Item: Renault Megane RS
Rating: 4
Author: What Car? Team

This 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine hauled the Megane RS in Trophy trim from 0-60mph is 5.7sec, although both the Civic Type R and GR Yaris are faster still. We’ve no complaints regarding how it sounds, while the standard automatic gearbox works well.


1.8 300

Hatchback

Hatchbacks, SUVs, fast cars, electric cars: Renault makes them all, in a variety of shapes and sizes, so it has a line-up designed to tempt pretty much everyone.

From the roadside, the standout feature of them all is the design, with its cars now having a distinctive look that has won the firm a legion of fans for its flair and charm.

To drive and to own, the line-up is typically decent rather than outstanding. Best of the cars when they are rated against rivals are the Kadjar SUV, the fast RS models and the electric Zoe.

With new and used pricing also keen – and Target Price discounts through our New Car Buying marketplace usually more generous than most – there is the opportunity to negotiate an appealing price.

RENAULT

MEGANE R.S.

Visually, the most obvious upgrade Trophy brings is a set of 19in alloy wheels. Below the surface, though, you get a stiffer suspension setup, a limited-slip differential to help boost traction, a better Brembo braking system and a lighter battery to save weight. Inside you’ll find standard Alcantara upholstery on the seat centres complete with racy red stitching. There’s a bit of a price jump from the basic RS, but there’s no doubt it’s the most exciting version of the Megane.

Trophy

1.8 300 Trophy 5dr Auto

18-300-trophy-5dr-auto

Abarth 595

Audi RS3

Audi S3

BMW M135i

Cupra Leon

Ford Fiesta ST

Ford Focus ST

Honda Civic Type R

Hyundai i20N

Hyundai i30N

Mercedes A35 AMG

Mercedes A45 AMG

Peugeot 308 GTi

Renault Megane RS

Skoda Octavia vRS

Suzuki Swift Sport

Toyota GR Yaris

Vauxhall Corsa VXR

Volkswagen Golf GTD

Volkswagen Golf GTI

Volkswagen Golf R

Volkswagen Polo GTI

Volkswagen Up GTI

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Costs & verdict

Range-topping Trophy version aside, the Renault Megane RS is a bit cheaper than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>&nbsp;but&nbsp;pricier than the smaller <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/gr-yaris/hatchback/review/n22315">Toyota GR Yaris</a>. That’s true whether you’re paying cash, signing up to <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/car-leasing/leasing-guide/what-is-personal-contract-purchase/">PCP deal</a> or getting one as a company car – and it remains the case after you’ve factored in all the bills you’re likely to face during three years of ownership.

While the Trophy looks much more expensive than the basic car on paper, once you’ve factored in everything you get, including its uprated chassis, upgraded brakes and larger wheels, the gap narrows massively. If you plan on doing a few track days, it’s the one to go for.

Standard equipment is pretty generous and includes climate control, LED headlights, rear parking sensors and keyless entry. We’d recommend metallic paint, but that’s it in terms of options. All models happily get automatic emergency braking <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-is-aeb-and-how-does-it-work/n3283">(AEB)</a> and lane-keeping assistance as standard.

Renault finished a dismal 30th out of 31 manufacturers in the 2020 What Car? <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/2020-what-car-reliability-survey-brands/n20069">Reliability Survey</a>, far behind Toyota in third, Honda in eighth and Volkswagen in 20th.

Every new Renault carries a five-year warranty with no mileage limit for the first two years, but a 100,000 limit applies thereafter. Renault also provides three years (or 60,000 miles) of roadside assistance cover.

For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter <a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a>

Whether you go for the regular Megane RS 300 or the Trophy version, you get a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine pumping out 296bhp.

That’s more than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n183">Hyundai i30N</a> and regular <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf-gti/hatchback/review/n149">VW Golf GTI</a>, but less than the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;let alone the bonkers <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/a-class/hatchback/review/n17170">Mercedes-AMG A45</a>. The similarly priced <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/gr-yaris/hatchback/review/n22315">Toyota GR Yaris</a> (with the Circuit pack) has less&nbsp;power too, although its featherweight build and four-wheel drive give it the edge.

Not that the Megane RS is particularly podgy – while it does tip the scales at more than the Civic Type R, it’s lighter than the i30N and the A45, which has a heavy four-wheel drive system to lug around.&nbsp;The Trophy version shaves off a further 18kg with lighter brakes that prove exceedingly fade-resistant, and a lithium-ion battery. Lightweight wheels are on the options list and save another 2kg per corner.

