Verdict
The Renault Megane RS is the faster and more practical Malaysian all-rounder: 296 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time sit alongside five doors, five seats and a 384-litre boot. The Toyota GR86 is 114 kg lighter at 1,291 kg, with rear-wheel drive, a six-speed manual and rear limited-slip differential for buyers wanting the simpler sports-car layout. But its 226-litre boot, four-seat cabin and RM767 annual road tax make it less accommodating than the Megane’s RM279 bill.
Pick the Renault Megane RS if you need 296 hp performance with five doors, five seats and a 384-litre boot.
Pick the Toyota GR86 if you want a 1,291 kg rear-wheel-drive coupe with a six-speed manual and rear limited-slip differential.
Key differences
- Power: Renault Megane RS 296 hp; Toyota GR86 234 hp.
- Torque: Renault Megane RS 420 Nm; Toyota GR86 250 Nm.
- 0-100 km/h: Renault Megane RS 5.8 seconds; Toyota GR86 6.3 seconds.
- Drivetrain and gearbox: Renault Megane RS front-wheel drive with six-speed wet dual-clutch; Toyota GR86 rear-wheel drive with six-speed manual.
- Practicality: Renault Megane RS has five doors, five seats and a 384-litre boot; Toyota GR86 has two doors, four seats and a 226-litre boot.
- Warranty: Renault Megane RS gets three years/100,000 km; Toyota GR86 gets five years/150,000 km.
Megane RS
- 296 hp and 420 Nm, with 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
- Five doors, five seats and a 384-litre boot.
- Cup suspension, rear-wheel steering, Torsen limited-slip differential and launch control.
- Heavier at 1,405 kg versus 1,291 kg.
- Three-year/100,000 km warranty trails the GR86's five-year/150,000 km cover.
- Front-wheel drive rather than the GR86's rear-wheel-drive layout.
GR86
- Lighter 1,291 kg kerb weight with rear-wheel drive and a six-speed manual.
- Five-year/150,000 km manufacturer warranty.
- Full-size spare tyre and rear limited-slip differential.
- 234 hp and 250 Nm fall well short of the Megane RS's 296 hp and 420 Nm.
- Slower 0-100 km/h time of 6.3 seconds versus 5.8 seconds.
- Two doors, four seats and a 226-litre boot are far less practical.
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM368,888 | RM296,000✓ |
| Body type | Hatchback | Coupe |
| Segment | C-Segment | Sports Car |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Ownership | ||
| Road tax / year | RM279✓ | RM767 |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine Tech | 16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing | 16-valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, naturally-aspirated with variable valve timing |
| Capacity | 1,798 cc | 2,387 cc |
| Horsepower | 296 hp✓ | 234 hp |
| Torque | 420 Nm✓ | 250 Nm |
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Bore | 79.7 mm | 94 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.2 | 12.5 |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Transmission | Dual-clutch Automatic (Wet) | Manual |
| Transmission Name | 6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch | 6-speed Manual |
| Gears | 6 | 6 |
| Transmission Manufacturer | Getrag | Toyota |
| Driveline | Front Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Performance & Efficiency | ||
| 0-100 km/h | 5.8 seconds✓ | 6.3 seconds |
| Rated Economy | 7.9 L/100 km | — |
| Top Speed | 260 km/h✓ | 226 km/h |
| Co2 | 181 g/km | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,364 mm | 4,265 mm |
| Width | 1,875 mm | 1,775 mm |
| Height | 1,445 mm | 1,310 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,669 mm | 2,575 mm |
| Weight | 1,405 kg | 1,291 kg |
| Fuel Tank | 50 litres | 50 litres |
| Doors | 5 | 2 |
| Seats | 5 | 4 |
| Boot Space | 384 litres✓ | 226 litres |
| Front Tyre | 245/35R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Rear Tyre | 245/35R19 | 215/40R18 |
| Spare Tyre | — | Full Size |
| Factory Tyres | Bridgestone Potenza S001 | Michelin Pilot Sport 4 |
| Chassis | ||
| Assembly | France (CBU) | Japan (CBU) |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson Strut | MacPherson Strut with Stabiliser |
| Rear Suspension | Multi-link | Double Wishbone with Stabiliser |
| Front Wheels | 19" Interlagos Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Rear Wheels | 19" Interlagos Alloy | 18" Alloy |
| Steering | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) | Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering) |
| Chassis Notes | Cup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential, Launch Control | Rear Limited Slip Differential |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | Driver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain | Driver and Front Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear Curtain, Driver's Knee |
| ABS/EBD | ✓ | ✓ |
| Stability Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Alarm | ✓ | ✓ |
| Immobilizer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Airbag Disable Function | ✓ | ✓ |
| Child Safety Lock | Manual for Rear Doors | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 Three-point | 4 Three-point |
| Blind Spot Info System | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISOFIX | Available on Two Outer Rear Seats | Available for 2 Outer Rear Seats |
| Seatbelt Reminder | All Seats | All Seats |
| Safety Notes | Tyre Pressure Monitoring System | Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Emergency Stop Signal (ESS) |
| Lighting | ||
| Headlamps | LED Projectors | LED Headlamps |
| Taillamps | LED Combination | LED Combination |
| LED Daytime Running Lights | ✓ | ✓ |
| Front Foglamps | ✓ | — |
| Rear Foglamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wing Mirror Turn Indicators | ✓ | — |
| Cabin | ||
| Front Seats | Manual Adjustment | Manual Adjustable |
| Rear Seats | 60:40 Split-folding | Foldable |
| Front Air-con | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control | Dual-zone Automatic Climate Control |
| Rear Air-con | Rear Vents | — |
| Power Sockets | 1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB | 1 Front, 2 Front USB |
| Interior Lighting | Map Lights | Map Lights |
| Cup Holders | 2 Front, 3 Rear | 2 Front |
| Audio | R-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 Speakers | 8" Display Audio with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto |
| Convenience | ||
| Power Windows | Four Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch | Driver and Passenger One Touch Auto Windows |
| Engine Start | Keyless Push Button | Keyless Push Button Start |
| Locks | Keyless Operation | Keyless Entry |
| Auto Headlamps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Wipers | ✓ | — |
| Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control | Passive Cruise Control |
| Tiptronic | ✓ | — |
| Paddle Shift | ✓ | — |
| Steering Audio Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Tilt | ✓ | ✓ |
| Steering Telescopic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boot Operation | Remote Control Activation | Manual Operation |
| Parking Sensor Rear | 4 Sensors | — |
| Reverse Camera | Yes | Yes |
| Folding Wing Mirrors | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Navigation | ✓ | — |
| Hill Start Assist | ✓ | ✓ |
| Instrument Cluster | Digital/Analogue | Digital/Analogue |
| Parking Brake | Electronic | Handbrake |
| Warranty | ||
| Warranty Mileage Manufacturer | 100,000 km | 150,000 km✓ |
| Warranty Manufacturer | 3 years | 5 years✓ |
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.
Used Megane RS & GR86 for sale
Megane RS vs GR86 FAQ
Is the Renault Megane RS or Toyota GR86 better?
The Megane RS is better for outright pace and daily usability, with 296 hp, five doors and a 384-litre boot. Choose the GR86 for its lighter 1,291 kg body, rear-wheel drive and six-speed manual.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS costs RM368,888 and the Toyota GR86 costs RM296,000, so the Megane RS is RM72,888 more expensive.
Which has lower annual road tax?
The Renault Megane RS has lower annual road tax at RM279, compared with RM767 for the Toyota GR86. The Renault's 1,798 cc engine is smaller than the Toyota's 2,387 cc unit.