Renault Megane RS: Mk3 Facelift vs Mk4
Verdict
At RM197,888 versus RM279,888, the Mk4 asks RM82,000 more than the Mk3 Facelift. The newer car is the sharper number sheet: 276 hp, 390 Nm, 5.8 seconds to 100 km/h, 384 litres of boot space and RM279 road tax. For a Malaysian buyer, the outgoing Mk3 still has a case because it keeps the manual, front-drive hot hatch format, gives up only 0.2 seconds to 100 km/h and carries a larger 60-litre tank. The Mk4 is better, but not by a huge margin everywhere.
Pick the Renault Megane RS Mk3 Facelift if you want the cheaper manual C-segment hot hatch and can live with 265 hp, 360 Nm and a 344-litre boot.
Pick the Renault Megane RS Mk4 if you want the quicker, torquier and more practical car, with 276 hp, 390 Nm and a 384-litre boot.
Key differences
- Price: Mk3 Facelift RM197,888; Mk4 RM279,888
- Engine capacity: Mk3 Facelift 1,998 cc; Mk4 1,798 cc
- Output: Mk3 Facelift 265 hp/360 Nm; Mk4 276 hp/390 Nm
- Acceleration and top speed: Mk3 Facelift 0-100 km/h in 6.0 s, 250 km/h; Mk4 5.8 s, 255 km/h
- Efficiency and CO2: Mk3 Facelift 8.2 L/100 km, 190 g/km; Mk4 7.9 L/100 km, 181 g/km
- Boot and tank: Mk3 Facelift 344 L boot, 60 L tank; Mk4 384 L boot, 50 L tank
| Price & overview | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | RM 197,888✓ | RM 279,888 |
| Body type | Hatchback | Hatchback |
| Segment | C-Segment | C-Segment |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Assembly | CBU | CBU |
| Powertrain | ||
| Fuel | Petrol | Petrol |
| Engine | 1,998 cc | 1,798 cc |
| Power | 265 hp | 276 hp✓ |
| Torque | 360 Nm | 390 Nm✓ |
| Transmission | Manual | Manual |
| Driven wheels | Front Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive |
| Performance | ||
| 0–100 km/h | 6.0 s | 5.8 s✓ |
| Top speed | 250 km/h | 255 km/h✓ |
| Efficiency | ||
| Fuel economy | 8.2 L/100km | 7.9 L/100km✓ |
| EV range | 0 km | — |
| CO₂ | 190 g/km | 181 g/km✓ |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4,299 mm | 4,364 mm |
| Width | 1,848 mm | 1,875 mm |
| Height | 0 mm | 1,445 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,636 mm | 2,669 mm |
| Boot space | 344 L | 384 L✓ |
| Fuel tank | 60 L | 50 L |
| Safety | ||
| Airbags | 6 | 6 |
| Auto emergency braking | — | — |
| Ownership | ||
| Warranty | 3 | 3 |
| Road tax / year | RM 379 | 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.
Mk3 Facelift
- RM82,000 cheaper than the Mk4
- Manual gearbox and front-wheel drive, same as the Mk4
- Larger 60-litre fuel tank
- Less power and torque: 265 hp and 360 Nm
- Smaller 344-litre boot
- Higher fuel use, CO2 and road tax
Mk4
- More power and torque: 276 hp and 390 Nm
- Quicker 0-100 km/h time of 5.8 seconds
- Larger 384-litre boot
- Costs RM82,000 more than the Mk3 Facelift
- Smaller 50-litre fuel tank
- Still no listed auto emergency braking
Mk3 Facelift vs Mk4 FAQ
Is the Renault Megane RS Mk3 Facelift or Renault Megane RS Mk4 better?
The Renault Megane RS Mk4 is better on paper: it has more power, more torque, a quicker 0-100 km/h time, a larger boot, lower fuel consumption and lower road tax. The Mk3 Facelift is the value play.
What is the price difference?
The Renault Megane RS Mk4 costs RM82,000 more. That buys 11 hp, 30 Nm, a 0.2-second quicker 0-100 km/h time, 40 litres more boot space and RM100 less annual road tax.
Which one is more practical for daily use?
The Renault Megane RS Mk4 has the bigger cabin footprint and boot: 4,364 mm long, 2,669 mm wheelbase and 384 litres. The Mk3 Facelift is shorter at 4,299 mm, with a 2,636 mm wheelbase and 344-litre boot.