Key facts:
Model tested: Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet
Price: £24,880
Date tested: October 2010
Road tester: Martin Gurdon

Ten Point Test rating: 79%

Renault has completed its third-generation Megane range with the reborn Coupe-Cabriolet. Its predecessor was a pioneer of the market for cars with an electrically powered steel and glass roof, and the new one refines the concept.

1. Looks 8/10
This is perhaps the best looking of the latest Megane range, helped by a clean-looking roof and windows when in coupe mode, and uncluttered lines when it's folded away. The end result is a quietly restrained vehicle.

2. Looks inside 8/10
The interior is restrained and tasteful, with well-chosen trim materials. There are either conventional dials or a slightly fussy series of digital readouts, depending on the model. There are no hard or cheap plastics on display, and the car's interior is cosseting.

3. Practicality 7/10
Front seat occupants will have little to complain about; there's plenty of room and the seats are comfortable. Rear seat occupants do less well, unless they're children, as space is at a premium, with limited legroom. Roof down in cold weather you can keep warm, and boot space with the roof up is pretty generous.

4. Ride and handling 8/10
This is no sports car, so although the steering is lifeless, it is fast and accurate. The car's ability to put 180bhp through its front wheels was very impressive but with the roof down there's a fair bit of body flexing on rough surfaces. As for the ride, even examples with big, low profile tyres were comfortable and civillised.

5. Performance 9/10
There's a turbocharged 1.2 petrol and non-turbo 1.6; we drove the latter, which proved free-revving and reasonably refined. The turbocharged 2-litre petrol engine produces a genuinely quick car, capable of 0-62 in 8.6 seconds and 140mph.

We also tried a six-speed manual diesel 1.9, which was a little rough at idle, but smoothed out on the move. It pulled cleanly, delivering maximum power from a relaxed 1,750rpm, and suited the car well.

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6. Running costs 8/10
The 2.0 GT's combined 34.9mpg mpg isn't bad, nor is its 188g/km CO2 output. The 130bhp 1.9 diesel engine returns nearly 49mpg and has a 149g/CO2 output.

7. Reliability 7/10
Renault has had some issues over the reliability and build quality of its cars in the past, but is keen to demonstrate that it has improved things recently.

8. Safety 8/10
The Coupe-Cabriolet's body is stronger than before, and there's also a range of electronic safety aids, from anti-lock brakes with brakeforce distribution, ESP, plus facilities to control understeer and regulate skidding.

9. Equipment 8/10
Features include pop-up roll bars, daytime running lights, front lateral airbags, electric windows, cruise control, air conditioning, four electric windows, automatic wipers and lights.

10. X-Factor 8/10
The Megane Coupe-Cabriolet has a wide range of engines and trim options, is comfortable, pleasant to drive and easy to live with.