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BMW i3 vs Renault Megane
Selected trim120Ah · 2018-22193 mi · 42.2 kWh · £35,180
At a glance
In this comparison, BMW i3 stays competitive across the board, while the Renault Megane leads on value for money, motorway range and family practicality.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Renault Megane if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you have a family - it has the best combination of boot space, safety, and rear legroom
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Renault Megane wins almost every category - it's the clear choice unless price is the deciding factor.
ValueRenault
BMW
3.4
Renault
7
Motorway RangeRenault
BMW
2.8
Renault
7.5
FamilyRenault
BMW
4.9
Renault
8.9
ChargingRenault
BMW
2
Renault
8.7
Cost Per MileRenault
BMW
5.4
Renault
8
City Driving
BMW
8.7
Renault
8.3
Too close to call
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Renault Megane
Techno 67kWh
- £3,185 cheaper
- 113 miles more WLTP range
- 180 litres more boot space
- 115 kW faster rapid charging
- 18 min quicker 10-80% rapid charge
- 35 kW more power
- 1 more seat
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Renault MeganeTechno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,180 | £31,995 (better) |
| Official range | 193 miles | 306 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 260 L | 440 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 42 min | 24 min (better) |
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 7.6 sec |
Size Comparison
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BMW i3
Renault Megane
Length
BMW i34,006mm-194mm
Renault Megane4,200mm
Width
BMW i31,775mm
Renault Megane1,768mm-7mm
Height
BMW i31,598mm
Renault Megane1,505mm-93mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Renault MeganeTechno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,006 mm | 4,200 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,775 mm | 1,768 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 1,999 mm (better) | 2,017 mm |
| Height | 1,598 mm | 1,505 mm |
| Turning circle | 9.9 m (better) | 10.4 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 625 mm spare | 632 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Renault MeganeTechno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 260 L | 440 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1100 L | 1332 L (better) |
| Frunk | Not available | 0 L |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
BMW i3
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Renault Megane
- 306 mile WLTP range, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- Peak DC charging of 165 kW, faster than 100% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
Full specifications
| Specification |  BMW i3 120Ah |  Renault Megane Techno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.01m | 4.20m+194mm |
| Width | 1.77m | 1.77m-7mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.00m | 2.02m+18mm |
| Height | 1.60m | 1.50m-93mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.57m | 2.69m+115mm |
| Ground Clearance | 160mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 260L | 440L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | 1100L | 1332L (better) |
| Seats | 4 | 5 (better) |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 9.9m (better) | 10.4m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,320kg (better) | 1,772kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 42.2kWh | 67kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 193 mi | 306 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 50kW | 165kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,180 | £31,995 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £35,180 (not eligible) | £28,245 (-£3,750) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Available | 2018–2022 | 2026+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Renault MeganeTechno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 193 miles | 306 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 129 miles | 255 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 42 min | 24 min (better) |
| Max rapid charge rate | 50 kW | 165 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 152 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 37.9 kWh | 67 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | LFP |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Standard (better) |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Renault MeganeTechno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.3 sec (better) | 7.6 sec |
| Power | 125 kW | 160 kW (better) |
| Torque | 250 Nm | 300 Nm (better) |
| Drivetrain | RWD | Not available |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
BMW i3
120Ah
Renault Megane
Techno 67kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Renault MeganeTechno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £10,790 | £25,699 |
| Average used price | £12,760 | £26,847 |
| Active used listings trackedIndependent UK dealer listings seen in the last 90 days. | 11 listings | 12 listings (better) |
| Recent used-price trend | Up 142% over ~6 months | Broadly flat |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - BMW i3 120Ah
Tested 2013
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant82%
Vulnerable Road Users57%
Safety Assist55%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Renault Megane Techno 67kWh
Tested 2022
Adult Occupant85%
Child Occupant88%
Vulnerable Road Users65%
Safety Assist79%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | BMW i3120Ah | Renault MeganeTechno 67kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
BMW i3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Renault Megane
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
BMW i3
- £29,9952021EVHEROView
- £12,4992019Cars2View
- £11,1952018Drive GreenView
Renault Megane
- £25,6992026Cars2View
- £27,9952026Cars2View
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW i3 worth the extra £3,185 over the Renault Megane?
The BMW i3 costs £3,185 more than the Renault Megane. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Renault Megane is not just cheaper - it also offers 113 miles more WLTP range, 115 kW faster peak rapid charging and 180 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Renault Megane comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the BMW i3 or the Renault Megane?
The Renault Megane is £3,185 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Renault Megane comes out roughly £3,265 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the BMW i3 and Renault Megane like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 129 miles for the BMW i3 and 255 miles for the Renault Megane - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Renault Megane goes roughly 126 miles further between charging stops. A rapid charge to 80% takes around 42 minutes in the BMW i3 and 24 in the Renault Megane, so the Renault Megane loses less time at each stop. That makes the Renault Megane the stronger long-distance car.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the BMW i3 or the Renault Megane?
The two are within 7 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 632 mm of total clearance for the Renault Megane and about 625 mm of total clearance for the BMW i3. The BMW i3 also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the BMW i3 or the Renault Megane?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 88% battery health for the BMW i3 and 90% for the Renault Megane. That gives the Renault Megane a modest edge in retained real-world range. The Renault Megane's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the BMW i3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More BMW i3 comparisons
More Renault Megane comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the BMW i3 and Renault Megane rank among EVs under £40,000Where the BMW i3 and Renault Megane rank among the best small electric carsWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Megane rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Megane rank among the best city EVsWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Megane rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the BMW i3 and Renault Megane rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used BMW i3 (2013-2022): 60Ah vs 94Ah vs 120Ah, REx, Warranty & What to Check
A used BMW i3 buyer’s guide: the three battery sizes, i3 vs i3s, the range extender explained, battery warranty left, the motor electronics fault to ask about, real-world range, what to pay and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Renault Megane E-Tech: 2022-2024 vs 2024-on, Range, Warranty & What to Check
A used Renault Megane E-Tech buyer’s guide: optimum charge vs comfort range, heat pump by trim, warranty left, real-world range, owner-reported faults, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .