Renault have upped their game considerably with the mkIV Megane, and they had to. The last generation was a lacklustre, forgettable automobile that will surely not be missed.

The new model has a much greater premium feel about it, Renault have given it a planted, dynamic stance with balanced proportions thanks to an increase in length (64mm), a reduction in height and a rear tracks that are the widest in its class.

Precise creases and pronounced arches shrink around the wheels – made possible thanks to revised suspension geometry – with broad, sculpted shoulders lend the Megane a real sense of strength and security. It all looks very taught, very robust.

It’s instantly recognisable as a Renault, thanks to a number of shared styling cues. Distinctive headlamps with C-shaped LED running lights flank the firm’s large diamond logo. The rear lights are as equally eye-catching with slim elements that reach out towards the centre of the car, separated only by the width of the boot-mounted badge.

The styling gives the Megane a much more upmarket feel compared to the model that it’s replaced.

Inside is a similar story, where soft-touch, tactile materials combine with excellent ergonomics and first-class build quality to reinforce the premium feel. The Megane is not short of standard equipment either, with the GT Nav model that I tested equipped with Renault’s Visio safety system – Lane departure warning, traffic sign recognition and automatic high/low beam – rear parking camera, cruise control, 18in diamond cut alloys, dual zone climate control, R-LINK 2 multimedia system, automatic wipers and full LED headlights, plus 4Control four-wheel steering.

You also get Renault’s Multisense personalised driving modes and ambient lighting technology.

Despite the increase in length, passenger is adequate, rather than exceptional. Four six-footers can travel in reasonable comfort but the front seats do eat into rear legroom a little. The Renault is, however, nice and wide so there’s ample shoulder room.

The boot is a generous 434 litres with the rear seats in place and it’s a good shape but there’s a significant lip to negotiate when loading luggage. Fold the rear seats flat and the 1,237 litres falls short compared to some of its closest rivals.

There are plenty of cubby holes and storage compartments, including the flock-lined door bins and trinket track, for all the oddments that car-owners seem to accumulate but the glovebox is compromised by having to share space with the fuse panel.

Beneath the bonnet of my test model – a GT Nav spec – is Renault’s 1.6-litre 165hp four-cylinder diesel.

The positive impression created by the upmarket styling and top notch build quality continues on the road. The Megane is very quiet, with barely a whisper of wind noise originating around the front pillars at higher speeds. Its excellent refinement is complemented by its comfort, which is also of the highest standard.

That GT suffix means, however, that this particular model has to be a little more than quiet and comfortable, it also has to be quick, agile and fun and, sadly, it struggles to deliver fully on those three expectations.

The steering is nicely weighted under normal driving conditions, and precise too, but press on and, through faster corners, there’s a very obvious lack of additional heft. It’s also largely devoid of feel, leaving the driver feeling disconnected and uninvolved.

There’s ample front-end grip and body control is excellent, but rapid progress is constantly undermined by the wheels failure to communicate precisely what’s going on at the sharp end.

The brakes work well, but again there’s not a lot of pedal feel,

The four-wheel steering system turns front and rear wheels in opposite directions at lower speeds to improve agility and tighten up the turning circle. At higher speeds the wheels move in the same direction, improving stability when changing lanes.

It works well on motorways but on slower, more intricate routes, the rear-steering can impact on the driving experience too much, and too quickly, and can be a little disorientating.

Performance sits on the cusp of warm hatch territory. The sprint to 62mph takes 8.8 seconds while top speed is 133mph. There’s a generous slug of torque to play around with, helping the six-speed auto deliver a relaxed, unflustered drive.

If you want to press on, however, the transmission’s character changes, and not for better. Suddenly, rather than delivering smooth, unobtrusive changes it becomes uncertain, intermittently hesitant and overly zealous.

The Megane, in diesel GT spec at least, should be considered a grand tourer in every sense. It isn’t at its best tackling tight and twisty, point and shoot routes, it’s much happier, and consequently so will buyers be, cruising along dual carriageways and motorways, where its talents can be exploited, enjoyed and, indeed, revelled in.

Renault Megane GT Nav dCi 165 Auto EDC

Price: £27,990

As tested: £30, 950

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cylinder diesel

Transmission: 6-speed auto EDC

Max power: 165hp @ 4,000rpm

Max torque: 380Nm @ 1,750rpm

Max speed: 133mph

Acceleration (0-62mph): 8.8sec

Combined: 61.4mpg

Emissions (CO2): 120g/km

For more information visit www.renault.co.uk