2012 & 2013 Renault Coupe Reviews & Ratings

There are a number of French automakers that have become well known around the globe and one of them is Renault. Brothers Louis, Marcel and Fernand Renault founded the company in 1899. Louis would handle the design and production while his brothers maintained the business end of the company. Like many European automakers, Renault built a reputation by becoming actively involved in racing. Throughout the years a variety of vehicles would be built, not all of them automobiles, and the business ... (full review continues below)

There are a number of French automakers that have become well known around the globe and one of them is Renault. Brothers Louis, Marcel and Fernand Renault founded the company in 1899. Louis would handle the design and production while his brothers maintained the business end of the company. Like many European automakers, Renault built a reputation by becoming actively involved in racing. Throughout the years a variety of vehicles would be built, not all of them automobiles, and the business would trade hands several times. In more recent years, the company has formed an alliance with Nissan Motors that leave them ranked fourth among the world's largest automotive groups. Though the coupe is not the most common style, there have been several models of Renault Coupe manufactured over the years.

One of the most well known models of Renault Coupe is the Megane. This two door coupe was first debuted in the fall of 1995 as a replacement for the discontinued Renault 19. Much of the design of the Megane was taken from the 19, but Renault was focusing their energy on safety. They made safety a large priority in the manufacturing of the Megane and touted its safety benefits when marketing.

When the second generation of Megane was introduced in 2002 it looked almost nothing like the original. It was voted European Car of the Year in 2003 and achieved a high five star safety rating which furthered the focus on safety. The third generation was released in 2008 and featured a sporty design that would appeal to those looking for a sports car. The Megane is still in production from Renault and there have been plans to change that any time in the near future.

Another Renault Coupe that was quite popular during its run was the Laguna. This 3 door version was available from 2007 until it was discontinued in 2011. Unlike other coupes from Renault, this was actually based on a Nissan platform. Platform D is the same one used by both the Nissan Altima and the Nissan Murano. The Laguna was introduced in the hopes that it would be able to compete with coupes that Renault had previously been unable to compete with. It followed the style of the Fluence. The Fluence was a concept car that was shown in 2004 at the Louis Vuitton Car Elegance Classic in England.

While the Renault Coupe may not be as common or as popular as other styles, there have been several successful models. Some, such as the Megane, remain in production due to their popularity. Renault has a reputation of high quality regardless of the body style of the vehicle. With a variety of engine and transmission combinations, it is possible to find the coupe that works best for any particular circumstances. A history of racing and a long reputation in the industry stands behind Renault as they continue to enhance their coupe lines with new features and styles.