As a result of all that, the Megane RS is no slouch, and the Trophy managed 0-60mph in 5.7sec during our tests. Acceleration isn’t as eye-widening as you might hope, though – especially in the higher gears. Instead, it’s the noises the engine makes when you’re in Sport or Race mode that are its most satisfying feature. This is one of the best-sounding <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hot-hatches-2021/n17005">hot hatches</a> currently on sale, and the Trophy offers even more snap, crackle and pop.

What’s more, its four-wheel steering system is no gimmick – it not only gives the RS an incredibly tight turning circle, but also helps to improve agility on winding roads, especially in Race mode. You feel as though the car is pivoting around you, especially in the sort of tight hairpins that front-wheel drive cars usually struggle with. One word of warning, though: it’s a sensation you’ll either love or hate and some people find it disconcerting, especially in wet conditions.

Something else to bear in mind is that there’s no limited-slip differential (LSD) to help the standard Megane RS put its power down. That means you either have to be patient with your right foot or accept that a little wheelspin and the tendency of the nose to run wide are all part of the fun.

It's better to fork out a bit extra for the Trophy, because this brings an LSD that allows you to use much more power when accelerating out of corners, even if it can still feel like someone has hacked into the steering and is fighting you for control, due to the way the engine’s torque tugs the wheel left and right in your hands.

In non-Trophy form, the car rides bumps and broken road surfaces reasonably well, even though it’s not as forgiving as the Civic Type R or <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf/hatchback/review/n17162">VW Golf R</a>. As for the stiffer (though not lower) suspension that Trophy-spec brings, it helps the Megane RS control its body movements even better through quick changes of direction. The pay-off is a tendency to bounce and jostle you around when you’re not driving as though there’s a tornado on your tail.

As with many hot hatchbacks, you can only have the Megane RS as an automatic. The six-speed&nbsp;dual-clutch gearbox is smooth enough in every day driving and quick to respond to manual commands, especially in Race mode. Even so, we prefer the extra layer of interaction you get from the manual 'boxes in the Civic Type R and GR Yaris.

OUR PICK

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Gearbox

0-62 MPH

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18-300

The pressure of making the latest Renault Megane RS match its&nbsp;predecessor must have been intense –&nbsp;like shooting the Godfather Part II after the spectacular success of&nbsp;the original film.

The previous&nbsp;Megane RS was one of the greatest hot hatches ever, so&nbsp;the job of designing and building this follow-up&nbsp;was undoubtedly daunting in the extreme.&nbsp;It’s not just the past this latest car has to live up to, either. There are lots of extremely talented rival cars out there too.

For a start, there’s the 2021 What Car? Hot Hatch of the Year, the tiny tearaway that is the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/toyota/gr-yaris/hatchback/review/n22315">Toyota GR Yaris</a>. There's also&nbsp;the car that took the title last year, the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>. Of course, we can’t talk about hot hatches without mentioning&nbsp;the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf-gti/hatchback/review/n149">VW Golf GTI</a>, and the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/hyundai/i30/hatchback/review/n183">Hyundai i30N</a> is fantastic fun&nbsp;too.

To help it compete, <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault">Renault</a> has used everything in its arsenal, including four-wheel steering to improve agility and the sort of sophisticated suspension tech you’d usually expect on a rally car. Under the Megane RS's bonnet lives a 1.8-litre turbocharged engine that’s shared with the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/alpine/a110/coupe/review/n185">Alpine A110</a> sports car.

If you prefer your <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-hot-hatches-2021/n17005">hot hatches</a> fast and fun but still easy to live with, the regular Megane RS is aimed squarely at you. If, on the other hand, you think a great hot hatch should be about maximum thrills whatever the consequences, we’d point you towards the more focused Trophy version. It&nbsp;gains stiffer suspension and, crucially, a limited slip differential (LSD).

In this review, we’ll tell you about all versions of the Megane RS, including how they compare with their rivals, what the handling, comfort and running costs are like,&nbsp;and what else you should consider before buying. If you're more interested in the regular Renault Megane hatchback, it's reviewed in full <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/megane/hatchback/review/n17219">here</a>.&nbsp;

Whichever car you decide is the right make and model for you, you can use the free What Car?&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/new-car-deals">New Car Buying</a> service to find big savings off the list price, potentially saving thousands without having to haggle. There are some tempting&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/make/renault/megane-rs/hatchback/deals">Megane RS deals</a>&nbsp;available right now.

Do you like your hot hatches restrained inside (think <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volkswagen/golf-gti/hatchback/review/n149">VW Golf GTI</a>) or to scream ‘go faster’ like a <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>? Well, the Megane RS's interior look comes somewhere between those two.

There’s red stitching and RS badging on the seats and steering wheel, a set of aluminium pedals and some dubious rubberised trim around the door armrests that’s supposed to look like carbon fibre. Trophy models add Alcantara suede trim to the wheel and seats.

