HATCH buyers – do not automatically buy that Hyundai i30/Toyota Corolla/Ford Focus/Mazda3/Subaru Impreza/VW Golf without scoping out the new Renault Megane hatch first.

Priced from an astonishingly low $22,990, the Turkish-built French five-door blends reliable Nissan engineering and fresh European design in an inexpensive and feature-packed small car package.

Blemishes are few – a rowdy ride being the most disappointing – but its virtues are many, meaning that the latest Megane deserves due consideration. In no way is it an overall class leader, but you could do worse.