Mazda 3 Hatchback vs Renault Megane RS
Verdict
At RM119,620 against RM279,888, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is the rational C-segment hatch here: five seats, CBU status, 5.9 L/100 km, seven airbags, auto emergency braking and a five-year warranty. The Renault Megane RS is a very different spend, with 276 hp and 390 Nm versus 118 hp and 153 Nm, plus a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time. But the RM160,268 gap is huge, and the Mazda’s lower RM90 road tax suits a daily Malaysian bill better.
Pick the Mazda 3 Hatchback if you want the lower running costs, longer warranty and safety kit rather than outright pace.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if you want 276 hp, 390 Nm, a manual gearbox and 5.8-second 0-100 km/h performance.
Key differences
- Price: Mazda 3 Hatchback RM119,620; Renault Megane RS RM279,888
- Power and torque: Mazda 3 Hatchback 118 hp/153 Nm; Renault Megane RS 276 hp/390 Nm
- Fuel economy: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5.9 L/100 km; Renault Megane RS 7.9 L/100 km
- Top speed: Mazda 3 Hatchback 200 km/h; Renault Megane RS 255 km/h
- Boot space: Mazda 3 Hatchback 295 litres; Renault Megane RS 384 litres
- Warranty and road tax: Mazda 3 Hatchback 5 years/RM90; Renault Megane RS 3 years/RM279
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 119,620✓ | RM 279,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,496 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Power | 118 hp | 276 hp✓ |
| Torque | 153 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Conventional Automatic | Manual |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | — | 5.8 s |
| Top speed | 200 km/h | 255 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 5.9 L/100km✓ | 7.9 L/100km |
| CO₂ | — | 181 g/km |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,460 mm | 4,364 mm |
| Width | 1,795 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 1,435 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,725 mm | 2,669 mm |
| Boot space | 295 L | 384 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 51 L | 50 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 7✓ | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | Yes | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 5✓ | 3 |
| Road tax / year | RM 90✓ | RM 279 |
Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.
3 Hatchback
- Lower fuel use at 5.9 L/100 km
- Seven airbags and auto emergency braking
- Longer five-year warranty
- Much less power at 118 hp and 153 Nm
- Smaller 295-litre boot
- No 0-100 km/h figure listed
Megane RS
- Far stronger 276 hp and 390 Nm output
- 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time
- Larger 384-litre boot
- Higher fuel use at 7.9 L/100 km
- Shorter three-year warranty
- Six airbags and no auto emergency braking listed
3 Hatchback vs Megane RS FAQ
Is the Mazda 3 Hatchback or Renault Megane RS better?
For most buyers, the Mazda 3 Hatchback is the better daily choice because it uses less fuel, has a longer warranty and includes auto emergency braking. The Renault Megane RS is better if performance is the priority.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM160,268 more than the Mazda 3 Hatchback. That extra spend gets much more power, torque, boot space and speed, but also higher fuel use and road tax.
Which one is quicker?
The Renault Megane RS is quicker on the numbers, with 276 hp, 390 Nm, a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time and 255 km/h top speed. The Mazda 3 Hatchback has 118 hp, 153 Nm and a 200 km/h top speed.