There’s a decent spread of soft-touch plastics and sharp digital displays to make it feel a little more plush than a Type R, although quality is nothing to write home about. Still the only hot hatches that are notably classier inside in this price bracket are the <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/1-series/hatchback/review/n20208">BMW M135i</a> and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a3/hatchback/review/n17152">Audi S3</a>&nbsp;–&nbsp;and neither of those is nearly as fun to drive.

The Megane RS’s infotainment isn’t class leading, but it’s better than the Civic Type R’s. Still, the big 9.3in touchscreen is pretty responsive to your commands and has sharp graphics, although its menus are a bit more confusing than the best systems, including the ones in the&nbsp;M135i and S3.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>/<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a> are included as standard, allowing you to bypass many of Renault’s own infotainment features and use apps on your smartphone through the screen.

The driving position is fundamentally sound, with pedals that line up neatly with the seat and steering wheel. The pedals themselves are thoughtfully laid out, and even the standard seats grip you reasonably well around the shoulders during vigorous driving.&nbsp;

You might think the regular Megane RS's&nbsp;front seats are&nbsp;angled too aggressively, but the optional Recaros (standard on Trophy) solve that, and are 20mm lower. They look great and hold you in place superbly while also proving surprisingly comfortable. Over-the-shoulder visibility isn’t great due to the Megane’s hefty rear pillars, but you do get front and rear parking sensors along with a rear-view camera to help offset that.

The Mégane RS isn’t the fastest hot hatch in the world, but it’s great fun to drive and cheaper than most rivals

The regular&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/renault/megane/hatchback/review/n17219">Renault Megane</a> isn’t the most practical family car there is and the RS doesn’t have any tricks up its sleeve to change that, so there’s plenty of space up front but tall adults will find it a little cramped in the back.

Similarly, while the boot looks big on paper, it’s actually dwarfed by the ones in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/honda/civic/hatchback/review/n143">Honda Civic Type R</a>&nbsp;and <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/skoda/octavia/hatchback/review/n17187">Skoda Octavia vRS</a>.

You’ll still fit a good-sized weekly shop in the boot, but it’s a pity that more thought hasn’t gone into making the most of the space. The high load lip and wide rear bumper mean it’s awkward to lift heavy items inside, and folding the 60/40 split-folding rear seats leaves a step in the extended load bay.

There are lots of handy storage spaces in the front of the car, including door bins that will take a bottle of drink&nbsp;and are carpeted to stop loose items like keys rattling around. You also get two cup holders in the centre console and&nbsp;a cubby under the front armrest, while the tray in front of the gearlever has USB and 12v sockets so it's&nbsp;handy for charging your mobile phone.

Even the entry-level model is well equipped, with wider wheel arches to cover its fat tyres, and racier bumpers, four-wheel steering, 18in alloy wheels, LED lights front and rear, auto lights and wipers, dual-zone climate control, front and rear parking sensors, a rear-view camera, cruise control and figure-hugging seats.


R.S.

megane-rs

R.S. Trophy

trophy

If you’re after some excitement in your life, there are few more thrilling hot hatches than the Megane RS. Its standard four-wheel steering gives it incredible agility and, while it’s not as fast as some rivals, its 1.8-litre engine sounds terrific. However, the Civic Type R is a more practical and slightly less lairy alternative while the GR Yaris is the hot hatch to beat.

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Engaging handling </li> <li>Thrilling performance </li> <li>A characterful engine with an enticing soundtrack </li> <li>Reasonable running costs </li> <li>Not hard to live with day to day</li></ul>

A popular choice with UK buyers since the days of the original Volkswagen Golf GTI, the hot hatchback mixes everyday practicality with higher performance and the sort of handling and agility that’s ideally suited to British roads. A good hot hatch should be fun and, since it’s likely to be your daily drive, it should also deliver respectable running costs.

The Golf GTI remains one of the best hot hatches on the market, along with its main competitor,&nbsp;the&nbsp;equally as responsive and cheaper to buy Hyundai i30 N. But there are some terrific options for even less money than both of these cars. We're big fans of the Ford Fiesta ST, which is definitely one of the best hot hatches ever and certainly one of the most fun to drive. It's full of character and its engaging handling makes it a bit of a hoot at all speeds.&nbsp;

If you’ve got a bit more money to spare, there are even faster cars available, such as the Honda Civic Type R. This latest version is sublime to drive, either on road or on a track, as it's so sweetly balanced. It's also incredibly quick in a straight line&nbsp;and round a corner, and yet it's as practical as a regular Civic.&nbsp;

Renault Megane RS review

Introduction

What Car? says...