Renault Megane 225 2005 review

Possibly because there is no front lawn, but more likely because spending time on a car is seen as an activity pursued only by the most fanatical of motoring enthusiasts.

In an attempt to hide the dirt, motorists with little care for washing their cars choose drab grey, black, olive green or military blue paintwork.

But there are exceptions, because Europe is, as a whole, an exception.

Explore the 2005 Renault Megane range

• Renault Megane convertible 2005 review: snapshot
• Renault Megane 2005 review
• Renault Megane hatchback 2005 review
• Renault Megane CC 2005 review
• Renault Megane 225 2005 review

Like the marmalade Renault Sport Megane 225, complete with Fanta-drenched seatbelts.

Previously on test there was a Renault Sport Clio in bright blue. With silver seatbelts.

All designed to stand out in a crowd. Not only that, but designed to have stand-out street cred, because the Renault Sport badge indicates something exceptional.

The Renault Sport Clio tested in January was smart, spirited and soulful.

The Megane 225 is a more adult interpretation, with bias on comfort and cabin room.

It is basically a Megane hatch, with more oomph, tauter suspension, bigger wheels and more luxury items.

The Megane hatch's distinctive bum remains, as does the vertical rear window and wheel-at-each-corner stance.

Look closer, past the orange paintwork, and you see it sits squat on the road, with an attitude that shouts aggression.

Though a tad odd in appearance, it grows on you in a macho sort of way. That aside, it's likely you'll be convincing the wife it looks nice, possibly for the rest of your life. Once inside, however, she would agree that the seats are wide and very supple, as is the ride and quietness.

Equipment includes auto up/down windows all around, clever under-floor storage areas and well-placed front armrests.

The standard kit list is exhaustive, leaving virtually nothing on the option list.

Even the turbocharger is standard, at least on the $42,000-plus 225 version tested. The 225 refers to the horsepower.

Mated with a slick, six-speed manual box, the 2-litre engine is a sparkler that will give most cars a run for their money.

Though turbocharged, the engine feels very understressed and is noted more for its stump-pulling low-speed torque than its ability to sing at high revs.

For this reason, it is an easy and almost lazy car to drive. It's quick off the mark, but its real forte is mid-range strength.

Handling is good, but only up to a point. It has a tendency to show increasing degrees of understeer precisely when you think it's actually tracking the corner very well.

As such, handling rates as very good, with the disclaimer that this is a nose-heavy vehicle. Excellent for the country, but a bit of a handful in tight corners.

In that manner, it is most unlike its nimble and virtually fault-free Clio Sport, which handles like a Mini Cooper S used to.

And though it doesn't show it, it can get very dirty when pushed hard.