rear sensors, 360 camera, front and reversing camera |
| Connectivity | Android Automotive OS | Wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay |
The materials are of excellent quality, and the comfort inside is impressive. The negative point, especially against the Volkswagen ID.4, will undoubtedly be the trunk volume: 389 liters for the Megane E-Tech, against 543 liters for the ID.4. Another advantage of the German car over the French vehicle is the generous space in the back of the SUV from the German group.
The interior of the Volkswagen ID.4 is overall qualitative, especially in its top-of-the-range finishes, where the combination of leather and fabric on the seats will ensure support and comfort, both in front and behind. The layout of the screens is perhaps less impressive than on the Megane E-Tech, however, with a small screen behind the steering wheel and a 12-inch touchscreen in landscape format in the center of the dashboard.
ONBOARD TECHNOLOGIES
On the versions of the Renault Megane E-Tech equipped with the appropriate optional package, there is a new interior mirror, which switches from a mirror to a screen broadcasting the rear camera feed at the touch of a button. This makes the poor visibility due to the poorly arranged rear window more acceptable.
| Displays | Renault Megane E-Tech Displays | Volkswagen ID.4 Displays |
|---|---|---|
| Center | 12″ touchscreeen | 10″ or 12″ touchscreeen |
| Driver’s | 12.3″ | 5.3″ |
| Head-up | No | Yes, with augmented reality |
Apart from that, Renault had an excellent idea to offer an integration of Google services natively, with Google Maps, Assistant, and of course, the Play Store, allowing you to download third-party applications to customize your interface.
The Volkswagen ID.4 offers the German group’s classic technologies, with a travel assistant that allows for partially autonomous driving, sign reading, and an augmented reality head-up display on some versions.
Apple Carplay and Android Auto are also to be had, and they’re also to be had wirelessly, which continues to be uncommon enough to be well worth mentioning. When planning, the in-vehicle navigation gadget considers the stops that had to recharge the ID.4, which indicates that the producer desired to provide a well-completed product.
Renault Megane E-Tech to Volkswagen ID.4 ON THE ROAD
Under the false air of a city car, the comfort on board the Megane E-Tech is reminiscent of that of more upscale vehicles, with a remarkable silence inside. The famous compromise between comfort and dynamism that is mandatory in most cars is well balanced here, with an engaging drive when desired.
| Performance | Renault Megane E-Tech Performance | Volkswagen ID.4 Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Power | FWD 220 hp (160 kW) | RWD 201 hp (150 kW) |
| Torque | 221 lb-ft (300 Nm) | 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) |
| Acceleration | 7.4 sec 0-62 mph | |
| Max speed | 99 mph (160 km/h) |
In both vehicles, one-pedal driving is unfortunately not part of the game, where regenerative braking, even at its maximum level, will not bring you to a complete stop.
The relatively high weight of the ID.4 will indicate that this is a vehicle made to be driven like a good father and not in a sporty way. However, the controlled suspensions of the top-of-the-range versions will ensure a certain comfort, and we will appreciate the excellent soundproofing even in bad road conditions.
Read more: Volkswagen ID.5 GTX Xcite, A SUV With Lamborghini Look
THE DIFFERENT ENGINES OFFEREDThe different versions in Renault’s catalog for the Megane E-Tech are as follows:
- E-Tech EV40 standard charge: 96 kW engine, 0 to 100 km/h in 10 seconds, top speed 150 km/h;
- E-Tech EV60 super charge: 160 kW engine, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, maximum speed 160 km/h;
- E-Tech EV60 optimum load: 160 kW engine, 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, top speed 160 km/h.
The Volkswagen ID.4 is available in four different engine options:
- Rear-wheel drive with 52 kWh battery: rear engine only (149 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 10.9 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- Rear-wheel drive with 52 kWh battery: rear engine only (170 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 9.0 seconds, top speed 160 km/h;
- Rear-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: rear engine only (204 hp), 0 to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, top speed 160 km/h ;
- All-wheel drive with 77 kWh battery: front and rear engine, 0 to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds, top speed 180 km/h.
