AS a replacement for the Renault 19 back in the early 1990s the first generation Megane range signified the start of the Gallic carmaker's assault on the European family hatchback market.

In today's line up the Sport Tourer is the fifth member of the Megane family which features its very own elegant styling with a raked rear windscreen and curved two-part rear light clusters while adopting an extremely dynamic stance.

Longer than its hatchback stablemate, the extended wheelbase giving more rear seat kneeroom, this little gem of an estate delivers generous and user friendly loadspace plus plenty of room for five adults.

Boot access is good and while space is both practical and versatile with rear seat cushions that create a flat load floor there is also a covered storage area.

Meanwhile, the load area can be split into two and, while a fold-flat front passenger seat adds to the facilities, with all seats taken, including under floor storage, there is 486 litres of luggage space which rises to 1,567 litres with rear seats folded.

Overall the seating is comfortable and with generous adjustment available including lumbar movement, recline control, cushion height adjustment, headrest adjustment plus fore and aft rear seat travel of 240mm.

The steering wheel has height and reach adjust and the aluminium brake pedal is 30mm wider than on the Megane ll with the gap between it and the accelerator pedal wider making it easier for the driver.

Driven here is the range topping GT Line Tom Tom dCi  model which comes heavily endowed with a host of fixtures and fittings which include a very easy to use Tom Tom satellite navigation system, dual zone climate control, rear parking sensors, electrically operated door mirrors, a multi function sound system, automatic headlights and rain sensing wipers.

Safety and security are well addressed with the Renault Sport Tourer coming with ABS braking with electronic brake distribution plus electronic stability control with anti-skid regulation and understeer control.

There is also a full complement of front and rear airbagsand Renault's Anti-Intruder Device (RAID) for added security.

Interior fixtures and fittings throughout the range are of a high quality while this range-topper also gets two tone leather seating.

In surprisingly sotto voce fashion the 2.0-litre diesel engine delivers its 160bhp in a quite refined yet pretty punchy manner.

The six-speed manual gearbox is nicely sorted and with well weighted power steering responding with feeling the tout ensemble proved a good handler feeling nicely at ease on the road.

Overall this is a well priced, well kitted out fine family car built at Renault's Spanish factory at Palencia.