Renault Megane

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At a glance

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A family of four with pushchair, parasol and beach bag for Luštica day trips, or a couple on an extended bay tour with luggage for two cross-border detours.

• Families with children
• Beach-kit-heavy travellers
• Plavi Horizonti regulars

The Renault Megane on Tivat roads

Behind the wheel

The Megane on LocalRent in Montenegro is still the outgoing fourth-generation car — not the narrow E-Tech crossover that replaced it, but the conventional C-segment hatch. The 1.5 Blue dCi 115 diesel is the distance-eating pick for Tivat-based renters; the 1.3 TCe 140 petrol is the keener urban choice if your week is weighted toward short Porto Montenegro hops. Both come with a six-speed manual or Renault's EDC dual-clutch auto, and both ride softer than the Peugeot 308 equivalent — the cabin is quieter at 130 km/h than the comparable French rival by a useful margin. Tall drivers find the driving position straightforward, the seats are better than photographs suggest, and the portrait touchscreen works without fuss.

On Tivat roads

The Tivat bay road plays to the Megane's strengths. The coastal cruise Tivat–Lepetane–Kamenari ferry flows in a way the firmer-sprung rivals don't, and the damping soaks up the broken-edge tarmac past Donja Lastva better than the 308 does. The Sozina road push to Podgorica is its comfort zone — set cruise at 120, the engine loafing at 1,700 rpm, the economy gauge sitting under 4.5 L/100 km. The Vrmac tunnel to Kotor is dispatched without complaint, though the 4,360 mm length shows in Porto Montenegro's tight marina bays and on the narrow final approach to Perast. The Luštica peninsula road out toward Krašići and Đurašević is perfectly comfortable, with the diesel's mid-range pull easing the low-speed climbs.

Space and load

The 434-litre boot is the largest in this line-up and the square shape genuinely matters. Three large cases and two cabin bags fit flat with a day-bag on top; fold the rear bench for 1,247 litres and a full Durmitor camping kit for two — tent, mats, two 60-litre packs, stove and cool-box — travels without stacking. Beach gear for four at Plavi Horizonti fits seats-up: chairs, parasol, cool-bag, snorkels, towels, and still room for a pushchair. Wedding-ceremony outfits laid across the rear seats arrive uncreased for a Porto Montenegro reception. For a hatch it is properly practical.

Best journeys for this car

The Megane is the family-first pick for Tivat. Couples with a pushchair-age child who want the boot space without the SUV premium, families of four doing a Tivat–Herceg Novi–Kotor ten-day loop with full beach kit, or the Plavi Horizonti regular who packs for a whole day out rather than a quick swim. It also suits business travellers on a three-day Tivat–Podgorica–Bar circuit who value a quiet cabin and good seats. It's more car than a solo marina dweller needs, and the length sometimes counts in the tightest free bays behind the bus station.

Practical notes

Real-world diesel consumption is 4.3 L/100 km at a steady 120 km/h and closer to 5.0 in mixed bay-and-town driving; the 50-litre tank delivers well past 1,100 km in gentle use, more than any single Tivat day asks. Petrol returns closer to 6.0. Parking is workable at 4.36 m — Porto Montenegro valet is uneventful, and the marina's paid lots take it with no fuss. Front-wheel drive on all-season rubber handles bay winter cleanly; chains are legally required for Žabljak and Kolašin passes if your Tivat week goes inland between November and March. Summer AC with rear vents is strong enough for four-up Lustica trips in August heat.

The verdict

Pick the Megane when the brief is family kit, long-distance calm and big-hatch boot space. Skip it if your Tivat week is a marina-based two-up routine or if you specifically want the tauter character of a 208 or 308.

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• Large Boot
• Bluetooth Audio
• Cruise Control
• Parking Sensors