Renault Megane E-Tech Electric 217 vs Honda Civic e:HEV: which is truly faster?

Off the line, the Megane E-Tech Electric 217 hits 100 km/h in 7.54 s versus 8.04 s for the Civic e:HEV. The instant torque of 300 Nm from the electric motor makes the difference. At this point, the Megane E-Tech Electric 217 leads by 0.50 s and sits roughly 6 m ahead.

At 200 metres, the Megane E-Tech Electric 217 is doing 124 km/h against 121 km/h for the Civic e:HEV. The gap is 0.28 s. The challenger starts to claw back ground.

At 400 metres standing start, the Megane E-Tech Electric 217 crosses the line in 15.61 s versus 15.94 s. The 0.33 s gap represents roughly 14 m of track — two to three car lengths.

Past 400 metres, the situation changes. The Megane E-Tech Electric 217 maxes out at 160 km/h while the Civic e:HEV keeps accelerating towards 180 km/h. At 600 metres, the gap has dropped to 0.22 s.

Around 713 metres, both vehicles are level. This is the inversion point: the Civic e:HEV overcomes its launch deficit thanks to a 20 km/h higher top speed.

At 1,000 metres, the Civic e:HEV finishes in 28.45 s versus 29.16 s. The 0.72 s delta in favour of the Civic e:HEV shows that top speed makes a clear difference.

Both rivals are electronically governed, but not at the same level: the Megane E-Tech Electric 217 is capped at 160 km/h, the Civic e:HEV at 180 km/h. This isn’t a physical engine limit — it’s a manufacturer choice, usually for tyre safety or homologation reasons. Neither car reaches its true aerodynamic top speed.

Instant electric torque gives an advantage off the line. The higher top speed of the combustion engine gives an advantage over longer distances. The distance at which one catches the other depends on the top speed differential.

In European road use (130 km/h max), both vehicles reach the legal speed limit in under 12.00 seconds. The 0.50 s difference in 0 to 100 km/h is mostly felt in motorway merging and overtaking.