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Digitally speaking, Renault has been in bed with Google for some time. The OpenR Link multimedia system integrates the tech giant’s familiar tool box, including Google Maps, the Google Play app store and Google Assistant voice control, in an interface that borrows much from the Android smartphone operating system and Android Auto in-car app. Versions of it feature across Renault’s more recent models, including the all-electric Megane, Scenic and Renault 5.
In the Megane and Scenic, the 12.3-inch portrait touchscreen uses a system of tiles to put your most used apps in view. It’s intuitive if you’re familiar with Android Auto, but Apple users may take more time to become familiar with it. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, if you prefer.
But the real advantage of Renault’s system is that physical buttons are retained for all of the key functions. The climate control and de-misting settings have switches under the screen, there’s a stalk on the steering column for the stereo and, in the Scenic, the press of one button can engage all your pre-selected settings for the various driver-assistance technology in one go.
The Google elements integrate pretty seamlessly with the car’s own functions. A fixed menu along the top of the screen allows you to jump to the homescreen, the audio system, the phone menu, the app store or the vehicle’s settings with one press. This ability to jump to your preferred location in the menu system without having to return to the home screen is something a few other manufacturers could learn a lot from.
