Comparison: Ground clearance Renault Mégane vs. competitors 2025

The Mégane III, a trusty steed from 2008 to 2016, could boast nothing more than a rather pedestrian 120 mm off the deck. Modest, yes, but practical for the city driver. Then came the Mégane IV, vaulting to a lofty 145 mm – a veritable high-jump in the world of undercarriages, offering a more cushioned ride over obstinate obstacles. But as with any ballet, there comes a dip: the current Mégane V, a 2022 model, lowers the pirouette to a more conservative 135 mm. It seems Renault has decided sheer altitude isn't everything in their latest choreography.

In the familial dance troupe of Renault's lineup, the Mégane performs with an air of middle-class respectability. Its ground clearance doesn't graze the skyscraping heights of the ark-like Renault Master {VAN} or the alpine-ready Renault Koleos, at 196 mm and 190 mm respectively. Nor does it stoop as low as the Renault Twizy, Renault Zoe E-TECH, or the Renault Clio, all pirouetting at the same 120 mm ground clearance – a figure more thrillingly risky, akin to a ballerina's pointed toe barely skimming the stage. Instead, the Mégane plays it safe, steady, and unobtrusive.

Moving to the wider stage, the Mégane dances amongst some intriguing rivals. It wouldn't want to wade into a water feature like the Mercedes-Benz GLA might, sitting at its comparably puddle-friendly 134 mm ground clearance. Meanwhile, the BMW X1 sashays with a lofty 194 mm – a clear sign of its readiness to leap over more rugged terrain. But let's not overlook the Subaru Solterra, seemingly on its tippy-toes at a lofty 210 mm – a dignified nod to its rallying pedigree. The Mégane V, meanwhile, bows slightly, conceding some vertical prowess but still maintaining a practical, if less adventurous, stature for the day-to-day urban ballet.