Car Buyer's Guide

Renault Megane RS: Mk3 vs Mk4 Facelift

Verdict

At RM234,527, the outgoing Renault Megane RS Mk3 is the lower-cost route to a 265 hp, 360 Nm hot hatch, with a six-speed manual, Cup chassis and Recaro buckets. The RM368,888 Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift costs RM134,361 more, but brings 296 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time, plus five doors and a 384-litre boot. For Malaysian daily use, its automatic, rear vents and reverse camera make the newer car easier to live with; the Mk3 is the more focused budget choice.

Mk3

Pick the Renault Megane RS Mk3 if you want the RM134,361 cheaper car with a six-speed manual, Recaro bucket seats and a 60-litre fuel tank.

Mk4 Facelift

Pick the Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift if you want 296 hp, 420 Nm, five doors and a dual-clutch automatic for daily use.

Key differences

  • Price: Renault Megane RS Mk3 RM234,527; Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift RM368,888.
  • Performance: Mk3 makes 265 hp and 360 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; Mk4 Facelift makes 296 hp and 420 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds.
  • Transmission: Mk3 has a six-speed manual; Mk4 Facelift has a six-speed wet dual-clutch automatic with paddle shifts.
  • Practicality: Mk3 has 3 doors and a 344-litre boot; Mk4 Facelift has 5 doors and a 384-litre boot.
  • Chassis: Mk3 uses a torsion-beam rear suspension and Cup chassis with a limited-slip differential; Mk4 Facelift uses multi-link rear suspension, rear-wheel…
  • Running figures: Mk3 is rated at 8.2 L/100 km with 190 g/km CO2 and a 60-litre tank; Mk4 Facelift is rated at 7.

Mk3

  • Six-speed manual gearbox and Recaro bucket seats.
  • Cup chassis with limited-slip differential.
  • 31 kg lighter and fitted with a 60-litre fuel tank.
  • Lower 265 hp and 360 Nm outputs than the Mk4 Facelift's 296 hp and 420 Nm.
  • Three-door body and 344-litre boot are less practical than five doors and 384 litres.
  • No reverse camera, navigation, Bluetooth or rear air-con vents.

Mk4 Facelift

  • 296 hp, 420 Nm and a 5.8-second 0-100 km/h time.
  • Five doors, 384-litre boot, rear vents and four auto-up/down windows.
  • Rear-wheel steering, Torsen limited-slip differential and launch control.
  • RM134,361 more expensive than the Mk3.
  • 31 kg heavier than the Mk3 at 1,405 kg.
  • 50-litre fuel tank is 10 litres smaller than the Mk3's.
Price & overview
PriceRM234,527RM368,888
Body typeHatchbackHatchback
SegmentC-SegmentC-Segment
AssemblyCBUCBU
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM379RM279
Powertrain
Engine Tech16-Valve DOHC, direct fuel injection, turbocharger with variable valve timing16-valve DOHC, Turbocharged with Direct Injection and Dual Variable Valve Timing
Capacity1,998 cc1,798 cc
Horsepower265 hp296 hp
Torque360 Nm420 Nm
FuelPetrolPetrol
Bore82.7 mm79.7 mm
Compression Ratio9.2
Drivetrain
TransmissionManualDual-clutch Automatic (Wet)
Transmission Name6MT6-speed Efficient Dual Clutch
Gears66
Transmission ManufacturerRenaultGetrag
DrivelineFront Wheel DriveFront Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h6 seconds5.8 seconds
Rated Economy8.2 L/100 km7.9 L/100 km
Top Speed250 km/h260 km/h
Co2190 g/km181 g/km
Dimensions
Length4,299 mm4,364 mm
Width1,848 mm1,875 mm
Height1,445 mm
Wheelbase2,636 mm2,669 mm
Weight1,374 kg1,405 kg
Fuel Tank60 litres50 litres
Doors35
Seats55
Boot Space344 litres384 litres
Front Tyre235/40R18245/35R19
Rear Tyre235/40R18245/35R19
Factory TyresBridgestone Potenza S001
Chassis
AssemblySpain (CBU)France (CBU)
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMacPherson Strut
Rear SuspensionTorsion BeamMulti-link
Front Wheels18" Alloy19" Interlagos Alloy
Rear Wheels18" Alloy19" Interlagos Alloy
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis NotesCup Chassis, Limited Slip DifferentialCup Suspension, Rear-wheel Steering, Torsen Limited-slip Differential, Launch Control
Crash Safety Ratings
EuroNCAP5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control
ANCAP5 stars — With 6 airbags and stability control
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Side, CurtainDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Airbag Disable Function
Child Safety LockManual for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point belts5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable for two outer rear seatsAvailable on Two Outer Rear Seats
Seatbelt ReminderAll Seats
Safety NotesTyre Pressure Monitoring System
Lighting
HeadlampsBi-Xenon ProjectorLED Projectors
TaillampsNormal bulbLED Combination
LED Daytime Running Lights
Front Foglamps
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsManual adjustment, Recaro bucketsManual Adjustment
Rear Seats60:40 Split Folding60:40 Split-folding
Front Air-conDual-zone automatic climate controlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conRear Vents
Power Sockets1x front1 Front, 1 Rear, 2 Front USB
Interior LightingMap lights, AmbientMap Lights
Cup HoldersTwo front2 Front, 3 Rear
AudioRadio CD/MP3 player with 6 speakersR-Link 2 Infotainment System with 8.7" Vertical Touchscreen and 8 Speakers
Convenience
Power WindowsTwo Windows, Driver and Front Passenger Auto Up and DownFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti-Pinch
Engine StartKeyless push buttonKeyless Push Button
LocksKeyless operationKeyless Operation
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlPassive cruise controlPassive Cruise Control
Tiptronic
Paddle Shift
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Boot OperationRemote Control Activation
Parking Sensor Rear2 Sensors4 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterDigital/Analogue
Parking BrakeElectronic
Warranty
Warranty Mileage Manufacturer100,000 km100,000 km
Warranty Manufacturer3 years3 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.

Mk3 vs Mk4 Facelift FAQ

Is the Renault Megane RS Mk3 or Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift better?

The Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift is better for daily use and outright pace, with 296 hp, five doors, a dual-clutch automatic and a 384-litre boot. Choose the Mk3 for its manual gearbox, Recaro buckets and much lower purchase price.

What is the price difference?

The Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift costs RM134,361 more than the Renault Megane RS Mk3.

Which Megane RS is more practical?

The Renault Megane RS Mk4 Facelift is more practical. It has five doors instead of three, a 384-litre boot instead of 344 litres, rear air-con vents, a reverse camera and four power windows.

More comparisons

Buying one of these? Sell your old car, get paid in 24 hours