RANGE, BATTERY, AND CHARGING
Offering between 300 and 454 kilometers of WLTP range, the Megane E-Tech seems to be cut out for long journeys. However, in a petty move by Renault, the entry-level version equipped with the 40 kWh battery does not come with fast charging as standard. Only a 7 kW onboard charger is included, ensuring that around 15% of the battery is recovered per hour of charging. That’s not much.
| Battery | Renault Megane E-Tech Battery | Volkswagen ID.4 Battery |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 60 kWh usable | 62 kWh total |
| Tech | Liquid-cooled Li-ion 352V | Liquid-cooled Li-ion 400V |
| Range | 282 mi WLTP | 208 mi EPA |
| Consumption | 3.9 mi/kWh WLTP | |
| Recuperation | Level 0 to 3 on shift paddles | Yes, via driving modes and driving profiles |
| Heat pump | Yes | Yes |
| AC Charging | Type 2 7 kW Type 2 22 kW | Type 2 11 kW |
| DC Charging | CCS 130 kW max |
The higher-end versions are equipped with a 60 kWh battery and accept a fast charge of up to 130 kW, allowing the battery to go from 10 to 70 percent in 25 minutes under ideal conditions. Finally, the “Optimum Charge” version has a 22 kW onboard charger, which allows the battery to be fully charged in about three hours at a suitable terminal.
With configurations offering up to 520 kilometers of WLTP range, the Volkswagen ID.4 with the 77 kWh battery is capable of becoming a household’s leading car. The first versions will have 345 kilometers of coverage, and with a 52 kWh battery for a big SUV like the ID.4, it will probably be too little to be serene and cross the country.
Count on 40 minutes from 10 to 80 % of battery in the best conditions, with a charging power limited to 125 kW. Finally, as far as slow charging is concerned, you will need seven hours to fill up the battery thanks to the onboard charger of 7 or 11 kW, depending on the version.
PRICE
Starting at $35,200, excluding the environmental bonus, the Renault Megane E-Tech begins with an aggressive price compared to the competition. But it is worth remembering that there is no fast charge possible for this price, which could be prohibitive for some.
To benefit from fast charging, you’ll have to consider the more expensive versions, with prices starting at $40,200 and going up to $45,900 (thus exceeding the $45,000 ceiling for the maximum ecological bonus).
For its part, the Volkswagen ID.4 has a starting price of $40,600 for a 52 kWh battery, which is more or less the starting price of the Megane E-Tech with 60 kWh batteries.
On the other side of the catalog, we find the ID. 4 GTX, which can go for up to 65,940 dollars if you check all the options.
Compare the Renault Megane E-Tech to Volkswagen ID.4 Safety
| Safety | Renault Megane E-Tech Safety | Volkswagen ID.4 Safety |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Front airbags, side airbags (front & rear), center airbag | 6 airbags: front, side, rear, including head airbag system |
| Driving aids | Active Driver Assist, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Sport Warning, Rear Automatic Emergency Braking, Occupant Safe Exit, Full Auto Park, Smart Rear View Mirror, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with pedestrian and cyclist detection | Front radar, 2 rear corner radars, front camera. Lane Assist, Dynamic Road Sign Display, Light Assist, Emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist monitoring, Travel Assist, Side Assist, Oncoming vehicle braking when turning and swerve support |
| Self driving | ||
| Crash tests | NCAP 2022: 5 stars | NCAP 2021: 5 stars, NHTSA 2021-2022: 5 stars |
WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THE RENAULT MEGANE E-TECH AND THE VOLKSWAGEN ID.4?
As you can see from this comparison, the winner between the Renault Megane E-Tech and the Volkswagen ID.4 will not be the same for everyone. However, urbanites not looking for a vehicle for long trips will be satisfied with the entry-level French car and will be won over by its agility and comfort.
On the other hand, those who want more room on board, more trunk space, and enough to cut the road if necessary will prefer the ID.4 with a 77 kWh battery to the Megane E-Tech with a fast charge, which is quite expensive to upgrade. If there are often four of you with luggage, the ID.4 will be made for you and will be more adapted than the Megane E-Tech to become the primary car of the household.